Meet Our Staff!
CHRIS RHODES (HE/HIM)
Executive Director
Chris has been Executive Director since 2013. Along with his full time duties at Westminster Woods, Chris continues to work part time at the full-service construction company that he has owned for over 30 years. He moved from Southern California to Sonoma County in 1981 to attend Sonoma State University where he received his BA degree in Commercial Recreation. Chris has a true love of the outdoors and spends much of his free time riding the back roads of Sonoma County on his bicycle. He met his wife, Liz, while on a bike trip to the Grand Canyon, and the two have been married for 36 years. Together, they have two adult daughters, Allison and Monika, who have many fond memories of their experiences attending camp at the Woods.
707-874-2426 ext 632 | chrisr@westminsterwoods.org
RYAN MCKENZIE (HE/HIM)
Program Director
Ryan McKenzie always seeks to stay connected to the soul of the world by finding God in the dirt. Nourished and inspired by a lifetime of awe and wonder within the embrace of God’s magnificent Creation, Ryan's faith was deeply shaped by the history and theology of the Celtic Church in Ireland and Scotland. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Nevada Reno and a Masters degree in Theology and Biblical studies with an emphasis in Celtic Christian Spirituality from Fuller Seminary. Education and experience fuels his deep love for historical context, contemplative worship, and the exploration of the human relationship to God, Creation, each other, and ourselves. He has worked in professional ministry within the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) for over twenty-four years in Youth and Family Ministry, Hospital Chaplaincy, and Camp and Conference Ministry at Calvin Crest, Zephyr Point, and Westminster Woods. Ryan has three children: Naomi, Adelaide, and Caelum, and a 100lbs Bernese Mountain Dog named Henley.
707-874-2426 ext 611 | ryan@westminsterwoods.org
BEN EVENBECK (HE/HIM)
Buildings and Grounds Manager
Ben grew up in Indiana attending Waycross summer camp outside of Bloomington, and experienced the magic of camp. He spent many summers as a camper and eventually counselor. Ben has been a camping professional for almost 20 years! In addition to being the Buildings and Grounds Manager at the Woods, Ben is a volunteer with Camp Meeker Fire and loves to go surf casting along the Sonoma Coast. Ben also helps coach his teenage daughters softball team. Along with Dave Letterman, Ben went to school at Ball State University.
707-874-2426 ext 625 | ben@westminsterwoods.org
CASEY “POPCORN” STACHELSKI (SHE/THEY)
School Programs Manager
A series of happy accidents, well-timed decisions and serendipities have led me to Westminster Woods and my role as the School Programs Manager and I couldn’t be happier here!
As the head of School Programs, my task is to guide the vision and direction of our beloved program. In practice, my work centers on balancing deep care for our staff with careful tending of our program. Every day I work to build authentic relationships as well as to make School Programs accessible, equitable and environmentally –conscious.
I believe in integrity and authenticity. I believe that strong leadership comes through listening and learning. I believe that what our team builds together is so much more beautiful than what one person can do on their own. The strength of School Programs is in our people and Westminster Woods is home to the finest educators and youth development professionals that California has to offer. I feel incredibly blessed to work, play, sing, dance and learn alongside my dearest friends.
707-874-2426 ext 616 | casey@westminsterwoods.org
CHARLOTTE “CHARLIGHT” TROTTER (SHE/HER)
Summer and Weekend Programs Manager
Charlotte Trotter has a strong passion for social justice and social change. She attended the University in Redlands and graduated with a B.A. in Race and Ethnic Studies and Psychology. Previously, Charlotte worked for experiential education programs, including The Mosaic Project and REACH, which used evidence-based, social-emotional learning curriculum, to address issues of difference, build self-esteem, and inspire inclusion with students from markedly different communities. Through her studies and experience, Charlotte passionately believes that educational weeklong camp programs provides kids from different backgrounds the unique opportunity to come together, listen, understand, and empathize with one another in ways that break cycles of violence and social disparity. Through experiential education and social emotional learning, camp provides space for kids to break down stereotypes and prejudice in order to eliminate the gaps that can so easily divide the Human Family. At Westminster Woods, Charlotte aspires to create an intentional spiritual sanctuary where people of all ages can "Discover Their Song;" to explore, grow, and deepen one's relationship with their Self, Others, Nature, and God.
