WISE is governed by a 9-member Board of Directors, volunteers from our communities who are deeply committed to WISE's mission, and the daily work of maintaining fiscal responsibility and providing meaningful programming.

Meet the WISE Board of Directors!
​  Hover over their pictures to learn more about these amazing volunteers.

Current Board Members ​
Gay Wellman, Chairperson
Dave Wellman, Vice Chair
Felicia Riedel, Secretary
Paul Boos, Treasurer
Janelle Eklund
Jenny Moser
Margie Steigerwald
Sarah Gallt Linnell
​Cassidy Austin-Merlino

Dave Wellman is a retired High School Science Teacher, and mastermind of the Willow Creek Research Project, a citizen science study.

Paul Boos and his Granddaughter Audrey head out for a day of fishing on Silver Lake. Paul is an accomplished Photographer and woodworker.

Secretary Gay Wellman is an education specialist for Alzheimers Resource of Alaska. She and Tikka are recording data on the banks of Willow Creek in her beloved backyard, Wellwood Nature Preserve.

Janelle Eklund brought along an old friend to Geology Camp, this frame backpack she first carried in the 1970s. Since retiring from the BLM, Janelle has filled her life with volunteering, arts, exploring, and gardening.

Jenny Moser and her dog Owl take a break while exploring a winter wonderland. Jenny and her partner are building a farm which includes horses, a mule, poultry, bees, and gardens. Jenny also works as a wildland firefighter and was an elementary school teacher.

Felicia Riedel is a retired School Teacher, and an active volunteer at Kenny Lake Public Library and other community organizations. Here she is hiking with daughters and granddaughters.

Margie Steigerwald first came to the Copper Basin in 1989 with her spouse Russell Galipeau to work for Wrangell-St.Elias NP/P. They lived and worked in Copper Center through 1997. Margie returned as the Park's Chief of Interpretation & Education from 2017-2020. She retired to California and visits Alaska at every opportunity.

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