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Meet the Team

Staff

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Rev. James Amadon, DMin

Executive Director

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James was raised in the Great North Woods of New Hampshire, but has called the Pacific Northwest home since 2007. He is an ordained pastor with 15 years of church ministry experience, and holds a Doctor of Ministry from Duke Divinity School, where he focused his work on developing an ecotheological approach to leadership. James is driven by a passion to integrate religion, nature-based spirituality, and environmental stewardship. As the leader of Circlewood, he guides the mission of accelerating the greening of humanity through Circlewood’s media and education work, as well as the development of Circlewood’s sustainable learning and retreat center on Camano Island. He lives on Camano with his family.​

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Louise Conner, MFA

The Ecological Disciple

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Louise was born and raised in Washington and although she has lived in other wonderful places, it is the place where she feels most at home. She has served in various roles with Circlewood: board member, volunteer, and administrator. In 2021, she and James launched The Ecological Disciple; as Writer and Managing Editor, this has become the focus of her paid work with Circlewood. She volunteers for Circlewood through work such as habitat restoration, leading volunteers, organizing outings, and developing non-timber forest resources. She has an MFA in Creative Writing and lives in the Puget Sound area with and near her family.​

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Rev. Forrest Inslee, PhD

Associate Director

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Forrest started the Earthkeepers podcast to learn from people who are actively pursuing an ecologically-grounded faith, and to share these lessons with people around the world. Forrest has a deep attachment to the wild spaces and climate of the Pacific Northwest, where he was born and raised; he also brings a keen interest in ways that environmental justice intersects with economic development, social justice, and community building. He earned a Master's degree in Native American Culture and a PhD in Communication from Northwestern University, as well as a Masters of Theology at Regent College. Forrest also founded a Masters program in International Community Development at Northwest University, where he taught for 20 years.

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Jessalyn Gentry

Operations & Communications Manager

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Jessalyn is a storyteller with a deep commitment to community building, creative earthkeeping, and hopeful and joyful engagement with creation. As the Operations and Communications Manager, she helps facilitate the day to day work of growing and running Circlewood. She has a degree in Sustainability Studies with a concentration in Sustainable Agriculture and a background in education, communications, and marketing. Jessalyn grew up in New Jersey, but has called the west coast home since 2016. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, reading, traveling, and cooking good food for good friends.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Sam Turner

Ecological Stewardship Intern

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Born and raised in northern Indiana, Sam is excited to be spending his summer with Circlewood on Camano. This is not his first work with Circlewood as he was partnered with them last spring while he was working at Pacific Rim Institute. He has degrees in geology and environmental science. Sam has a passion for the outdoors and loves all forms of being in it. Having experience in site maintenance as well as ecological restoration, Sam loves being able to put both into practice on site and Circlewood.

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Allison Gilmeister

Ecology & Faith Intern

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Allison was born and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin, but she has called many places home since. She received her B.A. in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Biology from Point Loma Nazarene University, including minors in Christian Studies and Philosophy. While her primary work experience lies in university sustainability facilitation, Allison's true life's mission involves exploring the intersection of environmentalism and Christianity. Allison is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Religion and Ecology at Yale Divinity School, where she is deepening her understanding of the connections between humanity, faith, and the earth. In her free time, Allison enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and backpacking, and climbing. She is excited to join Circlewood this summer as the Ecology and Faith Intern!

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Tyler Mark Nelson

Podcast Producer

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Tyler Mark Nelson is an educator and communicator seeking to equip people to lead resilient and meaningful lives during the planetary polycrisis. A question that guides him is what it means to be a good creature among creatures, beloved by the Creator, while restoring creation. He previously led programs at the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology, The BTS Center, and local faith organizations. He earned an MDiv from Yale Divinity School and a BA in Theology from Whitworth University, and has a past career in horticulture business. A native of the woods and waters of Minnesota, Tyler now resides in Connecticut with his wife, friends, and more-than-human community.

Circlewood Board

Tim Hedberg - Board Chair

Tim currently serves as a Financial Services Representative for Covenant Trust Company. Previously, he was a pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church for 22 years. He brings a passion for all of creation being restored to the Board, and currently lives in Mount Vernon, Wash., with his wife Deb and three children.

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Beth Knox

Beth works to bring premier sporting events to the Seattle region that drive positive economic impact and creates a lasting legacy in the community. She has served in leadership positions in the not-for-profit industry for 35 years, with a focus on strong partnerships, strategic planning and community engagement. She believes we are all responsible for intentionally stewarding our earth with faith in God’s plan for creation. She lives in Issaquah, Wash., with her husband, and is mom to twin sons.

Lenore Three Stars

Lenore is Oglala Lakota, born on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota where her father, also Oglala, was born. Her mother is Minneconjou Lakota from Cheyenne River Reservation, S.D. After retiring from a federal civil rights career in Seattle, Washington, Lenore relocated to Spokane, WA to be near her grandchildren and decided to earn an M.A. from Portland Seminary/George Fox University in Oregon. Lenore speaks, writes and teaches from an indigenous perspective and serves on boards related to her interests in justice, Indigenous issues, and creation care. She loves the mission of Circlewood and is particularly pleased that the values of Circlewood are consistent with an indigenous worldview. You can find her at www.lenorethreestars.com.

Tom Ruebel

Tom is a retired radiologist who is interested in discovering more about our relationship with God’s creation and our call to care for it. He is passionate about the interaction of spirituality, politics, language and the environment. He is grateful for Circlewood and excited to see it grow and flourish. Tom and his wife recently relocated from Camano Island to Covenant Living at the Shores on Mercer Island.

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Dave Sim

Dave is the Lead Pastor of Renew Church in Lynnwood, WA.  Renew began in 2012 as a small group started by Dave and his wife Janice in their living room. Before this, Dave spent 9 years on staff with InterVarsity ministering to a multiethnic fellowship of students and leading staff at the University of Washington.  Dave and Janice are proud parents to son Isaiah and daughter Cameron Junia. Janice is a Physician Assistant with Kaiser Permanente and loves her vocation as a healer. Dave is passionate about the renewal of the Church and leading a community of faith that dreams to be witnesses and participants in God’s work of renewal in people, communities, and Creation.  He plays Ultimate Frisbee with his league team, PuA, and keeps his cardio and muscles strong through Crossfit.  

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Michael Matchell

Michael is an Associate Vice Chancellor for Development at Pepperdine University, which has embarked on a historic $1 billion comprehensive campaign, For Greater Purpose. He holds a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. Michael lives in Monrovia, California, with his wife Savannah and their two pugs, Penelope and Big Ed, along with their rabbit Baby. 

Glenn Palmberg - Board Advisor

Glenn is a retired Evangelical Covenant Church pastor, having served as a parish pastor and as an administrator in theological education and denominational leadership. He lives with his wife on Vashon Island, and spends much of his time with family, especially his four grandsons, and also volunteers at a homeless shelter in Chicago. As a follower of Christ, Glenn wants to deepen his discipleship in terms of caring for Creation, particularly in how it impacts the poor. As a grandfather he wants to live responsibly and protect God’s earth for the next generation, and loves how being part of Circlewood provides him with these opportunities. Glenn was the chair of the Circlewood board for seven years.

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