Staff
Mary Brueggeman (she/her) - Executive Director
Mary grew up in the Midwest and spent her free time in nature: fishing, swimming, and camping with her family of avid fishermen. Mary graduated with a BA in Anthropology from the University of South Florida and a MA in Medical Anthropology from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. After finishing her course work for her PhD in Medical Anthro, Mary spent eight years assisting Native American tribes in the SW establishing culturally sensitive, tribally owned health care programs.
Mary has extensive experience in nonprofit management and fundraising. Her move to the PNW in 1992 was to lead Hospice and Home Care as Executive Director. Her last position before joining SSS was Executive Director of Shoreline Community College Foundation and Vice President of Advancement for SCC.
Mary feels a special connection to the salmon and Southern Resident Orcas and hopes to make a difference in reversing their decline by working with SSS. On evenings and weekends, you can find Mary walking or hiking with her dog, Boomer, gardening organic veggies and flowers, reading a good book, or sitting around a campfire with her daughters and friends.
mary@soundsalmonsolutions.org
Jennifer Spritzer (She/her) - Finance Manager
Bio coming Soon!
jspritzer@soundsalmonsolutions.org
Kim Coker (She/her) - Finance Specialist
Kim grew up spending her summers, with her grandmother, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado where she was introduced to the love of the outdoors. Moving to Washington and now living in Skagit County for over 25 years, she earned her first degree in horticulture, studying native plants of the NW, which instilled her passion of being in nature. Her life’s work took her in a different direction where she found that accounting could provide a comfortable living where she could work remotely while continuing her adventures in travel. With the advances of technology, Kim can be found working on a laptop among the trees or cactus depending on what time of year. She loves camping, hiking, baseball, riding motorcycles, kayaking, the study of plants and essential oils, while spending time with family, her husband, and 2 chocolate labs; Indiana and Kentucky.
finance@soundsalmonsolutions.org
Breanna Finch (She/her) - habitat Program Manager
Bre grew up in Wisconsin and found her love for the outdoors camping and hiking almost every weekend as a child in many of Wisconsin's state parks. After graduating with a B.S. in Anthropology, she worked with the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in Borneo, Indonesia researching primates in the East Kalimantan rainforest. When she returned to the United States, she moved to Washington State and worked with the Washington Conservation Corps with Snohomish County doing habitat restoration, which she has been doing at SSS since 2019. In her free time, she enjoys wandering through antique shops, traveling, and exploring the outdoors.
breanna@soundsalmonsolutions.org
Matt distler (he/him) - Senior Project Manager
Having spent his childhood exploring the forested ecosystems of northeastern Washington, Matt was naturally drawn to biological studies and fieldwork. After a stint in the Washington Conservation Corps opened his eyes to the field of ecology and the practice of ecological restoration, he went on to complete a Ph.D. focused on wetland ecology at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY. Like a fish returning to his natal stream, Matt inevitably returned to the Pacific Northwest and has spent the last decade and a half writing land management plans, monitoring wildlife use of restored landscapes, and managing forest and riparian restoration projects. Matt joined Sound Salmon Solutions in 2025. When he’s not scoping a new restoration project or wrangling a spreadsheet, Matt can be found reading, playing guitar, or rambling through Seattle’s parks with his wife and two daughters.
matt@soundsalmonsolutions.org
Brittany Ahmann (she/her) - Development & education manager
Brittany grew up in rural Alberta, Canada, but always loved the ocean. She received her B.S. in biology with an emphasis in marine science from the University of Victoria. During university, Brittany began teaching scuba diving and realized she had a passion for sharing her love of the ocean with others. Since graduating, Brittany has worked in many roles in marine conservation, education and outreach. She previously spent a year working as a Field Scientist in Belize monitoring coral reef health and assisting with lionfish population management which solidified her love for cold water ecosystems. She is thrilled to be back in the PNW where she lives with her husband and two dogs. In her free time, Brittany enjoys backpacking, diving, and reading.
