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 Intertwine Alliance's many 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.
Lyndsey Boyle — Administrative and Events Coordinator
Lyndsey has a background in data analysis and science, and a passion for natural areas, social justice and sustainability. She served as an intern for The Intertwine Alliance in 2014-2015, and has made her way back to the organization while she pursues her Master of Science in Environmental Management at Portland State University. She is currently researching the correlation between air pollution and community health outcomes in the Portland Metro region.
In her free time, Lyndsey enjoys doing yard work and tending to her vegetable garden, film photography, crafting and living in East Portland with her cat and dog.
Lyndsey's role: Lyndsey oversees our office administration and the planning of Intertwine Alliance events and gatherings.
Contact Lyndsey at lyndsey@theintertwine.org for general information and about becoming a partner, membership questions and upcoming events.
Katie Gavares — Equity Program Coordinator
Katie’s background is in nature-based education, where she has worked at creating culturally responsive curriculum and diversifying the environmental education field in Oregon. Prior to joining The Intertwine Alliance, she worked with Straub Environmental Center and the Willamette Outdoor Program, increasing kids' and families' access to nature and implementing equity lenses in outdoor recreation and environmental education organizations. Katie recently moved from Salem, where she attended Willamette University studying Earth and Environmental Science and Spanish. She is excited to explore Portland and to engage with new communities in the city.
Katie spends as much time as she can outside enjoying sunny days, camping, foraging for food, and playing in the great parks and rivers around the Willamette Valley.
Katie’s role: Katie coordinates our equity cohorts and oversees the implementation of The Intertwine Alliance equity lens into our daily operations.
Contact Katie at katie@theintertwine.org about The Intertwine Alliance's equity strategy or equity cohorts.
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 10-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 NW Family Daycation and Power of Partnership projects.
Contact Tara at tara@theintertwine.org with questions or ideas about the website, monthly newsletter, partner listserv, Outside Voice blog, social media, NW Family Dayaction app, or with media inquiries.