Staff
Julie Anderson - Executive Director
julie@wwta.org
Julie is a native of Wisconsin, where her first exposure to the water was on the state’s rivers. She came to the Seattle area after graduating from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse with a degree in Parks and Recreation Administration.
Since moving to Seattle, her work experience has revolved around the outdoor industry. Julie began at the REI Capitol Hill store, supervising a succession of departments over the years, including Paddlesports. She left REI for a two-year stint at Outdoor Research before moving to Sea Kayaker magazine. During the last 9 years as Circulation/Promotions Manager at Sea Kayaker, Julie attended paddling events around the country.
Julie's interest in paddling led her to volunteer at the West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium and join the organizing committee as chairperson. Over the last 19 years, she has been involved with the Trade Association of Paddlesports in many capacities - as a vendor, volunteer, the organizing committee chair and most recently on the board of directors. Julie looks forward to applying her experiences to the challenges of WWTA's Executive Director position and hope to develop new opportunities for Washington Water Trails Association.
Elen Ward - Project Director
elen@wwta.org
Elen has had personal experience with small watercraft (kayaking, canoeing, white water rafting) in and around the Great Lakes on both sides of the U.S./Canadian border, and in northern Canada. She loves spending time outdoors, including on and around waterways and especially appreciates the intimacy of human and nature powered craft. Elen has also sailed on a mix of larger working vessels in the North Pacific and in South American waters. Here in Washington, she has worked with educational non-profit programs and as an editor. Her degree is in Communications, and when not advocating for WWTA Elen can be found walking and hiking, around the city and beyond. Being outdoors balances her inner and outer lives. Inside she spends her time in a Seattle garret immersed in writing, reading, and researching subjects close to her heart.
Holly Whidby - Membership and Office Coordinator
wwta@wwta.org