Peter Chaillé grew up exploring the forests and fishing the waters of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. He received his BS in Aquatic Biology, MA in Comparative Physiology, and PhD in Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Peter is a Teaching Assistant Professor and Director of Undergraduate Programs for the Department of Public Administration at Portland State University, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in civic and environmental leadership. Prior to his time at PSU, his work included studies of nearshore rockfish around the Pacific Rim, examinations of the effects of environmental changes on marine organisms, research collaborations with public agencies, companies and nonprofit organizations on sustainable use of marine and forest resources, and more than a decade instructing sea kayaking and outdoor leadership. Peter is a co-founder and serves on the IPFS Board of Directors.

Erin Steinkruger was born and raised in the foothills of the Chugach Mountains in Anchorage, Alaska. She holds a PhD in Public Affairs and Policy from Portland State University and a BA in Political Science from Lewis & Clark College. Erin’s research and teaching is focused in political ecology, environmental governance and leadership, leadership education and science communication. She has kayaked throughout southeastern Alaska, Baja California and southern Chile and her work in the communities and wild lands of the American West has made her a strong advocate for first-hand learning about rural landscapes and livelihoods. Erin serves as Executive Director for Inside Passage.

Katherine Wyatt works as Assistant Science Director for the Puget Sound Partnership, helping the state agency lead the Puget Sound region’s collective effort to restore and protect the sound. She previously worked with the Natural Capital Project’s Marine Team evaluating values of costal resources and the USFS Pacific Northwest Research Station assessing the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of western forests to climate change. Katherine received a MS from University of Washington’s School of Environmental and Forest Sciences and a BA in Environmental Studies from Lewis & Clark College. Katherine is a guest lecturer and serves on the IPFS Board of Directors.

John Yeager (far right) moved to Wrangell, Alaska in 2004 after retiring from a lengthy career in the US Coast Guard. He is the co-owner of Alaska Charters & Adventures with his wife Brenda where he is a fishing guide and boat captain. Currently, John sits on several Fish and Game advisory boards including the Southeast Regional Advisory Council for the Federal Subsistence Board, and the subsistence seat for SSRAA (Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association), which oversees salmon hatcheries in Southeast Alaska. He is also involved with the Wrangell Fish and Game Advisory Committee and fills an elected seat on the Wrangell Port Commission. John is a guest lecturer and serves on the IPFS Board of Directors.