The Board of Directors of Friends of the San Juans is delighted to announce the appointment of Eva Schulte as Executive Director. Eva brings her passion for the Salish Sea and extensive executive leadership experience across the social sector to Friends. She begins the first week of April.
Ken Carrasco, President of the Board of Friends of the San Juans, said “We are thrilled that Eva will be leading Friends into the future as our new Executive Director. Eva will join our highly skilled and dedicated staff and move us forward to become even more accomplished in protecting what we all love—the San Juans Islands and the Salish Sea!”
Eva is finalizing her work as Executive Director for Whatcom Community College Foundation, leading community support for students and strategic educational initiatives across our bioregion. Eva is also an Executive Committee Board Director for the Sierra Club Foundation and chairs that Foundation’s national Grants Committee.
During her career, Eva has driven lasting and systemic change throughout the social sector for the health and dignity of people and our planet. Eva previously directed impact investing and economic opportunity in support of American Indian communities through her work as vice president for Travois, a Best for the World™ Certified B Corporation. Prior to that, Eva was president and CEO of a community-based organization in the heartland that achieved regional and national public policy victories to move human dignity to the center of public life.
“There is nothing more important at this time than the proactive synergy required to solve the climate crisis for people and nature. I love our Island archipelago and surrounding communities and feel fortunate each day to live and work in the homelands and territories of the Coast Salish peoples.” said Eva.
Friends of the San Juans was formed in 1979 to help preserve the beauty, character, and
wildness of the Islands in the face of increasing development. Friends works locally and
regionally using innovative public-private partnerships, applied science, legal advocacy, and community-based initiatives to protect and restore the waters and lands of the Salish Sea and San Juan Islands for people and nature.
Chris Wolfe, Board Director of Friends, said, “Eva brings a depth of experience and vision to Friends that will advance our work in environmental advocacy, education, and restoration. It’s an exciting time for Friends of the San Juans.”
The Friends’ Board of Directors cordially welcomes you to connect with Eva as she discovers more about the places, people, organizations, and local businesses that make the San Juan Islands such a remarkable place. You can email Eva at eva@sanjuans.org.
Your Membership Matters. Make a difference in the Salish Sea! Your gift supports vital efforts such as:
- Scientific surveys to determine where eelgrass is declining and where it is healthy (and, hopefully, understanding why!)
- Tracking and advocating for safer shipping and oil spill mitigation through the waters surrounding the San Juan Islands.
- Shoreline restoration projects that help salmon flourish, which then feed the endangered Southern Resident orca.
- Educating local youth about island ecosystems and supporting them in voicing their concerns about climate change.
- Advocating for local, regional, and national environmental policy that ensures a healthy and safe future, for all, in and around the Salish Sea.