Board
Michael Knapp (he/him)
Co-Creator and Board Chair, Business Owner
A native Oregonian, Michael owns a boutique real estate financing business, located in the heart of downtown Portland. As a member of the global network Entrepreneur’s Organization, he also serves on the aforementioned board as the Strategic Partnership Chair. His work within residential and commercial lending resulted in his invitation to join the regional 80/20 Club of Mortgage Professionals. A former fish biologist with a B.S. in fisheries biology from Oregon State University, Michael enjoys volunteering his time educating children within the Salmon Watch program. Since 2005, he has served on the Board of Bridge Meadows in Portland. When he is not working, Michael enjoys fly-fishing, ultimate Frisbee and sampling Portland’s epicurean delights.
Laurie McDowell (she/her)
Board Vice Chair, Former Educator – 30 years
I have been involved with Salmon Watch since I began teaching middle-school science in 1993. I am and have been delighted with the curriculum, support, and volunteer educators that helped inform my classroom, both inside and outside. I was fortunate to be able to take my students on field trips to the Cascades and Coast Range over the years, opening up a whole new experience in the outdoors that they might not otherwise have gotten.
Since I retired four years ago, I have joined the ranks of the volunteer educators. I am thrilled that I have the opportunity to share my love of macroinvertebrates and stream-side habitat with students. I enjoy sharing with students just how important a healthy watershed is for them, our community, and the Pacific Northwest.
Salmon Watch is an incredible and valuable program that keeps us all connected to our vital natural resources of which we are privileged to be a part. It’s up to us to keep it going for future generations.
Joel Sebastian (he/him)
Board Secretary, University Professor/Researcher
Joel is a Professor of Practice at the University of Oregon’s Center on Human Development, where he co-leads the PeerLearning.net pedagogical and research initiatives. With nearly 30 years of experience in K–12 and postsecondary education, his work centers on innovation and student-centered learning. Dr. Sebastian has held leadership roles as a principal, district coordinator, and postsecondary pathways strategist, and has been recognized for his contributions to nonviolence education and the arts. He holds a Doctor of Education in Methodology, Policy, and Leadership from the University of Oregon and continues to advance collaborative, future-ready learning environments through teaching, research, and service. Joel has served the WSC since 2016
Chris Jones (he/him)
Board Treasure, Operations & Finance Director
Justin Dauphinais (he/him)
Board Member, Consultant
Justin Dauphinais a proud father of three daughters and one son and a member of the Turtle Mountain
Band of Chippewa Tribe. Justin has a strong sense of his Anishinaabe/Ojibwe/Chippewa culture and
traditions that have been passed on to him by his father and many other elders. Mr. Dauphinais has
been involved with and participated in various non-profit organizations and environmental groups
throughout his life. Justin Dauphinais has a B.A. in Geology from Minot State University in North Dakota
and is a Senior Consultant at ERM with over 18 years of experience as an environmental geologist and
safety professional. Camping, hiking, fishing, running, snowboarding, and mountain biking are a few of
Justin’s favorite outdoor activities. Justin got “hooked” at Salmon Watch the first time he volunteered
and saw the glow on students faces being in nature for the first time.
Walt Hollands (he/him)
Board Member, Educator
Walt has been a science teacher for 30 years. After a few years at Oregon City High School he moved to Portland’s Grant High School, where he has been ever since. He currently teaches AP Environmental Science, having helped create and teach a Northwest Ecology course for several years. As an educator, his true passion lies in helping his students to discover the intricate workings or their Pacific Northwest ecosystems. Walt has been using the Salmon Watch curriculum since 1994 and has taken students on more than 100 field trips in his career. He earned a bachelors in Biology from the University of Colorado and a masters in teaching from Lewis and Clark College. Before teaching, he worked for a water quality consulting firm in Colorado. As a whitewater kayaker, Walt enjoys encountering wild salmon in Oregon’s rivers.
Jo’Sean Joseph
Board Member
Growing up Jj would’ve never thought he was so deeply interested in nature and the science behind it. His older brother was the first person to invite him into the outdoor spaces where he hit the ground running. Looking up to his brother he did everything that he could, following in his footsteps. Jj has been teaching and inviting others to have a good time outdoors since he was 13 years old. Now his mission is to be what his older brother was for him to other people. Nature is one of the things on earth that brings people together so why not give others the understanding and opportunity to see the beauty. During his free time, he loves doing social media content creation, gaming, and trying anything that he hasn’t tried yet. There is so much to Jj that people don’t know about. He highly recommends walking up and talking to him. If you are too shy then he probably already walked up to you first and sparked a great conversation. His Inspiration is “I know one day I won’t be here to encourage people to come outdoors. So I take the time now to represent nature and get kids to do what I do, but better.”
