STAFF

Due to the large number of inquiries we receive and our small staff with limited resources, if you have a specific pest/weed/pesticide issue please use the resources on our website- see our frequently asked questions including tips to find what you need on our website. If you have a more complex problem, use our sliding-scale consultation services.

Rather than having executive leadership (like an Executive Director), we have a distributed leadership model where a team of employees collaborates along with support and oversight from our board of directors.

See our staff list below for who to contact for different needs.

BEN TRIEU
HEALTHY FOOD AND FARMS PROGRAM SPECIALIST
btrieu(at)pesticide.org
Idaho State
Contact for: Food, Farming, Idaho. 

Ben (he/him) started at NCAP in November of 2025. His mother always told him to keep the air, the water and the land in mind and to "Leave things better than you found them". He has tried to do so in a myriad of ways including: engineering, political advocacy, working fields at local farms, serving on non-profit boards, and most recently fixing bikes for our unhoused neighbors. He is also passionate about making the world better through his creation of art, particularly poetry, where he explores ideas of empathy for all, deep connection to the environment, and the power we have to accomplish great things. Ben loves connecting with people from all backgrounds, especially when they share a passion for a healthier, more sustainable world. Reach out to Ben for all things food and farming!

CHRISTINA STUCKER-GASSI
LEADERSHIP AND CAMPAIGNS ANALYST
cstuckergassi(at)pesticide.org

Ayisha “Christina” Stucker-Gassi started volunteering for NCAP in 2013. Since then she has helped shape US pesticide reform initiatives and consulted with state and tribal officials to advance alternatives. Christina studied agroecology in India at Bija Vidyapeeth after receiving a B.S. in Environmental Studies, Conservation Biology, and Political Economy from the College of Idaho in 2015. Christina is a certified WPS trainer and has served on the EPA Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee. She seeks out opportunities to co-create healthy long lasting relationships with people and the land. Christina has served on the board of the Idaho Organization of Resource Councils (IORC), and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC). She enjoys slowing down, planting trees and shrubs, cooking with her family, and taking extended trips to her second home at the foothills of the Himalayas.

SHARALYN PETERSON
STAFF ECOLOGIST
speterson(at)pesticide.org
Contact for: wildlife & ecosystems, scientific questions, consultation services and presentations.

Sharalyn (Shay) Peterson is the Staff Ecologist at the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP). She works across all three of NCAP’s program areas, focusing on how everyday pest management decisions affect rivers, wildlife, and the people who live nearby. Shay holds a master’s degree in forest health and a strong background in biology and applied conservation. She develops bilingual resources, collaborates with agencies and community partners, and helps communities adopt practical alternatives to pesticides to reduce exposure and protect both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems across the Pacific Northwest. Outside of NCAP, Shay loves being on a bike or a trail with her husband, friends, and their two dogs, and is happiest when she’s traveling, learning languages, and getting to know new places. Her creative work blends travel photography and documentary filmmaking to tell stories of place, culture, and community.

TOMÁS (TOMMY) DÍAZ ÁLVAREZ
PEOPLE & COMMUNITIES PROGRAM MANAGER AND GRANTS SUPPORT
tdiaz(at)pesticide.org
541-344-5044, ext. 119 
En Español: 541-803-8918 
Northern Oregon
Contact for: farm worker and workplace issues, community issues, Spanish language programming, Oregon.

Tommy joined NCAP in January 2022 as the Healthy People and Communities Program Manager. He studied Journalism in his native Santiago, Chile, and moved to the U.S. in 2017. He lived on an organic farm in Colorado, worked with local nonprofits and volunteered at other farms and farmers markets. There, Tommy found a passion for organic growing practices and community building around local food systems. He enjoys playing the cello, slow mornings, outdoors activities and taking trips to his other homes in Colorado and in Chile.

EDWARD WINTER
FINANCIAL MANAGER
541-344-5044, ext. 124
ewinter(at)pesticide.org
Eugene, OR
Contact for: financial matters, insurance, unemployment claims.

Edward served previously as financial manager of an organic juice cooperative for 12 years and worked as an accountant for 20 years. He also worked as a statistician for the National Center for Health Statistics. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and sociology from the University of Minnesota in 1964. He joined NCAP in 2000 and lives on a small farm where he spends most of his time when not crunching numbers for NCAP.

