Team Members
Samantha Chang, Interim Executive Director
Justene Angeles, Administrative & Bookkeeping Specialist
Hi, I'm Justene. My story begins in the small, rural community of Darrington, where I learned the value of tenacity, work ethic, and creative problem-solving early on.
Noticing the impacts GPI Youth Programs & Workforce Development had on my own children propelled my motivation to join the GPI Team.
In our spare time, my family and I enjoy various activities like trail riding on our quads, wheeling, camping, hunting, and so much more!
Ronda Traut, Development Director
Ronda is a passionate and community-focused leader, deeply rooted in the beautiful Pacific Northwest (PNW), where she was born and raised.
After graduating from Marysville Pilchuck High School in 1998, Ronda pursued her deep commitment to service, earning a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Corban University in 2002. This commitment is personal; inspired by her sister's developmental challenges, she has dedicated her career to championing youth, young adults, and individuals with disabilities.
While she brings her whole heart and soul to her work at GPI, she finds balance in enjoying life's adventures. You can find her camping, dancing at a local club or EDM festival, traveling, or relaxing at home with her husband, Alon, and their black lab, Lilly.
Julie Stone,
Julie hails from nearby in the Skagit Valley where she has spent more than a decade in environmental education. More recently, Julie earned her Masters in Elementary Education and started teaching indoors- a first for her! She has returned to GPI to finalize our forestry curriculum and lay the groundwork for future education endeavors. A mother of two, Julie spends her "free" time foraging, running, knitting, and baking sourdough.
Marlena White, Workforce Program Director
A Wisconsin native, Marlena now lives in Concrete and works in both the Darrington and Concrete communities. She's spent her career working in environmental sustainability and public health in various capacities, most recently focusing on youth substance abuse prevention in Concrete. She's excited to bring her diverse background to GPI.
In her free time, Marlena enjoys getting outside with her friends and family and referencing things she heard in a podcast in casual conversation.
Dylan Wilkerson, Workforce Program Manager
Hi, Im Dylan. The feeling of community and the love for the great Pacific Northwest brought me to Glacier Peak Institute. I enjoy spending time with my Wife and tending to the animals on our farm.
Maia Walston, Darrington Collaborative Coordinator
Maia moved to WA to attend Eastern Washington University, and never looked back. Majoring in environmental science with an emphasis in Biology, she found passion in restoration and environmental stewardship. Maia and her family moved to Darrington at the start of 2023 and have happily found their place in the community. Glacier Peak Institute plays a significant role in the Darrington Collaborative as the fiscal sponsor for Maia’s coordinator position. Through GPI, Maia finds fulfillment in working to create a better environment, in and out of the forest, for future generations.
Board of Directors
Garret Gladsjo, PE
President, GPI Board of Directors
Principal Engineer, proHNS LLC.
Samantha Chang
Interim Executive Director, GPI Board of Directors
Silviculturist, USDA Forest Service (Retired)
North Puget Sound Chapter Chair, Society of American Foresters
Raylene Arntzen
Director, GPI Board of Directors
Vice President, Carlanna Construction Inc. (Retired)
Dr. John Wesley Lauer
Secretary, GPI Board of Directors
Civil Engineering Associate Professor and Director of Environmental Sciences, Seattle University
Lisa Mahr
Director, GPI Board of Directors
Owner, Northwest Mining Solutions, LLC
Anjolene Ngari
Director, GPI Board of Directors
Collaborative Forestry Manager, Hampton Lumber
Marree Perrault
Director, GPI Board of Directors
Darrington Prevention, Intervention, and Community Coalition Coordinator, North Counties Family Services