707-874-2426 ext 612 | charlotte@westminsterwoods.org
GAYLE GARDNER (SHE/HER)
Food Services Manager
Gayle has been creating healthy, great tasting food for Westminster Woods for over 20 years. Born with a spatula in her hand, Gayle has worked backstage creating food for entertainers such as Ray Charles and Johnny Cash. Her hobbies include cruising farmer's markets, botanical gardens and continuing her education in health and food connections.
707-874-2426 ext 626 | gayle@westminsterwoods.org
JESSE POSEHN (HE/HIM)
Challenge Course Manager
Jesse was born and raised in Roseville, CA and attended undergrad in Tacoma, WA. Echo's first time at Westminster Woods was when he was a baby, he attended summer camps here throughout his youth and loved it so much that he went on to work as a counselor at camp. In 2015, Jesse joined the Challenge Course Team and worked his way up from Challenge Course Technician to Challenge Course Coordinator, and now the Manager of the course. In his free time, Echo likes to play basketball, read books and Manga, play music, and spend time with friends or in nature.
Certifications: Challenge Course Level 2, Challenge Course Manager.
707-874-2426 ext 633 | challengecourse@westminsterwoods.org
LIZ RHODES (SHE/HER)
Administrative Manager
Liz is from Queens, New York and moved to Santa Rosa to attend SRJC and then Sonoma State University, where she earned a BA in Business Management. She has done office work for “not for” and “for” profit businesses for over 25 years. Liz is married to Chris Rhodes and together they have two adult children and one adorable granddaughter. Liz and Chris attend Presbyterian Church of the Roses in Santa Rosa. For fun, Liz enjoys live music and free style solo dance.
707-874-2426 ext 636 | liz@westminsterwoods.org
LUPE OLIVARES (SHE/HER)
Housekeeping Manager
Lupe leads the Housekeeping staff, making sure camp is always looking its best. She has been with Westminster Woods for over 15 years.
707-874-2426 ext 618 | lupe@westminsterwoods.org
MARK FASSETT (HE/HIM)
Guest Services Manager
Mark grew up in Michigan and has decades of camp and nonprofit experience. He manages our Guest Group rentals and other various functions around the Woods. Mark and his family live in Sebastopol, and he loves hiking the California hills any chance he gets.
707-874-2426 ext 629 | mark@westminsterwoods.org
LILLIAN “PUMA” KARL (SHE/HER)
Communications Coordinator
Lil grew up in Richmond, CA and fell in love with the outdoors through summer camp and family camping trips. She has spent many summers sharing the joys of outdoor adventure with youth as a counselor and teen camp director at Camp Woolman in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. At Dickinson College in Pennsylvania, she majored in American Studies and blended her love of the outdoors with her passion for social justice through her senior thesis which examined approaches to making the outdoors a more inclusive space. Lil has worked as a Teacher Naturalist at Walker Creek Ranch and Westminster Woods. When she’s not playing outdoors, Lil enjoys hanging out with cats, baking cookies and listening to podcasts.
707-874-2426 ext 624 | communications@westminsterwoods.org
LO “SLIME” TAYLOR (THEY/SHE)
Challenge Course Coordinator
Lo hails from the lush, green rainforests of Asheville, North Carolina where they spent their childhood rock-hopping in streams. Lo got their degree in Sustainable Agriculture from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, where they spent every bit of their time backpacking and fly fishing their way through the Cascades. After several years of travel and working as a farmer, Lo landed in California and stumbled into the world of outdoor education. Lo loves painting their hair different colors, the feeling of granite beneath their fingers, roller skating to some sick tunes and enjoying the little things in life.
