Staff
Melissa C. Melissa C.
Since 2008, Melissa has helped shape the direction of the Washington Farmland Trust’s conservation, stewardship and conservation finance initiatives. Today, as Executive Director, she leads the Trust’s staff and board, as well as its impact investment work. Prior to her work at the Trust, Melissa worked on conservation and natural resource initiatives spanning the natural areas of the Midwest to the farms and forestlands along the West Coast. Melissa holds a B.S. from the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University and a Master’s degree where she studied the connections between our local communities and working landscapes. When not at work, Melissa enjoys being outside and exploring our natural world and communities, with her family.
Favorite Vegetable: Ohio sweet corn
Michael C. Michael C.
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Michael joined Washington Farmland Trust as the Finance & Operations Director in 2025. With expertise in financial planning and analysis, budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and process improvement, Michael is a results-oriented finance leader with a passion for driving financial strategy and performance. Michael has led multi-year projects at both large and startup organizations, and has navigated complex financial landscapes across diverse industries, including pharmaceutical and life sciences. Michael holds an MBA in Finance, International Business, and Strategic Management from Villanova University and a BS in Management & Marketing from Canisius College. Outside of his professional endeavors, Michael enjoys running and creating mixed medium arts.
Favorite Vegetable: Arugula
Robin F. Robin F.
Robin Fay grew up on his parents’ organic berry farm in the San Juan Islands, where he learned about farming first hand. He received a degree in Environmental Policy from the University of Puget Sound, and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Washington. Robin has diverse work experience, including working in bike shops and as an EMT. Robin brings a background in land use planning and farmland conservation policy to his role as Conservation Director, working with the rest of the conservation team to cultivate relationships with farmers, complete conservation transactions and easement purchases, and protect valuable farmland around the region. Outside of work, Robin loves spending time outdoors and eating good food with his family and friends.
Favorite Vegetable: Peas
Petrina F. Petrina F.
Originally hailing from Ottawa, Canada, Petrina joined Washington Farmland Trust in 2023, bringing over two decades of experience in fundraising, program evaluation, and nonprofit administration. Petrina and her husband own and operate Skylight Farms in Snohomish, using sustainable practices to grow a wide variety of mixed market vegetables. As a farmer, Petrina knows first-hand the challenges of land ownership and stewardship, and is deeply committed to advancing the Trust’s mission through donor engagement and community connections. Petrina received a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and holds a certificate in Program Evaluation from the University of Washington. Outside of the farming world, Petrina can be found chasing her two amazing kids on the slopes, cooking theme dinners, enjoying live music, or climbing.
Favorite vegetable: Eggplant
Molly G. Molly G.
Molly joined Washington Farmland Trust’s communications team in 2016. As Communications Director, Molly leads efforts to raise organizational visibility and increase public support for local farms. Molly works across programs to help bring people closer to our work, make meaning out of complex stories and data, and develop inclusive and accessible messaging that inspires action. Prior to joining the Trust, Molly spent four years at a strategic communications firm helping to elevate the work of nonprofits. Molly graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in Communications and Interdisciplinary Visual Art. When not crafting content or conducting photoshoots on the farm, you can find Molly drinking coffee, picking flowers from the side of the road, or devouring her cookbook collection.
Favorite Vegetable: Green zebra tomato
Megan J. Megan J.
Megan joined Washington Farmland Trust in 2015 as Community Engagement Manager, and has since held a variety of roles focused on shaping and growing the Trust’s Community Engagement and Farm to Farmer programs. In each of these roles, Megan has centered justice and a commitment to advocating for change within our flawed farming system. Megan is excited to step into a new role for the organization focused on supporting staff well-being, creating a healthy organizational culture, developing systems that set the team up for success, and centering WFT’s values in everything we do. Megan continues to advise and support the Community Engagement and Farm to Farmer teams as those two programs grow and evolve. Before joining the Trust, Megan was a community organizer and advocate working towards environmental justice. When not at her desk, you can usually find Megan with her nose in a good book, trying out a new recipe using local produce, or adventuring with her family and pup.
Favorite Vegetable: Garlic
Nayla J.C. Nayla J.C.
Nayla joined Washington Farmland Trust in 2021 to support farmers, landowners, and partners across the state through the Farm to Farmer program. As Farm to Farmer Director, Nayla helps farmers find land, build capacity, and access resources. Prior to this role, she worked as COO of a federally qualified health care center, as a small business development consultant, and as an independent project manager for various organizations and businesses. In her spare time, Nayla enjoys cooking, exploring the outdoors, and playing the guitar.
