Branden has ten years of nonprofit and scientific experience on the Kenai Peninsula. He is passionate about supporting all things related to the nonprofit sector in Alaska, and is a recent graduate (Dec. 2019) of the Foraker Group’s Certificate in Nonprofit Management cohort. Branden’s background is in environmental management, having studied earth system science and policy in graduate school, and he has extensive experience with spatial analysis and visualization using GIS and remote sensing technologies. Branden also serves on the Kenai River Special Management Advisory Board and the City of Kenai Harbor Commission, and is a board member for KDLL Pickle Hill Public Radio in Kenai.

Branden grew up on the northern great plains in North Dakota near the geographical center of North America (basically, as far away from any coastline one can get on the continent). Having grown up surrounded by grass and beef (and very few trees), Branden feels honored and privileged to have the opportunity through our work at KWF to develop such a deep connection with the amazing and unique salmon landscapes and societies that make the Kenai Peninsula and greater Alaska such special places.

Born and raised in Alaska, Rhonda is proud resident of the Kenai Peninsula. Rhonda joined the KWF family 2008 as the Accounting Manager. She quickly grew to wear a few other “hats” as Grant Manager and Run for the River Coordinator. She does light bookkeeping for a few local business and non-profits, but always claims KWF as her “real job”. She also teaches a Quickbooks class for a local educational center.

Rhonda is a crafty lady – crochet, cross stitch, quilting – but also enjoys reading and loves her three miniature dachshunds.

Maura has spent the past ten years working in invasive species management throughout many corners of the U.S. and Alaska. Maura was drawn to conservation work at an early age after growing up in northern Minnesota and enjoying canoe and hiking trips with her family. After graduating from college with a degree in Natural Science and Environmental Studies, Maura headed out West to work with a variety of land management agencies where she fine-tuned her skills in botany, invasive species management techniques, and geospatial technologies.

Maura loves the diversity of opportunities she has at KWF to participate in hands-on restoration, educating the public, and working with partners to problem solve and collaborate on invasive species issues in Alaska.

When Maura isn’t on the lookout for invasive species (ok let’s be real she’s always on the lookout…), she can be found paddling anything she can get her hands on, biking, playing in the snow, and crafting up a storm when forced indoors.

Meg found her passion for working with kids in the outdoors where she grew up hiking and fishing on the coast of Maine. While pursuing a career in child development and adaptive outdoor education at University of Maine, she spent five years working at a nature-based summer camp for individuals with varying disabilities and advocating for more inclusion in the outdoors. Moving to Alaska for a new adventure in 2018, she took on the role of Education Specialist at KWF coordinating their long-standing Adopt-A-Stream program. Fostering a connection to nature through watershed studies, Meg spends her time visiting local classrooms to share her passion for salmon, access to water, and being outside.

When not at work, Meg can be found hiking with her pup Indie, floating the river, baking copious amounts of sourdough, digging in the garden, or finding literally any excuse to be in the sunshine!

Ben grew up in Wasilla, Alaska and holds an M.S. in Fisheries from University of Alaska Fairbanks. Benjamin has worked throughout Alaska in diverse natural resource management professions including wildland firefighting, science consulting, and tourism. Outside of Kenai Watershed Forum you can find him working on converting an old bus into an RV, coaching Junior Nordic at Tsalteshi Trails, or watching his dog chase squirrels. He loves reading and hearing about Alaska history.

If Ben could meet any famous person from history it would be the caveman or cavewoman who drew the world’s oldest known picture of a salmon, 25,000 years ago on the ceiling of the “Abri du Poisson” cave in France.

Brandon was born and raised in Michigan, and attended Michigan State University for a double major in Environmental Studies and Sustainability & Sustainable Parks Recreation and Tourism with a minor in Environmental Economics. Brandon has enjoyed the outdoors for as long as he can remember, with his favorite hobbies being fishing and hunting. Brandon started as a KWF intern in 2021, but has since made the jump to a full time employee and Alaskan, managing the Stream Watch program. Brandon spends most of his time working and interacting with various volunteers on projects  including trash clean up, education/outreach, and stream bank remediation and protection.

Brandon also has a new found passion for volleyball and can be found playing or training when he isn’t busy getting lost in the woods.