ANDREA STAPLETON
OPERATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
541-344-5044, ext. 119
astapleton(at)pesticide.org
Eugene, OR
Contact for: General questions, donation assistance, business league

Andrea joined NCAP in 2017 as the Development Assistant, and her role has grown over the years. She now oversees many of the administrative operations, while also supporting both the development team and the organization as a whole. Before coming to NCAP, Andrea interned with the Lane County School Garden Project and volunteered with the Eugene Relief Nursery. She holds a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Oregon. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys gardening, cooking vegetarian meals, walking her dog, and reading. 

ALISA HOWELL-SMITH
COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
541-344-5044, ext. 119
ahowellsmith(at)pesticide.org
Portland, Oregon
Contact for: Media relations, social media, email, photo submissions, website, Portland events.

Alisa began working with NCAP as the Communications Manager in October of 2023. She graduated from Oregon State University in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in Digital Communication Arts and a minor in Spanish. After some time in email marketing, she pursued her interest in art and ceramics at LCC and started a small business. Alisa values honesty, empathy, and communication and she is passionate about the health, happiness, and future of the community. In her free time she enjoys cooking, games, swimming, arts and crafts, and baking.

ANA ELISA WILSON
COMMUNITIES & ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM CO-MANAGER
anaewilson(at)pesticide.org
En Español: 509-494-4480
Northern Oregon
Contact for: Education program for farm workers, resources for landscapers and farmworkers, NCAP Radio show,  Spanish-speaking presenters/interviews.

Ana Elisa was born and raised in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, México. Growing up in a large family, from her parents she learned the important values that play a vital role in her current work: integral service for rural communities in need and hispanic migrant workers. She has dedicated the last nine years of her life to serving communities as a Certified Instructor for Health and Chronic Diseases Program from Stanford University, as a community organizer, mental health promoter, and running educational environmental and Covid-19 workshops. She is devoted to crossing the language barriers to provide useful education to hispanic families in Oregon and Washington. Currently, Ana Elisa lives in Richland, WA with her husband and son.

Nací y crecí en Cd. Obregón, Sonora Mexico, tierra agrícola, porcícola y reconocida por su pesca deportiva a nivel internacional y clima desértico. Proveniente de una familia larga de 9 miembros y mis padres, de ellos recibí los valores más importantes que hoy juegan un papel en mi trabajo actual, el servicio integral hacia las comunidades rurales en necesidad y trabajadores migrantes hispanos en su mayoría. He dedicado los últimos 9 años al servicio comunitario como Instructora Certificada de Programas de Salud de enfermedades crónicas por Stanford University, experiencia en el área de community organizer, promotora de salud mental, medio ambiente y pesticidas covid-19, creadora y coordinadora de programa de radio en el área de salud/covid-19. Talleres de educacion de salud y medio ambiente han sido parte de mi enfoque en la educacion, cruzando las barreras del idioma y ofrecidas en espanol las familias hispanas en areas rurales de los estados de Oregon Y Washington. Actualmente vivo en la cd. de Richland, WA con mi esposo y mi hijo, feliz de prestar un servicio comunitario al sector publico y de la comunidad.

KAITLYN PARKS
GRANT WRITER AND STAFF SUPPORT
kparks(at)pesticide.org
541-344-5044 ext. 133
Idaho

Kaitlyn joined NCAP in September 2024 as the Healthy Food and Farms Program Manager and has since transitioned to staff support role with a focus on grant writing. She holds a Masters of Natural Resources from the University of Idaho and has a background in forestry and native plant conservation. Kaitlyn is dedicated to promoting sustainable land management practices and ensuring equitable access to healthy food for all communities. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, baking, and spending time outdoors camping and hiking with her husband and dogs.

BOARD

ASHLEY CHESSER, OREGON
PRESIDENT

After working for NCAP for eight years, Ashley transitioned to become a board member in July 2022. She now works for Wild Farm Alliance. While on staff at NCAP, Ashley served in communications and development roles and then in executive leadership. Ashley has worked for an environmental conservation corps, nonprofit housing, and the outdoor gear industry. Ashley's two young daughters keep her very busy, but when she has a few moments of free time she enjoys running, biking, rock climbing, hiking, and gardening. 

