Our Team
Our seasonal summer camp staff is made up of nature lovers, outdoor educators and adventure seekers, specializing in FUN. Many are former campers who just can't get enough of those magical Gallagher summers.
Summer staff includes lodge leaders, lifeguards, cooks, a registered nurse and a camp director.
Alison Mohrbacher first fell in love with Camp Gallagher as a five-year-old lucky enough to tag along as her parents directed for several magical summers. Her love of the place and community only grew as she returned as a camper, seasonal staff member, summer director, and eventually the program director. She is thrilled and humbled to now serve as executive director of Friends of Camp Gallagher.
Outside camping, Alison worked as a classroom teacher for 12 years, teaching a combination of middle and high school English, religious studies, and leadership classes. She earned her Master of Science in Ecological Teaching and Learning from Lesley University, and her Bachelor of Arts in English at Gonzaga University.
Patrick D’Amelio has had a lifelong connection to camp, beginning as a camper, then as a seasonal staff member and camp director, and eventually serving as an executive director overseeing four summer camps providing residential, tripping, and environmental education programs. Patrick serves as as Board President for Camp Gallagher and is serving his first term on the American Camp Association National Board.
Outside camping, Patrick has dedicated his 30+ years in the non-profit sector to advancing equity by expanding access and opportunity through his work in education and youth development. Most recently, he served as CEO of the Washington State Charter School Association, helping launch a public charter school system in Washington. Before that, he served as the CEO of Washington STEM, helping to build a statewide STEM ecosystem bringing educators, business leaders, STEM professionals, and community leaders together to build student success and connect them with STEM career opportunities in their communities. Patrick also served as CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Seattle and supported Seattle Public schools as CEO of the Alliance for Education. Over his career, Patrick has led efforts to raise over 100 million dollars in support of young people
both in the classroom and in critical out-of-school enrichment programs – including camp. In June of 2022, Patrick formed his consulting practice, and he is currently providing strategic consulting services and coaching to schools, districts, non-profit organizations, and foundations. Patrick lives in Seattle with his husband, Jeff, and their children, Etta and Dylan.
Tracy has been supporting the educational and emotional needs of young people for more than 25 years. She is the Owner and Executive Director of A Path Forward Social Emotion Coaching LLC. Prior to this, she served as a middle school teacher and administrator for many years.
Tracy brings 20+ years of camping and environmental education experience to the board. She's passionate about serving the under-represented and has served on the board of Providence House and Sojourner House, both of which support homeless women and children. Tracy lives in Shoreline with her husband Matt. They have two children, a son-in-law and a granddaughter that they love spending time with.
With a passion and long-term vision for Camp Gallagher, Joe Principe brings his professional role and resources as the Regional Manager in the Pacific Northwest for A&A Elevated Facility Solutions. Joe is committed to contributing his knowledge and skills so that Camp Gallagher can be recognized as a world-class organization ensuring that the beauty and experience that is Gallagher will continue to influence the lives of future generations of campers.
Joe lives in rural King County, WA with his wife Susan and their yellow Labrador, Payette. He and his family are avid lovers of all things outdoors, particularly gardening, skiing, hiking, cycling, scuba diving, swimming, and boating.
Keli Whiting is a practicing CPA in the Seattle area providing assurance services to a variety of clients, with an emphasis on the not-for-profit industry. She is an alum of Gonzaga University where she obtained bachelor's degrees in accounting and finance and a master’s degree in accounting.
Keli is an alum of Camp Gallagher and is passionate about staying connected and involved.
She lives in Poulsbo, WA with her husband and their two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors and trying new recipes.
Creighton is Vice President of Government Affairs and Business Development at CNSI a national leader in large scale mission-critical IT implementations with deep domain expertise across prominent industries, including Health, Defense and National Security, Homeland Security and Transportation. Prior to CNSI, Creighton was an aide to United States Senator Maria Cantwell.
Creighton developed his love of camping growing up in the Northwest and attending summer camp. He also worked three summers as a camp counselor. He and his wife Shelly have three children and live in Seattle, WA.
Eric manages a range of business interests including construction and property management and real estate investments. He also has experience in website development and was an early team member supporting the development of MSN, kids group.
Eric has a long history of working with youth camping programs. He was a camp kid himself and attending 25 sessions of camp over six summers (likely a camp record)! Eric went on to work in camping and environmental education programs for nine years.
