Michael Wetter — Executive Director
Prior to becoming executive director of The Intertwine Alliance, Mike was senior advisor to Metro Council President David Bragdon. In this capacity, he managed the Metro Council’s strategic planning initiative, founded Metro’s Regional Leadership Initiative, and helped launch The Intertwine Alliance. Upon joining Metro in December 2003, Mike took a leave of absence from Matrix Associates, a management consulting firm he founded in 1990. His work at Matrix included developing strategy and managing organizational change for private firms, government agencies and nonprofits.
Mike holds a Master's degree from the University of Oregon in applied information management. He is founder and member of the board of Masters of Ceremony, a nonprofit that serves adolescent boys through its Boys To Men program. Mike is an avid whitewater rafter, kayaker, cyclist and hiker. He and his wife, Jennifer Pratt, live in Northeast Portland.
Contact Mike at mike@theintertwine.org.
David Cohen — Program Director
David comes to the 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 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: David manages 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 Project Network, getting support for your collaborative project, or learning how to build capacity through your project's partnerships.
Lauren Gottfredson — Program Manager
Lauren came to Portland in 2015 after graduating from the University of South Florida with a Master’s in Public Health and a Master’s in Applied Anthropology. As a student of anthropology, Lauren loves people, learning about their histories and building relationships. She believes that health is integrated into every aspect of our lives, and feels connected to the health & nature and equity work of The Intertwine Alliance.
Lauren loves all things related to food, including eating, cooking and talking about it. She also enjoys large trees, buying plants (and trying to keep them alive), and spending time with family.
Lauren's role: Lauren leads the equity initiative and helps manage projects and programs related to health and nature.
Contact Lauren at lauren@theintertwine.org about Intertwine Projects related to health and/or equity, Intertwine Alliance Health & Nature Forums, and how to get support for your organization's equity work.
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 8-year-old into the joys of wild spaces. When she, her husband James and their Brady Bunch aren't throwing living room dance parties or playing Clue, 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, Daycations or with media inquiries.
Lauriel Amoroso — Administrative & Events 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 came to The Intertwine Alliance as an intern to support its health and nature initiative, and recently transitioned onto staff.
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 coordinates Intertwine Alliance events and facilitates all general office administration.
Contact Lauriel at lauriel@theintertwine.org.