Board of Directors

Sharyn Skeeter

Vice-President

Sharyn Skeeter is a writer, poet, novelist, and educator. She was fiction/poetry/book review editor at Essence and editor in chief at Black Elegance magazine. She’s taught at colleges and universities in the Northeast. She participated in panel discussions and readings at universities in India and Singapore. Sharyn Skeeter has published articles, poetry and fiction in journals and anthologies.

Her novel Dancing with Langston won a Foreword Reviews Indies Gold Award for Multicultural Adult Fiction. She’s editor of the anthology What’s Next? Short Fiction in Time of Change, which includes several climate authors. She sponsors a scholarship for students in business and the environment at Fairfield University in Connecticut. https://sharynskeeter.com

David Woolley Wilson

Treasurer

David Woolley-Wilson has more 30 years of nonprofit experience focused on environmental justice and climate change. After his graduate work at UC Berkeley, Dave began his work on climate justice in the Bay Area before moving to Washington, DC in 2006 and then to Seattle in 2010. Locally, he chaired the board of Sustainable Seattle for several years and recently rolled off the board of Social Venture Partners after six years of service.

As an early supporter of Terra Nostra and now Earth Creative, Dave believes that art can connect people to climate justice and encourage them to take action on the existential threat of climate change.

Gregory Youtz

Secretary

Gregory Youtz served as Professor of Music Composition and Chinese Studies at Pacific Lutheran University from 1984 to 2023. He is a regular pre-concert lecturer for Symphony Tacoma and a frequent public speaker and MC, presenting on topics ranging from classical and world music to Chinese culture and the study of creativity.

His compositions include three operas as well as works for orchestra, band, choir, voice and chamber ensembles. Youtz’s music for wind ensemble has won both the NBA and Ostwald awards and his 60 minute oratorio Drum Taps: Nine Poems on Themes of War for orchestra, choir and SATB soloists, was nominated for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize in music.

Johnny Harris

J.R. Harris has immersed himself in his love for painting and is getting ready to unveil The Viewing Lounge! With the creation of The Viewing Lounge, he is embarking on a new chapter in his artistic endeavors, hoping to inspire others to stay creative in their lives. J.R. spent almost 20 years representing professional athletes. He travelled frequently as a sports agent throughout the country and internationally with his clients. He spent almost five years fundraising for United Way; and often speaks to youth.

Now J.R. hopes to send a message to others through his artwork to stay creative in their lives and to know that if you believe you can do it, you can.

Laurie Lauterbach

Laurie Lauterbach is a Certified Financial Planner ® with broad international and domestic financial experience. After positions with The New York Stock Exchange and the Foreign Policy Association, she retired after 15 years as a Vice President, International Private Banking at JPMorgan Chase, and an additional three years with Charles Schwab as a Private Client Advisor.

During her professional career, Laurie created and presented public programs for Charles Schwab, New York Public Library, AARP, Chase Women’s Alliance and Hunter College on Financial Planning, Trust & Estates and Women & Investing and a radio program “E-trade on Air.” Since retirement, she has pursued personal interests in travel, art, music, law and public service through programs in Art Crime and Cultural Heritage at New York University and the Association for Research into Crimes against Art (ARCA) in Amelia Italy; and US Law & Methodologies and Landmark Supreme Court Cases in American History at Fordham University.

Althea Ericksen

Althea Ericksen joins the team with a strong foundation in sustainable agriculture, food systems, and environmental stewardship. She graduated from the University of Washington in 2023 with a degree in Environmental Studies, where she developed hands-on experience through her close involvement with The UW Farm, deepening her understanding of regenerative agriculture, community food systems, and environmental education. Althea has long been committed to climate advocacy. As a cofounder of Nathan Hale High School’s Climate Day of Action, she helped organize a student-led initiative that brought together classmates, educators, and community members to engage in climate education, civic participation, and collective action. Her work is guided by a deep curiosity about the ways people connect with one another and the places they call home. She is especially interested in the intersections of belonging, art, food, and climate, and how these relationships can foster more resilient, equitable, and vibrant communities. 

Hannah Griffith

Hannah Griffith is an arts administrator and community organizer whose work connects artists, educators, and environmental advocates through creative programming and community engagement. Based in Seattle, she serves as Executive Assistant and Associate Director at domicile gallery, where she oversees exhibition programming, artist relations, community partnerships, and public events that support artists and strengthen community connections. Her commitment to environmental action began when she co-founded the Nathan Hale Climate Day of Action, bringing together more than 1,200 students, educators, scientists, policymakers, and community leaders for climate education and dialogue. Hannah earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a minor in Classical Studies, from the University of San Diego. As an Earth Creative board member, she brings experience in nonprofit collaboration, public programming, communications, and fostering partnerships that inspire environmental stewardship through the arts.

Jolene Grimes

Jolene Grimes Edwards is a proud member of the Makah Tribe and the Tom and Hazel Parker family of Neah Bay, WA. Prior to her current role as interim Principal at Nathan Hale High School, she was a principal at Neah Bay Jr./Sr. High and Markishtum Middle School in the Cape Flattery School District. Jolene has dedicated much of her professional career to serving in SPS at Madrona K-8, Wing Luke Elementary, Pathfinder K-8, Madison Middle School and Nathan Hale High School.

“There is not a better place to be than in Seattle – serving a community you love and care about to ensure all students become honorable, skillful, thinking global citizens who positively contribute to their school and local community. “