Lori Lynass, Ed.D, owns and runs Sound Supports, an educational consulting company. She has over 26 years of experience working to support students, families and schools.
Lori has a love for experiential and outdoor education. She lives in Shoreline with her husband, who she actually met while working at Camp Gallagher, and her two teenagers.
Mac Kirschner is currently Chief Operating Officer and Global Head of Relationship Management for MUFG Investor Services.
With 20+ years of finance industry experience, he provides valuable insight into ways Camp Gallagher can grow and thrive while continuing to sustain itself as a nonprofit.
Mac has a BA in Finance, Marketing, and Decision Sciences from Western Washington University.
Mary has spent her career in the financial services industry both in the corporate world at Russell Investments and the last four years on the retail side as a financial adviser. She started her career as a CPA working for the Big 6.
Over the years, Mary has served on a number of financial and endowment boards as well as most recently at a trust bank in Seattle. She enjoys volunteering and understands the importance of giving back and serving others.
As a young person, Mary had the opportunity to attend a number of different camps. She remembers those times fondly and encouraged her son to attend camps. Many years later, he still talks about the wonderful experience he had.
Mike has practiced health law in Washington state since 2000. Currently, Mike serves as General Counsel for the UW Medicine private, non-profit entities, and as Assistant Vice President for Medical Affairs, UW.
Mike has been involved with summer camps as a camper, staff member, and board member dating back to the early 1980s. Mike’s interests these days include introducing his three children to exploring the outdoors, playing soccer, and music.
Pete provides strategic advice on maritime, aviation, environmental and community issues to five Port of Seattle Commissioners. Pete previously served as liaison to Congressman Jim McDermott, WA-07 and Washington State Governor Jay Inslee during his tenure in Congress.
Pete has served in various capacities on boards including as mayoral appointee to Historic Seattle Public Development Authority, and as owner’s representative on the rehabilitation and reuse of the historic New Washington Hotel/ Josephinum in Seattle. Pete studied Anthropology as an undergraduate and enjoys taking deep dives into diverse industries, unique organizations and sub-cultures; developing unexpected connections and lifelong friends along the way.
Seán currently serves as the interim vice president for mission at Loyola University Maryland. He brings 20+ years of experience in education working as a classroom teacher, director of camping, youth program coordinator, leading international immersion programs, and university administration.
Seán spent 8 summers working at summer camps as a camp counselor, cook and director of a camping organization. He believes in the transformative nature of camping to empower youth to become their most authentic selves, build communities, and instill leadership skills.
Sean lives in Baltimore, MD with his wife and three children.
Sophie was a camper and staff member before joining the board. Sophie enjoys being outside, rain or shine. She has worked with youth in a variety of capacities since 2006. Sophie also served as Board Treasurer from 2019-2022.
Sophie has a BA in Math from Seattle Pacific University. She has taught high school math and currently teaches middle school.
Stephanie Bachmeier is currently the Assistant Principal at Cascade Middle School in Sedro-Woolley, WA. She has taught kids from PK-12th grade and is currently working on her Doctorate in Education. She was a camper at Gallagher in the 90s and then was on staff. She is passionate about getting teens to camp because she believes that the world needs adults who have experienced summer camp.
Tom teaches junior high History and English in Port Orchard. He's been a teacher for 33 years, during which he's served as a department chair, yearbook advisor, and coach of baseball and basketball. He’s also served as a high school welding teacher and volunteer leader in the Peace Corps in Morocco, 1980-1982.
Having worked at summer camps for 19 summers, 13 as a camp director, Tom brings extensive experience to the Friends of Camp Gallagher board. He's passionate about empowering young people to be leaders and serve their community.
In addition to teaching, he volunteers at a homeless shelter for men and women.
Bryan is the founder of Sahsen Ventures, which invests in and supports mission-driven enterprises focused on life sciences, education, social justice, and the environment. From 1994 to 2016, he was Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of Quadra/Quellos and subsequently BlackRock Alternative Advisors.
Bryan also serves or has served on the boards of several startups. He is an advisory board member of the University of Washington Investment Company, the Institute for Protein Design, and the Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine. He earned a BA in Mathematical Economics from Pomona College in 1984 and an MBA degree, with honors, from the University of Chicago in 1989.
