OUR TEAM

Our staff and board of directors have decades of experience as fishermen in Southeast Alaska and as advocates for fisheries sustainability and marine resource health.

Staff

Willow Moore - Operations Director

Willow Moore was delighted to join the dynamic ASFT team in 2016.  Throughout her 20 years of work in the nonprofit sector, Ms. Moore specialized in executive management, program development, and sustainability, working to build and support business strategies and objectives through effective marketing plans, increased partnerships, developing performance-measurement systems, and improved integration of quality, operational, and financial information. Ms. Moore has lived in Sitka since 2001 and is deeply committed to the economic viability of Alaska’s coastal communities. Willow holds a degree in nursing, an undergraduate degree in history and psychology, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration in Natural Resource Management from the University of Alaska.

Natalie Sattler - Deputy & Programs Director

Natalie Sattler is thrilled to be working as the Communications and Program Coordinator for ASFT.

Natalie holds an undergraduate degree in anthropology, a master’s degree in Educational Psychology/Early Literacy from the University of Colorado, Denver, and a master’s of science degree in Natural Resource Management and Natural Science Education from the University of Wyoming. Natalie’s passion lies in supporting sustainable environments and economies. Natalie has worked for multiple non-profits in the past providing educational, outreach, and communication direction and support in various communities. Most recently, Natalie taught math and science to elementary-aged students for several years.

Laurinda Marcello, ALFA Bookkeeping Manager

Laurinda Marcello joined ALFA in 2020.  She grew up in Sitka enjoying outdoor activities including sport & subsistence fishing with her family.  Laurinda holds a B.A. in biology with a minor in math from Lewis & Clark College and a M.S. in fisheries from University of Alaska Fairbanks.  Prior to joining ALFA Laurinda engaged in science and fisheries research for over a decade and more recently transitioned into the non-profit sector. 

Lauren Howard, Policy Coordinator

Lauren comes from a long background of work at sea but has transitioned to life on land as a passionate advocate for small boat fishermen and coastal communities. Her family owns and operates the FV Norfjord, a longline and troll vessel out of Sitka, Alaska. She was appointed to the Advisory Panel to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council in 2021 and also serves as an Alaska Advisor to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.

Emily Scott, Program and Outreach Coordinator

Emily is very excited to be a part of a dynamic team focused on ensuring community access to sustainable fisheries. Emily fell in love with Sitka many years ago and, in 2022, fulfilled her dream of making her home here. She is especially grateful to be a guest on Lingít Aaní. After her first week in town, Emily heard about ALFA’s Crew Apprentice Program and immediately applied. Emily’s experiences crewing for Eric Jordan inspired her to become more involved in Fisheries Policy and Advocacy. Emily has a BA in Earth & Environmental Science from Boston University and has participated in the BU Marine Program and SEA Semester. Outside of work, Emily enjoys volunteering at the White Elephant Thrift Shop, hosting a radio show on KCAW, and crewing on the F/V I Gotta!

Sara Beaber-Fujioka, ASFT
Contract Grant Development and Management Specialist

Sara Beaber-Fujioka joined ASFT in 2025. She worked in public health for over 20 years managing state and federal grants and is excited to join the ASFT team to put her skills to work for thriving fisheries, fishermen, and fishing communities. Sara has lived in Sitka since 2001, spending as much time as possible on the water, muskegs, and mountains with her family while also supporting their small-boat commercial fishing business. Sara earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and history from Caltech, followed by master’s degrees in nutrition (with a minor in epidemiology) from Cornell and public administration from University of Alaska Southeast.

Board of Directors

Linda Behnken - Director and President

Linda Behnken came to Sitka with a strong love of wildness and a vague idea about fishing to earn college money. After one season she was hooked— on fishing, Sitka, and Alaska's wild coast. She has a BA from Dartmouth College and a Masters in Environmental Science from Yale University and has served as Executive Director of ALFA since 1991. Linda served on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) from 1992-2001 and from 2016-2018 as commissioner on the International Pacific Halibut Commission. For her work promoting sustainable fisheries and thriving coastal communities, Linda received an honorarium from the Alaska State Legislature in 2017, was recognized as a White House Champion of Change for Sustainable Seafood in 2016, and was awarded the National Fisherman Highliner award in 2009. In 2019, ALFA was awarded the Lowell Thomas Jr. award from the Alaska Conservation Foundation for outstanding contribution to conservation. In 2020, Linda won the prestigious Heinz Award in the Environmental category. She also served on Governor Walker’s Climate Action Leadership Team, which was tasked with developing a climate change mitigation and adaption plan for Alaska and in 2022-2023 served as a co-author on the Alaska Chapter of the National Climate Assessment. Linda has been a Sitka resident since 1985 and fished commercially since 1982. She lives in Sitka and has a 39-foot troller/longliner called F/V Woodstock, which she now fishes with her spouse and two sons.

Greg Indreland, Director and Treasurer

Greg Indreland is a managing partner of Yakutat Seafoods, a fish processing venture in Yakutat, Alaska, where he resides. Greg has also been a commercial fisherman in numerous fisheries in Alaska, from Southeast longlining to Bering Sea crabbing. He is deeply involved in his family and community and plays for Yakutat in the Master's Division at the annual Gold Medal basketball tournament in Juneau. He brings a high level of knowledge, energy, and commitment to our board.

Karen Johnson- Director

Dan Lesh - Director

Aaron Overland - Director

Stephen Rhoads - Director

Seabank Advisory Board

Sam Skaggs 

Sam Skaggs is a registered investment advisor with 30 years experience managing portfolios and giving financial advice to individuals and organizations in Alaska. Skaggs is also the President of the Skaggs Foundation, a small family foundation that has been funding conservation projects and helping to build community in Alaska since 1988.

Liz McKenzie 

Liz McKenzie is an award-winning writer and filmmaker based in Sitka, Alaska. Her work focuses on the nature, science, and traditional ecological knowledge of Alaska. Her projects have been supported by various organizations including NOAA, the North Pacific Research Board, the Educational Foundation of America, Gates of the Arctic National Park, and Encounters: Radio Experiences of the North. Her films have been featured at numerous film festivals and conferences throughout the United States and internationally, including the Wildlife Vaasa Nature Film Festival, the Colorado Environmental Film Festival, the American Geophysical Union, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Alaska Geographic Ocean Film Festival, the Explorer’s Club Polar Film Festival, and the American Documentary Film Festival.

Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust is funded in part by:

None of our work would happen without the support of local fishermen. Here are just a few of many:

Eric Jordan, F/V I Gotta

Linda Behnken, F/V Woodstock

Matt Lawrie, F/V Born Again

Karl Jordan, F/V Samara

Terry Perensovich, skiff fisherman

Nancy Behnken

Dewey Torgeson, F/V Republic

Steve Fish, F/V Kariel