Staff

Drew Eastman (aka “Steelhead”)
Executive Director
drew(at)gorgeecology(dot)org
Drew has been committed to natural resource management for twelve years and involved in youth development for ten years. Drew realized his passion for environmental sciences while completing a semester with the National Outdoor Leadership School in 2002. After receiving a Bachelors of Science in Outdoor Education Drew served a term with an Americorps team conducting experiential education programs at the Cispus Learning Center in Randle, WA. In 2008 Drew moved to Hood River following his dream to kayak every day. While not running rivers you can find Drew coaching Hood River’s Wrestling Club as well as skiing on Mt. Hood.

Emily Kao (aka “Lupine”)  
Program Director
emily(at)gorgeecology(dot)org

Emily is a recent graduate of Carleton College in Northfield, MN with a Bachelors of Arts in Environmental Studies. Emily’s passion for the environment has taken her around the world to study. Yet her love for the area brought her back steering her towards Columbia Riverkeeper where she began volunteering in the summer of 2010. A Hood River native, her appreciation of the Columbia Gorge has only grown since her return to the area in 2011. If you can’t find her, Emily is probably on the river windsurfing, on the mountain skiing or adventuring around The Gorge.

Mimi Gunderson (aka “Huckleberry”)  
Conservation Educator
mimi(at)gorgeecology(dot)org

Mimi is a recent graduate from Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA where she received a Bachelors of Science in Biology. Mimi is a local of Hood River, and grew up in the wilds of Post Canyon. As an elementary student she participated in the SECRETS program and found it to be a terrific experience. She looks forward to helping students recognize and learn more about how amazing Columbia Gorge is. If you’re on the hunt for Mimi, you can usually find her adventuring around the gorge, foraging for the berries from which she derived her SECRETS name or just enjoying the sunshine.