About Us
Our Staff and Volunteers
Staff
Elyssa Kerr - Executive Director
Elyssa Kerr stepped into the role of Executive Director in 2019 after nearly three years managing projects and programming for Beavers Northwest. She holds a BS from the University of Washington as well as a certificate in Nonprofit Management. Elyssa has been working in the Pacific Northwest as a restoration practitioner and environmental educator since 2014. She is passionate about exploring and maintaining the amazing habitats that beavers create and enjoys sharing the benefits of these ecosystems with people of all ages through interactive and experiential programming. She has installed many beaver management devices throughout the region and has assisted with implementing similar programs across the Western United States. When not wading through beaver ponds, she can be found exploring intertidal invertebrates on local beaches, cultivating her home garden, or reading and snuggling with her cat, Elon Meowsk.
More Information
Contact: elyssa@beaversnw.org
April Rhodes - Project Manager
April Rhodes joined Beavers Northwest in Fall 2023 as a Project Manager. She originally graduated from Seattle University in 2018 with a B.A. in Humanities for Leadership and minors in Environmental Studies and Nonprofit & Public Administration. After her time in university, she went into national and public service with the Washington Conservation Corps, where she spent five years as a restoration practitioner installing native plants, removing invasive weeds, and managing dynamic projects and teams. With a background in restoring and protecting salmon habitat, April is extremely passionate about enhancing the health and resilience of our aquatic ecosystems through beaver coexistence strategies. In her spare time, April can often be found with a cup of tea in hand whilst snuggling her cat, gaming with friends, trying desperately not to overwater her succulents, and cheering on the local Sounders FC.
More Information
Contact: april@beaversnw.org
Madison Newton - Project Manager
Madison Newton graduated in 2021 from the University of Washington with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management. Her passion and career have revolved around wildlife; from conducting studies on the intelligence of urban birds, analyzing acoustic data of PNW bats, working in veterinary and sanctuary settings, and wading among the beavers. Madison joined Beavers Northwest in 2020, since becoming a full-time Project Manager and helping facilitate beaver coexistence projects. Madison enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible, having a cup of coffee (or two), and snuggling with her two cats.
More Information
Contact: madison@beaversnw.org
Ariana Winkler - Project Coordinator
Ariana Winkler graduated from the University of Washington in 2019, earning a B.S. in Environmental Science & Resource Management and a B.A. in Environmental Studies with minors in Restoration Ecology and Quantitative Science. After college, Ariana spent two years in the Washington Conservation Corps with the Snohomish Conservation District, working to restore many streamside habitats. Her position at Beavers Northwest gives her a unique opportunity to combine her passions of wildlife conservation and water quality. When not wading through streams for Beavers Northwest, Ariana is wading through streams for Snohomish Conservation District as their Restoration Project Coordinator and Living with Beavers Program Lead. During her free time, Ariana enjoys nature walks, paddle boarding, movies, and indoor soccer.
More Information
Contact: ariana@beaversnw.org
Joe Mouser - Communications Manager
Joe Mouser graduated from the University of Washington with a B.S. in Plant Biology in 2018. In 2023, he returned to complete a Certificate in Wetlands Science and Management. His position of Communications Manager for Beavers Northwest allows him to combine his passion for wetland habitats with his skills in community engagement and outreach to make an impact on the world around him. He believes that by helping beavers and humans to coexist, we can improve the functions of the urban watersheds of our region to better serve the plants, animals, and humans that rely on them. In his spare time, you may find Joe in your local park looking for unique and interesting plants, helping to lead his softball team to victory, or cheering on the Mariners, Seahawks, and Huskies!
More Information
Contact: joe@beaversnw.org
Cole Phillips - Beaver Coexistence Technician
Cole Phillips joined Beavers Northwest in the winter of 2024 as a technician. He is currently studying at Everett Community College on a biology pathway and is working towards a Wildlife Ecology degree. He spent two years gaining experience with Tulalip Tribes and Snohomish Conservation District as a crew member and assistant supervisor in the Washington Conservation Corps. During those years in WCC, he became a community scientist for Pacific Mammal Research. He has spent countless hours sitting on the rocky bluffs of Fidalgo Island collecting data on Harbor Porpoises. Based on these experiences, Cole is most passionate about wildlife coexistence and working towards a world of human and animal cooperation. Cole spends his free time animal spotting, going for long walks, and collecting vintage maps.
Founders
Ben Dittbrenner - Founding Director
Mike Rustay - The Beaver Specialist
Thank you to Our Past UW DDCSP interns!
Alyssa Magliaro and Mary Heather Jingco
Alyssa Magliaro and Mary Heather Jingco
Alyssa Magliaro and Mary Heather Jingco
2021
Kyra Hanson
Alyssa Magliaro and Mary Heather Jingco
Alyssa Magliaro and Mary Heather Jingco
2022
Arjun Ramachandran and Maxine Haspel
Alyssa Magliaro and Mary Heather Jingco
Arjun Ramachandran and Maxine Haspel
2023
Career Opportunities
Interested in joining the team?
Currently, there are no staff openings or opportunities for volunteers. Please check back here for updates or let us know if you are interested in working with us.
Learn More:
Our Mission
Our Board of Directors
Learn about our guiding principle.
Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors
Learn about who guides Beavers Northwest.
Our Friends and Partners
Our Friends and Partners
Learn about the organizations who work with us.