As Executive Director of KMTA, Rachel oversees the organizations's strategic direction, program development, and overall operations. She is a community and environmental health advocate with over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, education, and research. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and International Studies from Southwestern University, and a Masters in Marine in Environmental Affairs from the University of Washington. She has a deep respect for nature and a passion for helping expand access to the outdoors. As an avid outdoor enthusiast herself, you can find Rachel spending her spare time recreating with her family and dogs in Alaska's beautiful forests, mountains, and waters (many of her favorite which lie in the KMTA corridor).
You can reach her at rachelblakeslee@kmtacorridor.org.
Born and raised in Homer Alaska, Josh has a deep appreciation for the Alaskan wilderness and a desire for the next generation to see the outdoors as a space where they belong. This desire led him to work with kids on Mount Humphreys for Camp Colton and eventually to KMTA. As the Outdoor Education Programs Coordinator, Josh works to empower young learners by combining adventure and education in the outdoor classroom. He holds a B.A. in Social Sciences with a concentration in History from the University of Alaska Southeast. Outside of work, Josh can be found romping around in nature near his home in Anchorage or seasonally commercial fishing for salmon in the wild rivers of Bristol Bay.
You can reach him at jvantrease@kmtacorridor.org.
As KMTA’s Seward-Based Program Coordinator, Callie loves connecting young people to their local stories and landscapes through inquiry-based exploration. Callie’s focus is on outdoor education programming that serves the kids, students and families of Seward, Moose Pass, Cooper Landing, and Hope. Callie is a long-time Seward resident who comes to KMTA with a background in outdoor and environmental education. She holds a BA in Elementary Education from University of Oregon and has worked locally in education with the Alaska SeaLife Center and Kenai Fjords National Park. Callie is passionate about getting kids outside! She loves that KMTA’s locally focused curriculum offers hands-on learning experiences that encourage appreciation and stewardship of our local National Heritage Area.
You can reach Callie at callie@kmtacorridor.org
Lily is originally from Ohio and holds a BS in Communications from the Media School at Ohio University. After graduation, she spent six years working at award-winning advertising agencies in London, England, developing strategies and influencer campaigns for international brands. In April of 2023, Lily relocated to Seward and has loved being able to explore her surroundings with her dogs.
You can reach Lily at lily@kmtacorridor.org