707-874-2426 ext 633 | challengecourse@westminsterwoods.org
MASON “FLAMINGO” (HE/HIM)
School Programs Coordinator
Flamingo is a migratory Californian, Bay Area born and schooled in Environmental Education at CSU Monterey Bay. He has practiced outdoor education and child development for ten years across various camps, schools, states and emirates. Mingo loves skating, scatting and cat sitting.
707-874-2426 ext 627 | mason@westminsterwoods.org
MEGHAN “SPROUT” (SHE/HER)
School Programs Coordinator
Originally from Santa Rosa, Meghan has had the joy of living in and exploring different parts of California throughout her life. Prior to working at Westminster Woods, Meghan worked as an educator for San Joaquin Outdoor Education and the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies. Meghan is happy to be back in Sonoma County and living/working in this lovely gem of a community. Outside of work, Meghan can be found hiking, trail running, making yummy food (sourdough bread is a favorite), watching Marvel shows, and listening to music.
707-874-2426 ext 627 | meghan@westminsterwoods.org
MORGAN “TOBIKO” KINUNEN (HE/HIM) Summer and Weekend Programs Coordinator
Morgan brings a unique perspective to his role as he grew up right here at camp, deeply immersed in the program from a young age. With a wealth of experience working our challenge course as well as his four years of Summer Staff, Morgan has honed his skills in fostering teamwork, communication, and personal growth. Passionate about making a positive impact on others, Morgan is currently working toward his Master's Degree in Clinical Counseling at Dominican University of California, and also works as a high school XC/Track coach. In his free time, Morgan is an avid consumer of books and podcasts, and can often we found hiking/running local trails or else posted up at the coast. His firsthand understanding of the transformative power of the camp experience, combined with his commitment to helping others navigate their personal journeys, makes him an invaluable asset to our community.
707-874-2426 ext 612 | summerprograms@westminsterwoods.org
RUTH “FEATHER” SHIRLEY (SHE/HER)
Guest Services Coordinator and Registrar
Ruth “Feather” spent much of her time outdoors as a kid, including attending camp at Westminster Woods. All this time spent enjoying God’s creation inspired her to pursue a career in the camp industry. While she was earning her degree in Outdoor Leadership, she spent her summers on staff at The Woods. After graduating, she taught outdoors as a Teacher Naturalist for about ten years before coming into her current role here at camp. Ruth enjoys spending lots of time outside, and those who join her on hikes or bike rides know that she’s always listening to and watching for local birds, earning her the camp name “Feather”.
707-874-2426 ext 622 | ruth@westminsterwoods.org
STEVEN “NAUTILUS” HOWARD (HE/HIM)
School Programs Logistics Coordinator and Head
Lifeguard
Nautilus grew up in Yuba City, California. He went to Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State University), where he received a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology while also minoring in Scientific Diving. Nautilus has a long history here at the Woods; he first came here as a high school camper back in 2007. Under these redwood trees, he found a calling and a home. He has worked as a Summer Staffer starting in 2011 and all the way through 2022, doing it all. He worked as a cabin counselor, in the kitchen, as the camp photographer, was a lead counselor, and coordinated various parts of our summer programs, such as Elevation, Buccaneer, Friendship Camp, and the Redwood Center. Nautilus started his Outdoor Education career just up the creek at our neighbor Alliance Redwoods for a year before finally coming home and joining the Woods’ year-round team in 2019 as a Teacher Naturalist. He loves spending time at the ocean, both above and below the waves, as he scuba dives along the beautiful northern California coast. When he’s not out adventuring, he enjoys spending time with his friends playing Magic the Gathering or hanging out with his big fluffy cat Louise.
707-874-2426 ext 623 | logistics@westminsterwoods.org