Liz Jensvold (she/her)
Board Member, Retired Educator
Liz grew up in central New York and then went to Oregon State University. She became a science teacher and taught high school and middle school science in upstate New York and for Portland Public Schools for over 30 years. She raised her family in Beaverton and retired 6 years ago.
Liz first became involved in Salmon Watch in the late 1980’s when asked for her suggestions regarding “What is it that teachers and schools would need to be able to get kids out in the environment to see live salmon in their natural habitat?” She thought we would need funding for field trip buses, professionals and career people to help lead the students in the field, And also equipment that the scientists use such as nets, dissolved oxygen kits and boots for wading in the water.
While teaching middle school Liz was fortunate to take several Salmon Watch field trips to the Sandy and Clackamas Rivers with her students who were able to have their “boots in the water” to observe live salmon. Liz has now become a board member and a volunteer to share this wonderful program with students.
Erin Longley (she/her)
Board Member, Strategic Partnerships Leader
Evan Melner (he/him)
Board Member, Student
From a young age, Evan has always had a profound fascination with water, nature, and the world around him. As he grew, his youthful adventures of interacting with the local garter snake population naturally evolved into pursuits like chasing wild trout, deepening his curiosity for wildlife and aquatic ecosystems. He began to recognize nature’s intricate patterns, marveling at the diversity of his local rivers, streams, and the surrounding world.
Evan is now pursuing degrees in Environmental Science and Biology at Oregon State University, where he deepens his knowledge of ecosystem functions, species biology, and wildlife conservation. He aims to leverage his education to protect, study, and raise awareness about the vital role of aquatic species in the Pacific Northwest and the habitats they depend on. Spending time on the water has profoundly enriched his life, inspiring him to support aquatic ecosystems so that others can enjoy similar opportunities.
Evan believes nature offers a space for grounding and rejuvenation, recognizing the vital role of healthy rivers as places of healing and freedom for humanity. Evan envisions a future where nature is safeguarded and celebrated as a sanctuary for discovery, play, and healing. In his free time, Evan enjoys fly fishing, along the Deschutes River and surfing on the Oregon coast, snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Sadie Normoyle (she/her)
Board Member, Strategic Funding Coordinator
Sadie grew up in Washington exploring and playing along the puget sound. She has a B.A. in Environmental Policy and American Indian studies from Western Washington University. After college she joined the Washington Conservation Corps, an americorps program, at the Department of Ecology. She then earned her law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School, focusing on environmental and Federal Indian law. While in law school Sadie was a co-founder of an environmental justice student group, and vice president of the Native American Law Students Association. Following law school, Sadie worked for a Judge in Alaska for a year before returning to Portland and working as an environmental attorney. Sadie is passionate about working to build relationships with Tribes and community groups to help address environmental justice and climate change issues. In her free time she can be found thrifting or exploring the PNW with her fiance and their mini aussie.
Staff
Isabel Sexton (she/her)
Executive Director
Isabel’s relationship with the natural world began early. Growing up in Livingston, Montana, she spent her weekends floating the Yellowstone River, and hiking the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. She pursued Environmental Studies at Lewis and Clark College, building a foundation in ecological science and water systems. Her education extended well beyond the classroom. When the pandemic interrupted her freshman year, Isabel used the opportunity to study at a marine field station in Andros, Bahamas, earning her advanced diving certifications, participating in coral propagation, and studying the role of marine species in ocean health. She spent her college summers working at a fly-fishing lodge on the Copper River in Alaska, an experience that proved transformative. It’s hard not to fall in love with anadromous fish when seeing their impacts firsthand. In her final semester, she deepened this systems-level thinking through coursework in water rights at a university in Valparaíso, Chile.
After graduating, Isabel worked as a kayak guide for REI and as a steelhead enthusiast at a local fly shop, honing her skills in outdoor instruction and community engagement. These experiences brought her to World Salmon Council, where she now serves as Executive Director. In her role, Isabel is committed to building an outdoor education program that is fully intersectional, one where young people from all backgrounds can encounter the natural world not as visitors, but as participants. By weaving together indigenous ecological knowledge, the cultural and biological dimensions of salmon, and hands-on field science, Isabel works to inspire and embolden the scientists, anglers, and advocates who will shape the future of our watersheds.
Kelley Brent (she/her)
Administrative Consultant
Kelley has a deep passion for public service. She has been an HR and Administrative Professional for a non-profit serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault since 2008. Before entering the work force Kelley spent most her days volunteering in the Bend, Oregon community while raising her three boys. During that time, Kelley also earned her degree at Central Oregon Community College, then studied Education through Eastern Oregon University. Her favorite places to be outside of work are hanging out with her family, traveling to tropical places, and taking in the sunshine while floating on the lake in her pontoon.
