Chris Carrel         

Executive Director

Chris grew up in Federal Way and played along Hylebos Creek as a child. These early experiences with streams and Hylebos Creek salmon (along with camping and hiking trips with his family) formed Chris' love of the natural world and his fascination with water and fish. Chris joined the Friends as Executive Director in 1999. Previously, Chris served as executive director of the Washington Wilderness Coalition and co-director of the Atmosphere Alliance (now Climate Solutions). He is also an award-winning science and environmental journalist. In 2007, Chris was named a Highline Community College Distinguished Alumni. He is currently serving as a member of the Federal Way Public Schools' Facilities Construction Oversight Committee.

When not working on Hylebos issues, or updating one of his many blogs, Chris spends way too much time on soccer, as both a soccer dad and a supporter of Arsenal FC and Sounders FC.

Laurie Austin

Director of Development

A descendant of Washington State pioneers, Laurie has spent much of her life in the Puget Sound area enjoying the rural and natural environment of her home on the Key Peninsula.  There she is converting a blackberry patch to a garden and appreciates the natural beauty and diverse wildlife of the area.

Laurie brings a wealth of experience as a professional in nonprofit advancement and fundraising, as well as in volunteer and board leadership.  She recently served as Membership and Annual Giving Manager at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma.  Before that, she ran a consulting business in nonprofit advancement for six years, focusing on organizations in transition and growth, and served as Director of Development at Cornish College of the Arts and at the Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center in Seattle. Currently, she is Vice President of Two Waters Arts Alliance, a grassroots organization on the Key Peninsula.  She has been active as a volunteer in civic and environmental issues, and is married to an environmental engineer specializing in hazardous waste treatment technologies.  Laurie has two grown children.

Hillary Kleeb

Restoration Specialist

Hillary received a B.S. in Environmental Science in 2001 from Humboldt State University, in California.  Inspired by an internship in salmon restoration, she went on to serve two terms in the AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards Project.  It was there that she developed a love and respect for salmon, and a passion for combining outdoor fieldwork with volunteerism.  After a season in fisheries with the federal government, she is now able to combine all her favorite things in her work with the Friends of the Hylebos.

Tamera Bull

Assistant to the Executive Director

A Washington native, Tamera and her family have called Federal Way home for the past 17 years.  Following a long career with the Port of Seattle, she returned to Highline Community College to earn an AAS in Visual Communications in 2007.

Tamera brings a variety of talent and skills to the Friends, including experience in administrative and telecommunication support, planning and coordination, design, and a strong sense of customer focus and commitment.

She was excited to join the dedicated Friends team and looks forward to continue helping the Friends in achieving their goal of restoring and preserving the Hylebos Creek and Watershed for this and future generations of salmon and people.

Lili Allala

Restoration Coordinator

Lili brings four years of field restoration experience to the Friends of the Hylebos. After graduating with an English degree from Winona University, Lili found her way to Seattle, where she became an Earthcorps crew member. In that capacity she has worked on many of our restoration projects. In addition to two years with Earthcorps, she has worked with the Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy. In that last capacity she learned a great deal about uplands and wetland habitat and developed an interest in wetland restoration.

When she's not tending to the wetlands and forests of the Hylebos, Lili enjoys hiking, camping, listening to soul and funk music, and is a huge fan of the Chicago White Sox.