CHLOE FENDER, OREGON
VICE PRESIDENT

Chloe Fender is a PhD Student at Oregon State University, where she researches toxicology with a focus on water quality and the impacts that contaminants can have on human and environmental health. She has volunteered at several nonprofits around the West and is an advocate for environmental equity, and is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a local organization in a new way. Chloe is excited to be involved in an organization that highlights not only the risks associated with pesticide use, but also educates the community on pesticide-free alternatives and learning about pesticide-free solutions along the way. Board member since September 2021.

MEGAN DUNN, WASHINGTON
SECRETARY

Megan Dunn has a 20-year work and volunteer background improving lives for working families and communities through thoughtful policy change. As a community leader and environmental health advocate, she has spent her career collaborating with community members to address complex issues facing our communities. In 2019, she was elected to the Snohomish County Council where she continues to bring a focus on community health and environmental stewardship. Megan is returning to NCAP as a member of the board after being on staff as the Healthy People and Communities Program Director, where she led efforts to help protect communities from harmful pesticides and chemicals. As a life-long advocate for protecting our environment, Megan is dedicated to ensuring that all of our communities have access to clean air to breathe, fresh water to drink, and clean soil for our agricultural needs.

ROSANNE WOLF, OREGON
TREASURER

Rosanne Wolf is originally from Oregon, and she graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Business. She shares her love of organic gardening, the outdoors and wildlife with her husband Michael and their two rescue dogs. Rosanne is very community minded, and has volunteered with several local organizations. She is excited to be a part of NCAP and help people get excited about sustainable gardening practices (and bees!). Board member since August 2020.

TAMARA SLOVIACZEK, IDAHO

Tamara Sloviaczek is a New Product Services Manager for HP Inc., and recently introduced a new worldwide service to offset the carbon emissions of companies' printing environments. She is also co-owner along with her husband Tim Sommer of Purple Sage Farms, an organic specialty produce and livestock operation in Middleton, Idaho. The farm received the NCAP Healthy Food and Farm Rachel Carson Award in 2016. Tamara has a passion for educating children and adults and helping them understand the interconnectedness of growing food, water quality, soil and healthy communities. Board member since June 2021.

EVERETT CODD, OREGON

Everett Codd grew up on the Oregon coast and participated in 4-H for over 10 years. At Oregon State University he focused his education on agricultural sustainability, with a B.S. in Environmental Science and minor in Soil Science. Everett continued an agricultural career after college, working with the USDA Agriculture Research Service (ARS), the North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) Agronomic Division, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) and the Rodale Institute. Everett took a break from the NCAP board and then re-joined in July 2023.

WILEY REID, WASHINGTON

Wiley Reid joined NCAP’s Board of Directors in 2025. A Northwest-based artist and writer with Southwest roots, his work is shaped by history, ecology, and religion, and by time spent in agrarian settings at home and abroad. He holds an M.A. in International Development from American University’s School of International Service, a Certificate in Sustainable Community Development from Colorado State University, a B.F.A. in Studio Art (Printmaking), and a Certificate in Applied Anthropology from the University of North Texas. Honors include the James Beard Foundation National Scholars Program and a Coverdell Fellowship. Wiley brings an interdisciplinary, community-minded perspective to NCAP’s mission to advance practical, science-based alternatives that protect water, wildlife, and community health across the Pacific Northwest.

ALLIE TISSOT, OREGON

Allie has a PhD from Portland State University in Ecotoxicology, where she studied the combined effects of pesticides with other contaminant stressors to aquatic organisms. In conducting her research, she became passionate about water quality and the environmental justice issues surrounding contaminant exposures and access to healthy environments. Prior to her doctorate, Allie earned her bachelor’s degree at Western Washington University, where she studied invertebrate zoology and marine ecology. She then worked as a research assistant for three years in central Chile, where she studied the effects of marine protected areas on invertebrate populations. Allie is a strong advocate for inclusivity in toxicology, particularly for persons with disabilities. She is very excited to serve as a board member for NCAP and work more closely with communities while learning more about alternative solutions to pesticide use. Board member since December 2025.