Meet Our Awesome Team!
Patricia
Patricia has lived on Whidbey 18+ years and know so many stories and incredible people which has taught her that community really is family. She balances her outdoor time with event and video production which has allowed her to learn endless stories of Whidbey’s history, arts, music, lifestyle and of course, nature. Her favorite PNW marine mammal is the orca for their strength and family bond and go to island spot on Whidbey is Lighthouse Point in Deception Pass. She is amused how seals galumph on the shore. One most influential person in her life is Dana Moffett who has taught her the joys of playing marimbas. She loves Whidbey and happiest when sharing it with people.
Ryan
Ryan has been staring at the edge of the water all his life not really knowing why. After moving to Washington State in 2008 to attend the University of Washington and receiving his degree in Oceanography and Marine Biology, he chose to stay for the love of what the Salish Sea has to offer. Every turn he makes and every path he takes from working in research labs, outdoor education, bartending, or as South Whidbey High school Soccer coach — he always comes back to the sea. After joining WIK in 2019 who knows how far he will go.
Sue
Sue spent most of her life land-locked in MT, WY, and ID before settling in the greater Puget Sound where she fell in love with sailing and is now touring on a SUP. Her favorite spot on Whidbey is Bowman Bay on Fidalgo. She loves to go out on her SUP in the evenings as the light fades to dusk. She’s learned that by being quiet and patient she just may be treated to a visit by the harbor porpoises traveling along the bluffs. Her favorite local fun fact is that the name “Salish Sea” has only been recognized since 2010. Her go to paddling snack is dried mangos and favorite fictional hero is MacGyver – the 1980’s television show because of his superb engineering skills and excellent knowledge of applied physics.
Kalea
Kalea started at WIK in 2021. She has spent most of her life on Whidbey Island, and has had so much fun growing up here. Her favorite spot on Whidbey Island has to be Maxwelton beach. She can often be found there taking her dog for a walk or admiring the shells, rocks, and other beach treasures. She loves all things nature, and is going to school at Oregon State University for their Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation Science program. There is a ton of fascinating wildlife in the Salish Sea, but if she had to pick a favorite, Kalea would pick the Great Blue Heron. They’re such majestic animals-until they open their beaks to scream, sounding much like a pterodactyl of the sea. Despite being one of the largest birds by wingspan in the area, herons are extremely light, weighing in at only around 10 pounds.
Cyd
Growing up, Cyd split her time between Bainbridge and Whidbey Islands, never far from a shoreline. Described as a child as a “water baby,” she spent her time in various marine science summer camps and spent hours on the beach investigating under every rock. After graduating from Western Washington University and spending a couple years living the city life, Cyd has returned to the island to work towards filling out her eBird life list and to spend every possible minute on the water. Cyd is a trained Wilderness First Responder and avid backpacker, and when not on the beach looking for birds is often found in the woods, looking for different birds. Her favorite sea creature is the giant squid, which she did a report about in first grade earning her the nickname Cyd the Squid. She dreads the day when the kraken will eventually reclaim her soul to the sea.
Tea
Tea has called Whidbey Island home for the past four years after falling in love with the island while leading a workshop as a nature educator, somatic practitioner, and artist. Originally from Santa Cruz, Fresno, and Oakland, California, they grew up surfing, swimming, fishing, camping, and exploring the outdoors. They studied Public Health and Mass Communication & Journalism at Fresno State, focusing on environmental protections and equitable access to nature. Their favorite south end spots are Possession Point, Ebey’s Landing, and anywhere they can pause to watch birds in murmuration. Living on the island deepened Tea’s love for nature tracking walks as a way to interpret the movements and activity of animals and critters. Their favorite local being is the red octopus for its curiosity and expressive nature.
Julian
Julian is a craftsman and explorer based in Clinton, Washington, possessing extensive knowledge and experience in building skin-on-frame kayaks. Throughout the diverse landscapes from the Olympics to the Cascades, he documents Pacific Northwest beauty and wildlife alongside his puppy, Boudica, and senior cat, Mr. Kitty If he’s not boots on the ground hiking through the wilderness, he is probably capturing these rugged coastal adventures from the cockpit of one of his handmade kayaks.
Jenna
This is Jenna’s first Season with WIK and she is thrilled to be part of the team. Growing up on the Island meant constantly exploring in nature, which has fostered a deep appreciation for the outdoors that she loves to share with others. After graduating from college, Jenna returned to Whidbey and is happy to call this beautiful Island home again. Recently certified as a Wilderness First Responder, Jenna is happiest when exploring outside; whether that’s along the beach or in the mountains, having a picnic, or on a backpacking trip. Some essentials she always has on her include a granola bar, ginger chews, and chapstick.
Tom
A word- and water-obsessed storyteller, Tom Burket finds endless inspiration close to home in Puget Sound and farther away wherever the path of the paddle leads. In 2025 and 2024, he completed the Seventy48 as part of tandem kayak duo, and he also races with a local Seattle-based outrigger canoe club. His favorite animals are migratory, from sea birds to orcas. Their journeys connect him to both distant geographies and the local environment. His favorite canoeing and kayaking trips have explored Minnesota and other Midwestern states as well as wilderness areas in Ontario, Manitoba and the Yukon. As a paddling or hiking treat, his #1 choice is a sour apple Jolly Rancher. Tom plays banjo and admires Rhiannon Giddens, Adam Hurt and Dock Boggs.
Melissa
Melissa has been with WIK since 2016 and brings 25 years of experience in design, leadership, and organizational strategy. She moved to Seattle from San Francisco in 2015 and, after many years visiting Whidbey Island, is practically a local who loves sharing its magic with others. She spends as much time outdoors as possible… hiking, camping, paddling, and photographing the wildlife and seasonal beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She also teaches yoga and meditation, with a focus on Restorative and Yin practices that support recovery, stress relief, deep rest, clarity, and resilience.
Krista
Krista has lived on a coastline for most of her life, first in New York, then Seattle and since 2008, on Whidbey Island. She has been a lifeguard, a swim coach, a Red Cross water safety instructor, and open water swimmer. An ACA-certified kayak instructor, she loves introducing newbies to both kayaking and open water swimming. Krista adores otters–river and sea-for their playfulness, and for their backstroke which is her favorite swimming stroke too! Goss Lake is her most happiest place on Whidbey Island. Her favorite Salish Sea fun fact is that the area is defined by Olympia, WA in the south to the Campbell River, BC in the north. She always carries fruit leathers as a paddling snack, but her real indulgence is a little bit a chocolate followed by a swig of coffee. Krista’s most influential artists are Nina Simone, The Beastie Boys, and Marvin Gaye.
Jeff
Jeff is a lifetime learner and teacher who uses his extensive backgrounds in education, technology and the performing arts to help build an environment that provides experiences that enrich the lives of staff, community and our guests. Jeff is responsible for the physical and virtual infrastructure of WIK.