brittany@soundsalmonsolutions.org
Alexandria Pinney (she/her) - Habitat Project Manager
Alex grew up in Bothell, WA and has always had a passion for wildlife and conservation. She received her B.S. in Biology and a minor in Ecological Restoration from the University of Washington Bothell, where her studies emphasized sustainability, conservation biology, and restoration ecology. She first discovered her passion for research and fieldwork during her summer marine botany course at Friday Harbor Laboratories, where she collaborated on a research project that investigated the effects of rising oceanic temperatures on a ubiquitous genus of green algae. During her senior year at UWB, she worked as an intern for the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife on their pinto abalone recovery project, where she was responsible for analyzing over 45,000 time-lapse images from abalone outplant sites throughout the San Juan Islands. Since then, she has worked as a wetland monitoring intern for the Washington State Department of Transportation, where she conducted surveys of vegetation, hydrology, and wildlife at various WSDOT wetland mitigation sites throughout western Washington. In her spare time, she enjoys going hiking and backcountry camping with her partner and their dog.
alex@soundsalmonsolutions.org
Annalise Hill (she/her) - Habitat Project Coordinator
Annalise has always had a passion for the environment but discovered her calling for restoration when she moved to Redmond, Washington, from Houston, Texas, at the age of 10. Annalise immediately fell in love with the lush green conifers, and salmon filled waterways. She spent every moment possible in the forests or at stormwater ponds. Unfortunately, as she grew older she watched her beloved ponds become office buildings, storage facilities, and housing. Annalise became devoted to helping restore our natural systems for future generations. She recently graduated from Western Washington University with a bachelor's degree in environmental science with an emphasis on freshwater and terrestrial ecology. While completing her degree, she had the opportunity to work for Washington Conservation Corps in Snohomish County helping restore riparian habitats. Annalise is thrilled to be joining the SSS team and to be applying her knowledge and skills to help restore our salmon populations. In her spare time, she can typically be found hiking, reading with a cat in her lap, or identifying plants and clams at her local estuary.
annalise@soundsalmonsolutions.org
Susan Tarpley (she/her) - Educator
Susan was destined to love nature from an early age as her very first stuffed animal was a fuzzy little penguin. From the get-go, she explored, experienced, and investigated as many wonders of the natural world whenever and wherever she could. She still continues that passion today. She grew up in England and central California. She graduated from the California State University system with a B.S. in Zoology/Ecology, and then earned a M.S degree in Marine Science from Moss Landing Marine Labs in beautiful Monterey Bay, CA. Susan has worked as a research diver, environmental scientist, ecological consultant, and educator. She loves to inspire people of all ages to get outdoors and connect with their surroundings. She is excited to be a part of the dynamic SSS team, and to promote good stewardship, resource protection, and habitat restoration through positive actions and solutions. Susan feels very fortunate to live in such an incredible region. Whenever possible, she is out with her husband boating, kayaking, hiking, birding, scenery viewing, watching colorful sunsets, or taking quiet walks in the woods or along a beach somewhere.
susan@soundsalmonsolutions.org
Megan Moran (she/her) - Hatchery and education coordinator
Megan grew up in Lake Stevens, WA, and spent much of her childhood on the Puget Sound. She pursued her longtime passion for PNW ecosystems at Western Washington University where she graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Science. She spent most of her time at WWU studying snow science and fisheries ecology and volunteered as a group instructor with Mt Baker Snow School. After focusing her studies on the watershed interactions of the PNW, she served a term in the Big Sky Watershed Corps with Montana Trout Unlimited. She is excited to be back on the West side and helping teach the next generation about the importance of Salmon in the Pacific Northwest. During her free time, she likes reading, snowboarding, and spending time with her cat!
megan@soundsalmonsolutions.org
Ash Linkem (She/Her) - Habitat Restoration Lead
Ash grew up sharing her childhood on both the east and west coasts of the United States. Spending the summers in the Adirondack outdoors with her dad’s family, Ash always knew that she wanted to work with science. However her realization that she was passionate about specifically restoration science was at Mt. St. Helens during a summer camp focused on ecology. From there she pursued and acquired a B.S. in Conservation and Restoration science from the University of Washington - Bothell. Ash spent her senior year of college focusing on the roles mosses play in the succession of conifers in local forests and fell in love with further restoration. Ash’s hobbies include crocheting, hiking, seeing live music with her partner, and taking care of her three frogs.
