Dr. Laurie Stuart – Executive Director
Laurie joined TTCD in 2021 with more than 10 years of leadership in science education, conservation, and nonprofit management. Her career has focused on fostering collaborative and community-driven conservation actions, and she is honored to work with the Tyonek Tribal Conservation District’s team and diverse stakeholders in managing the district’s natural resources for the benefit of the people who depend upon and steward them. Stuart currently serves on the MatSu Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership.
lstuart@ttcd.org
Nicole Swenson – Habitat Programs Director
Nicole Swenson rejoined TTCD in 2024 with 10 years of experience in salmon habitat monitoring and restoration, invasive species management, grant management, and program development. Nicole is passionate about conserving the diverse habitats and ways of living that provided the foundation of her childhood in Southcentral Alaska. Nicole is honored to help continue the important work of the Tyonek Tribal Conservation District Habitat Restoration Program with the many partners that have made the successes possible. Nicole has a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Montana and master of science in Natural Resource Management from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Nicole currently serves on the board of directors of the Alaska Invasive Species Partnership.
nswenson@ttcd.org
Andy Wizik – Conservation Biologist
New to TTCD in 2023, Andy has worked on salmon and invasive species issues around Cook Inlet since 2014. He lives in Kenai with his wife, daughter, and a whole lot of pets. Andy’s education and career has been primarily focused on moose and salmon, which his family also relies on for most of their meals. Andy is excited to be able to put his passion for subsistence and healthy habitats to work for TTCD.
awizik@ttcd.org
Cayley Eller – Tyonek Grown Program Manager
Cayley joined TTCD in spring of 2023 to manage the Tyonek Grown program. She has worked across the food system in agricultural production, processing, and distribution, including through management of grants, programs, and policy advocacy. Cayley holds a Master of Science in Food Systems and Society and looks forward to collaborating with the many diverse stakeholders in Tyonek to learn how the Tyonek Grown program and garden can better serve local community members.
celler@ttcd.org
Erica Lujan – Grants & Projects Coordinator
Erica joined TTCD in July 2024 with over five years of experience leading and supporting collaborative projects and a strong passion for food security and sovereignty. She holds an undergraduate degree in Sociology and a master of arts in Applied Cultural Antroplogy, both from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Her career has included public health and subsistence research, community climate adaptation planning, and delightful few years in local food retail. She is honored by the opportunity to work with TTCD stakeholders and to help bring people together over common goals and visions for the future.
Outreach Manager –
This position is currently accepting applications.
Charlsie Huhndorf-Arend – Administrative Assistant
Charlsie joined TTCD in 2023 as a part-time staff member after retiring from a 30-year career in public service. She is a lifelong Alaskan that enjoys spending time with her family and many pets, flower gardening, and birdwatching.
admin@ttcd.org
Olivia Mueller – Conservation Technician
Olivia is a lifelong Alaskan who has spent much of her time working and recreating in the Anchorage area. Since completing her B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Marine Science, she has contributed to a variety of field biology projects across the Pacific Northwest and is glad to have settled back in Alaska. From her past work in water quality, fisheries, owl research, and beluga whale monitoring, her passions lie in biological fieldwork and connecting with the land she resides on. Olivia is excited to start work with TTCD and is eagerly looking forward to the upcoming field season!
Dasha Petrova – Conservation Technician
Dasha took a one-way road trip from Colorado to join TTCD in 2023, where she had studied Ecosystem Science with a focus on Communications and Wildlife Ecology. Having previously taken on a variety of work on the West Coast ranging from butterfly research to shorebird monitoring, fisheries, and turtle conservation, she is excited to put her experiences into exploring the cultural and ecological relationships within Alaska and working with diverse partners and stakeholders to contribute to their continuity. When not working, Dasha can be found camping by a river, making crafts, or backpacking abroad.