Favorite Vegetable: Heirloom tomato
Kate Lambert Kate Lambert
Kate joined Washington Farmland Trust in 2026 as Farm to Farmer Manager, where she helps connect landowners to farmers looking for land. Kate has a background in environmental science and organic farming. She is trained in field mapping and site assessment and previously worked at a geotechnical engineering firm in a field-based role. Kate also has hands-on experience working on small farms. Kate lives in the Skagit Valley with her partner and thirteen chickens. Outside of work, she enjoys woodworking, reading, and spending time outdoors.
Favorite vegetable: Broccolini
Claudia L. Claudia L.
Claudia joined Washington Farmland Trust’s fundraising team in 2021, bringing more than a decade of experience in engagement, community relations, data analysis, and program management. Prior to joining the Trust, Claudia spent 13 years on the membership and community relations teams at PCC Community Markets (the co-op is Washington Farmland Trust’s founder). Claudia is passionate about local food and farming. Claudia received her bachelor’s degree in Geography with a focus on Urban Sustainability from the University of Washington. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, growing flowers, and pestering the farmers on staff for growing tips.
Favorite Vegetable: Radish
Nate L. Nate L.
Nate brings close to two decades of experience in food, farming, and farmland preservation to his role as Conservation Manager. Nate and his wife own and manage Oyster Bay Farm, a 40 acre organic diversified livestock and crop farm on the shores of Puget Sound in Olympia, WA. They started farming in 2002 as caretakers on the farm, and, ultimately, they became owners in 2018 after successfully completing an agricultural conservation easement. Prior to joining WFT, Nate worked with Washington State Department of Agriculture’s organic certification program and as Farm Policy Director at the Organic Trade Association. He holds a bachelors of science in organic chemistry and agricultural science from The Evergreen State College.
When not pursuing his passion of farmland preservation, Nate can be found working on his own farm, floating his drift boat down local rivers in pursuit of salmon and steelhead, or foraging for mushrooms in our region’s forests.
Favorite Vegetable: Snap peas
Alex M. Alex M.
Alex joined the Washington Farmland Trust team in 2023 as the Farmer Collectives Manager, bringing her passion for food sovereignty, land access, and cooperative development. This is a new role for Washington Farmland Trust that focuses on supporting farmer collectives and cooperatives with land access through the Farm to Farmer program. Alex brings a diverse professional background that has spanned fabrication, construction, ranching, inclusive community building, project management, and education. She is also bilingual and looks forward to serving Farm to Farmer clients in both English and Spanish. Alex is the owner and founder of Sundog Sheep Company in Spokane, where she currently resides and raises Navajo-Churro sheep for grass-fed lamb, hides, and wool, and offers targeted grazing services. In addition to her work with livestock, Alex is also a holistic management practitioner and the co-facilitator of New Cowgirl Camp. In her spare time, Alex enjoys spending time at the intersection of conservation and outdoor recreation: paddling, foraging, fishing, and subsistence hunting. Alex is an active member of the Hunters of Color Washington Chapter.
Favorite vegetable: Delicata squash
libby r. libby r.
libby joined Washington Farmland Trust in 2023, bringing over two decades of varied experience in agriculture and nonprofits to her role as Stewardship Manager. Whether working in program management to serve arts, environmental, or advocacy organizations to owning and operating her own farm, libby’s work has always been rooted in relationship building. libby is passionate about food production, food systems, and land access, as well as establishing meaningful engagement between organizations and the people they support. libby received her Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology and International Affairs from the University of Colorado. When she is not working, you can find libby exploring her creative outlets, making music, taking photographs, and spending time with her human and animal families.
Favorite vegetable: Greens of all kinds
Paul S. Paul S.
Paul joined the Washington Farmland Trust team in 2023. As the Operations Manager, Paul provides behind the scenes support to the Trust’s programs, teams, and systems. He brings two decades of experience working in experiential and environmental education helping to connect people to their environment and understand where their resources come from. He has led wilderness expeditions in many far flung places including the Sea of Cortez, Alaska, and locally in the North Cascades and Olympics. Prior to joining the Trust, Paul was the Operations Manager for NOLS Pacific Northwest where he managed business operations, a 30-acre campus, and a staff of 12. Paul graduated from Boston University with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Environmental and Energy Policy. When not at work, he enjoys mountain biking, whitewater kayaking, tinkering with woodworking projects, and planning surf trips. Paul lives with his wife, daughter, and dog in Mount Vernon.