ash@soundsalmonsolutions.org
Virginia Davidson (she/Her) - Engagement Coordinator & interim Habitat Restoration Lead
Virginia first discovered a love for the natural world running around her backyard in Texas, finding bugs and snakes and toads to show to her parents. This was solidified when she moved to Washington at age 8, and fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. She graduated from the University of Washington in 2022 with a degree in earth & space sciences and a minor in writing. During her time there, she was involved in the Puget Sound Foraminifera Project, researching the link between benthic foraminifera populations and the health of Puget Sound. After graduation, she served a term with the Washington Conservation Corps, restoring habitat in Bellevue and Seatac. Now she’s thrilled to be doing conservation work with Sound Salmon Solutions, in a new place and in a new way. In her free time, Virginia can be found outside rockhounding, inside reading, or around Seattle looking for fun bookshops and new food to try!
virginia@soundsalmonsolutions.org
Margaux Currie (she/Her) - Habitat Restoration Technician
Margaux grew up locally - primarily in Seattle and on Vashon Island. Lots of time spent poking around Puget Sound's beaches and forests was the start of a fascination with the intricate systems and silly joys of the natural world. She graduated from Macalester College with a BA in Biology and a minor in Data Science, with coursework that blended lines between ecology and public health. Last year, Margaux completed a restoration internship with the Vashon Land Trust and she’s excited to expand on that experience at SSS. She loves working outdoors, learning new skills, and working with communities, which previously led her to positions in regenerative agriculture, bike shops, and public health outreach. In her spare time, she’s often working on a crafty gift, doing a crossword, or picking around on guitar. When possible, she loves a good bikepacking adventure!
Margaux@soundsalmonsolutions.org
Liz Zimmerman (They/them) - Habitat Restoration Technician
Liz’s passion for all things green was cemented when they moved from their hometown outside of Chicago to western Washington as a teen. While they spent their childhood catching frogs and biking through forest preserves, they were enthralled by the beauty and vastness of the west. They graduated in 2023 from Western Washington University with a degree in environmental science. After graduating, they served with Washington Conservation Corps and Snohomish Conservation District as a Restoration Project Assistant. Through their term, they discovered that getting dirty and restoring riparian areas is their passion. In their free time, Liz loves to get out and hike, ski, or collect flowers to identify and press. They’re also a fan of anything fermentation or needlework
liz@soundsalmonsolutions.org
Madeline Hart (she/her) - seasonal Habitat Restoration Technician
Madeline was born and raised in Western Washington, where a childhood spent exploring forests and wild places sparked a lifelong connection to the natural world. After completing her Bachelor’s degree in Urban planning and Sustainable development from Western Washington University, she interned with the Town of Winthrop’s urban planning department, helping to implement new trail systems that connected people to the land. Her passion for sustainable living deepened during time spent volunteering with Earthship Biotecture in Taos, New Mexico. After thru-hiking across Europe for three months, she ventured to Australia, where she spent the next 5 years living, working, and traveling in her van. Returning home, Madeline rediscovered her love for the Pacific Northwest’s lush ecosystems and was struck by the growing threats posed by development. Recognizing the key role salmon plays in what makes the Pacific Northwest the unique and special place that it is, she has turned her focus to conservation and ecological restoration and is thrilled to continue to expand her knowledge as part of the team at Sound Salmon Solutions! In her free time, you’ll likely find Madeline exploring mountain trails, foraging for wild edibles, scoping out new river spots, trying new restaurants, or enjoying the serenity of her cabin in Twisp, WA—her favorite place in the world.
madeline@soundsalmonsolutions.org
Olivia Cruz-Uribe (she/her) - seasonal Habitat Restoration Technician
Olivia Cruz-Uribe has lived and worked all over the world, from Palestine to Japan, working in fields such as archeology and education, before settling on her passion, environmental conservation and restoration, which she has ultimately chosen to devote herself to. Having worked for two years with Earthcorps out of Seattle, she is excited to currently be working with Sound Salmon Solutions to restore riparian habitats. She is driven purely by a profound love for the earth, and her hobbies include reading, drawing, archery, slowly evolving into a crab, and contemplating the Tao
olivia@soundsalmonsolutions.org