David Cohen — Interim Executive Director
David comes to The Intertwine Alliance with 30 years of nonprofit management and program development experience. For four years he was the executive director of the Friends of Tryon Creek, one of the region’s leading providers of innovative environmental programs focusing on children and with a strong community-based restoration program. David spent the better portion of his career working in the arts before moving into the world of nature-based organizations. He has a strong history with organizational advancement, strategic planning, event management, capital projects and facility development.
David is an avid birder, as well as an artist whose work often focuses on botanical imagery.
David's role: Along with executive director responsibilities, David oversees the many Intertwine Alliance initiative areas. This includes supporting collaborative efforts by managing projects, facilitating connections and building networks.
Contact David at david@theintertwine.org about joining the Intertwine Project Network, getting support for your collaborative project, or learning how to build capacity through your project's partnerships.
Lauriel Amoroso — Interim Program Manager
Lauriel is a nature-based educator and advocate with a passion for helping young people develop a love of the outdoors. She has a Master’s degree in sustainability education from Portland State University and is currently a doctoral student in educational leadership. Lauriel originally came to The Intertwine Alliance as an intern supporting the health and nature initiative.
Lauriel grew up in the Pacific Northwest and loves spending time outdoors, particularly in the woods. She is a nature photographer and amateur naturalist, and in her free time can be found making phenological observations of the world around her.
Lauriel's role: Lauriel leads the health-and-nature and equity initiatives, and takes care of office administration.
Contact Lauriel at lauriel@theintertwine.org about Intertwine Projects related to health and equity, Intertwine Alliance Health & Nature Forums, how to get support for your organization's equity work, and how to become a partner in The Intertwine Alliance.
Tara Wilkinson — Communications Manager
A print journalist by training, Tara has worked in the field of nonprofit communications and development since moving to Portland in 1999. Prior to joining The Intertwine Alliance in 2014, she worked for Open Adoption & Family Services, Hand in Hand: Center for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel, and Oregon Food Bank.
Tara spends as much time as possible wandering outside, looking for salamanders, frogs, lizards and other little critters -- and initiating her 9-year-old into the joys of wild spaces. When she, her husband James and their Brady Bunch aren't making music in the living room or playing board games, you'll find her curled up with a novel or collection of short stories.
Tara's role: Tara manages all Intertwine Alliance communication channels and strategies, along with The Intertwine Alliance Daycation initiative.
Contact Tara at tara@theintertwine.org with questions or ideas about the website, monthly newsletter, partner listserv, Outside Voice blog, social media, or with media inquiries.
Andrew Hickey - Daycation Intern
After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno with majors in philosophy and psychology, Andrew was accepted into Portland State University’s Urban Studies program. His focus is on urban culture and critical theory, as well as integrating natural landscapes into the urban environment, his theoretical and social justice outlook complementing the mission of The Intertwine Alliance. His PSU Sustainability Internship is for the academic year 2017-18.
Working at the intersection of community development and artistic production, Andrew enjoys community organizing, and seeing local art and music that exist outside the network of big ticket venues and festivals. When not at work, he can usually be found at a dimly lit dive bar, or playing board games or music with friends.
Andrew’s role: Andrew leads the content and technological development of the Daycation initiative.
Contact Andrew at andrew@theintertwine.org about anything related to Daycation, including how to create your own.