Favorite vegetable: Garlic
Nicole W. Nicole W.
Nicole brings more than a decade of experience in agriculture and conservation to her role as Farmland Project Manager. Prior to joining the Trust, Nicole spent several years working for local conservation districts as a Farm Planner and most recently as a Wildlife Biologist for a national non-profit, engaging the community on conservation issues as well as providing education and technical knowledge to assist farmers in implementing conservation practices on their farm operations. Nicole grew up working on a variety of pastured dairy and livestock farms in New England and the Pacific Northwest. Having grown up in rural Connecticut, she developed a passion for conservation issues and has continued to find her place in supporting the local agricultural community ever since. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys gardening, cooking big meals, and adventuring outdoors — hunting, fishing, camping, or backpacking with her dog Sorrel.
Favorite Vegetable: Carrots
Deavyn W. Deavyn W.
Deavyn joined Washington Farmland Trust in 2026 as Community Coordinator, supporting the Trust’s events, communications, and fundraising efforts. Growing up in rural southwest Washington surrounded by farmland, she gained an even deeper love and appreciation for farming while working on the Coffees of Hawaii farm and the Maui Tropical Plantation in 2013. Deavyn holds a Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology from the University of British Columbia with a focus on First Nations fusion music and Indigenous resistance movements. With a diverse background spanning music research, arts & culture nonprofit work, marketing, and most recently a tenure with longtime WFT partner Tony’s Coffee, she is excited to bring her love of community-centered storytelling and outreach to support Washington’s farming community. In her free time, you can find Deavyn adventuring outdoors, curled up with a good book or record, and cooking/baking new recipes.
Favorite Vegetable: Sugar snap peas
Board
Joan Caine
Joan Caine, founder and principal of Sirius Advice, has extensive nonprofit management and fundraising experience. Since establishing Sirius Advice in 2002, she has worked with 70 nonprofits in the greater Seattle area in the fields of human services, conservation and the environment, education, and arts and culture. Joan has a specialty in capital and other large-scale campaigns, and has supported more than 35 multi-million-dollar campaigns with feasibility, planning, and implementation counsel. Joan also works with clients to refine and strengthen messaging in support of successful fundraising. She has experience working with organizations aiming to build capacity and infrastructure, and provides training and coaching to staff and volunteers. Joan began working with Washington Farmland Trust on their $26-million-dollar Our Farms, Our Future campaign in 2016 and fell in love with their work. She lives in Lake Forest Park with her husband, Andre, where she tends to the garden of her dreams.
Josh Monaghan
Josh Monaghan, principal with Monaghan Consulting, has over 25 years of experience working in natural resource conservation, ranging from site specific farm conservation planning to managing and directing conservation programs and teams. He has led numerous collaborative initiatives that connect on-the-ground work to expand funding to support conservation and food system goals. Josh grew up on a small farm in Rhode Island, has a life-long commitment to farmland conservation, and has long been a supporter of the great work of the Trust. He is thrilled to be joining the Board.
Morgan Maki
Morgan brings a professional background in food production systems, stewardship-centered land management, and community engagement to his role with the Washington Farmland Trust board. He is a member of the leadership team at Urban Villages, overseeing the organization’s real estate project’s brand design and development, commercial tenant placemaking strategy, community and guest experience curation. Morgan is passionate about building food and farm businesses that connect land use with social justice and environmental impact. Before his current role, he attended the New England Culinary Institute and spent many years working in farming, ranching, and food businesses across the country. He lives in the Rainier Beach neighborhood with his wife and daughter and when not at work, likes to spend time exploring the mountains, forests, and waterways of the region on his bicycle, paddleboard, or on foot.
Amy Behar
A Pacific Northwest native through and through, Amy grew up in Issaquah, prior to attending the University of Washington, where she studied Finance and Comparative History of Ideas. Amy has spent her career in commercial banking, first at Wells Fargo and, now at JP Morgan, where she serves as Vice President on the healthcare services team. Amy leads JP Morgan’s PNW healthcare practice, partnering with mid-corporate healthcare organizations across the region on all aspects of banking. Amy’s interest in agriculture traces back to a high school class on the globalization and sustainability of food systems. At UW, Amy continued exploring ag through the CHID program, which included the opportunity to volunteer at the UW Farm, as well as several farms in Chimacum. Amy joined the WFT Finance Committee in 2023 and has found it a rewarding way to stay connected to work she cares about. When not at the office, you can usually find Amy outside – hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, gardening, or wandering a beach somewhere. Amy is also an avid reader and a chronic trip planner. If she is not actively traveling, Amy is mapping out the next adventure. Currently on the itinerary is Southeast Asia in the fall.
