About/ Meet the AKA Science Team!
Kathryn has a Master of Science degree in Ecology from San Francisco State University, where she developed a passion for inspiring nature connection and conservation action through environmental education and community partnerships. She has worked as a school programs manager, interpretive naturalist, summer camp director and lead environmental educator for a variety of conservation organizations, including National Audubon Society, Washington Outdoor Women, Field Trip Society, Trackers Earth, and Golden Gate Park Conservancy. Kathryn has been overseeing AKA Science since 2018 and is the founder and former Chair of the INW's Sustainability Committee which works to develop native plant & pollinator landscapes at INW offices. In her free time, Kathryn volunteers as the Digital Copy Editor for her son's preschool and enjoys gardening, birding, watching sci-fi and mysteries, doing puzzles, and spending time with her husband and 4-year-old son.
KATHRYN SECHRIST
Carrie has a Ph.D. in Integrated Bioscience from University of Akron, where she worked on combining molecular biology research with informal education program creation. Her proudest accomplishment was the creation of a summer camp at the University of Akron Field Station for 5th graders interested in an authentic science experience, which you can read about here. After spending a year at Kent State University working in a neuroscience lab, Carrie decided to return to her passion for science program creation by joining AKA Science as the Program Coordinator in June 2022. Carrie is enjoying exploring Portland with her husband and two teenage children, reading, playing board games, and serving as an Education Board Member for the Zoological Lighting Institute. See all of her research on Research Gate.
CARRIE BUO
Max has degrees in Philosophy and Arts & Letters from Portland State University. He’s passionate about science and loves working with kids. His past experience includes SUN School after school tutoring, coaching a grade school Lego Robotics team, teaching Hebrew school, working as a summer camp counselor, and freelancing as a middle school level math tutor. An East Portland resident since 2009, Max feels a deep connection to his community and has held positions on the boards of both SE Uplift and his local neighborhood association. He currently lives in Southeast Portland with his wife and two dogs, and he wants you to know that his favorite dinosaur is an ankylosaurus.
MAX LOZANO GOLDENKRANZ
Destiny has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Family Studies with a specialty in Youth and Youth Work and a minor in Secondary Education from Portland State University. Destiny is passionate about working with youth and looking at systems to lower barriers to youths success. Destiny has a long history working with high school aged youth as an ASPIRE mentor and tutor, a High School Success Coach, SUN Site Manager, and Youth Workforce Development Program Manager. Destiny enjoys going on food explorations, trying different mediums of art and spending time with her husband, daughter and sisters.
DESTINY NYEMBO
Assistant Director of
Youth & Family Services
GINA KIM-FOLSTON
Gina has been with Impact NW since 2008 and spent the majority of her years working with SUN Community Schools as the SUN site manager at Marysville School then became the SUN CS Program Manager and Assistant Director at Impact NW. In 2019, Gina became the Director of Youth and Family Services. As Director, Gina oversees programs that strive to strengthen and stabilize youth and their families. She values the importance of bringing in trauma informed practices, equity and mindfulness into her work. Gina continues her work in supporting communities of color by being a board member of the Korean American Coalition of Oregon where she is able to bring in her experiences of working in nonprofits for 20 years and connect with other Korean Americans who have lived similar experiences. Gina holds a Bachelors in Sociology from the University of Oregon and a Masters of Education from Portland State University. She lives in East County Portland with her husband and three boys.
Director of Early Childhood,
Youth & Family Services