Our Team

Veronica Vega, Vámonos Outside Program Specialist

Veronica Vega (she,/her) is a first generation Mexican-American and has always made her mami wonder why she is forever drawn to the woods and can’t sit still. She is a […]

Eduardo Romero, Vámonos Outside Program Specialist

My name is Eduardo Romero and I was born in Bend, Oregon. Unlike many other Latinx I was fortunate enough to get into the outdoors. I participate in most of the major […]

Molly Alles, NatureHoods Coordinator and Camp Chica Instructor

  Molly Alles (she/her) was born and raised among the mountains, forests, and rivers of Trinity County; schooled, trained, and refined as an educator among the Redwood forests and rugged […]

Wesley Heredia, Vámonos Outside Program Manager

Wesley Heredia (he, him) serves as the Vámonos Outside Program Manager.  Wes, an avid snowboarder and rock climber, was born in Los Angeles, California. He has been a field instructor […]

Katie Chipko, Executive Director

Katie Chipko (she, her) has been with NatureConnect Central Oregon since 2012.  She holds a deep belief in the many positive benefits that time outdoors provides for individuals, families, and […]

Board of Directors

 

Jocelyn Blevins

STEAM teacher, Sisters Elementary

 

Monica Bergmann Perez

Bilingual Speech Language Pathologist, High Desert ESD

 

Kathya Avila Choquez

Latino Community Specialist, Bend Park and Recreation District

 

Gwen Jones (Past President)

Program Manager, Central Oregon Health Council

 

Lauren Williams (President)

Associate Director, The Environmental Center

 

Kecia Kubota

Executive Director, Camp Fire Central Oregon

 

Pat Addabbo

Executive Director, Oregon Adaptive Sports

 

Christina Cid (Vice President)

Director of Special Projects, High Desert Museum

 

Presley Quon (Secretary)

Communications and Community Relations Manager, Mt. Bachelor

 

Katie Ryan (Treasurer)

Executive Director, Wetlands Conservancy

 

Priscilla Calleros

Events and Outreach Manager , The Environmental Center

 

Anastasia Lugo Mendez

Forest Archeologist, Deschutes National Forest

 

Alex Enna (ex officio)

Partnerships Program Manager, Deschutes National Forest

 

Rochelle Williams (ex officio)

Regional Director of School Improvement, High Desert ESD

 

 

 

Inclusiveness

 

NatureConnect Central Oregon welcomes students and participants of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military or marital status, age, sensory, physical or mental disability to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students and participants of our programs.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity: NatureConnect Central Oregon does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, age, citizenship or any other basis prohibited by law in any of its policies or programs.