Nathan Britton
Nathan Britton grew up on a farm outside of Boston. His career has spanned work in grassroots advocacy, political communication, and restaurant kitchens. While a student at the Culinary Institute of America, Nathan completed a four month externship at The Herbfarm in Woodinville, where he executed a menu made exclusively from goods produced within 100 miles of the restaurant. This experience changed the way Nathan thinks about food and cooking, instilling in him a deep commitment to protecting farms and strengthening the bond between restaurants, eaters, and the foodsheds that serve them. Nathan moved back to Seattle with his wife and daughter and their two cats in 2021. He is a passionate fan of English football.
Annie Guo
Annie is a Seattle transplant originally from Minnesota with over 14 years’ experience in the energy and environmental sectors. Her work has spanned public-private partnerships, solar project financing, and energy and carbon procurement, focusing on driving positive environmental, economic, and social outcomes. While leading datacenter energy and carbon removal procurement at Microsoft, she negotiated some of the market’s first long-term carbon removal offtake transactions totaling over 14 million tons of carbon to be removed in the coming decades that have already led to millions of native trees planted throughout the US and Latin America. Annie excels at building scalable teams and programs and looks forward to lending her procurement strategy expertise to supporting the WA Farmland Trust’s important conservation objectives. Annie lives in Seattle and you can find her biking, running, and busing around town – often with a little Husky mix in tow.
Daniel Horst
Daniel is a passionate veggie farmer, food justice advocate, and community connector from the Seattle area with over a decade of experience supporting local food systems in a variety of settings across the country including on farms, in restaurants, and on the web. He currently operates a farmers market in Southwest Seattle, alongside several culturally relevant food assistance and small farm & food business support programs with the African Community Housing & Development. Daniel is involved in strategic planning to support farmers and build equitable local food systems with King County’s Food Systems Advisory Committee, United Way’s Food Justice Collaborative, and the Washington State chapter of the Young Farmers Coalition. When he’s not working, Daniel can usually be found in the kitchen, on a trail, or soaking up the sun on the beach with a good book.
Joshua Jackson
Joshua Jackson is the Vice President of Finance & Accounting at Cara Veterinary, where he brings a strategic, disciplined, and forward-looking approach to financial leadership. He focuses on strengthening financial foundations, driving clarity in decision-making, and building high-performing teams that support sustainable, intentional growth. With an MBA and a career that spans technical accounting through advanced forecastng and planning, Joshua has evolved into a modern finance leader who blends analytical rigor with practical execution. He is particularly passionate about predictive planning helping organizations anticipate risks, allocate capital effectively, and make smarter, data-driven decisions. Joshua believes finance should be more than a reporting function; it should be a strategic partner that accelerates growth and unlocks long-term value. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, skiing, and supporting mission-driven organizations through nonprofit board service.
Jonny Lu
Jonny is a PNW native whose career has spanned corporate strategy at KPMG and Google to leading business operations at Lithos Carbon, an agricultural startup focused on enhanced soil health and carbon sequestration. He has worked directly with growers, ranchers, and input suppliers to develop sustainable soil management practices across the US, with a particular focus on farmers in the Southeast and Midwest. Jonny has developed a deep appreciation for the pressures facing working farmland and believes protecting agricultural land is essential to both food security and a livable climate. Locally, Jonny serves on the City of Bellevue’s Planning Commission, advising the city council on zoning, land use, and policies that balance growth with preservation. He lives in Bellevue with his wife and dog and tends a backyard garden of raspberries, strawberries, and plums.
Bob Peterson
Por T.
As a co-founder and managing partner at Fare Elements, Por has extensive experience in aligning people with divergent interests, building partner ecosystems, and developing strategies to make conservation durable and economically viable over the long term. By aligning natural resources with people’s livelihoods, she has delivered multi-million-dollar economic value to the communities while restoring watersheds, forests, and farmlands. Working directly with local communities, she has developed a deep understanding and appreciation of the people closest to the land, from farmers to villagers in remote areas. Prior to Fare Elements, she led product and engineering efforts at Meta and was a software engineer at Amazon. The love for Mother Nature extends to other parts of her life. She enjoys climbing, running, and being in the great outdoors.
Washington Farmland Trust is seeking to expand its board committees in hopes of better representing the communities we aim to serve. We’d love to hear from you.
