Staff & Board

Janine Boire, Executive Director

Janine Boire began her career as a High School intern at Pacific Science Center in Seattle in 1978, where she continued to work for 12 years in an array of positions including Volunteer Coordinator, Group Sales Coordinator and Special Events Manager. After leaving Pacific Science Center she went on to serve as the founding Director of the ¡Explora! Science Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Ms. Boire, working hand-in-hand with the Board and the City of Albuquerque, tripled the capital funding for ¡Explora! from $4 to $12 million and took the operating budget from $0 to $1 million in three years in the poorest state in the nation.

In 1997, Janine was awarded a fellowship for graduate study at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. After completing her Master’s Degree in Public Policy in 1998, Janine was asked to stay on as a consultant to the School in planning several initiatives including developing the Master’s Degree recruiting strategy and exploring the creation of a public policy consultancy affiliated with the Woodrow Wilson School.

Subsequently Ms. Boire worked with Leadership for Environment And Development International (LEAD International), a non-governmental organization (NGO) based in New York. With the mission to develop a global network of emerging leaders dedicated to sustainable development, Janine was responsible for the start-up creation of the US affiliate LEAD USA.

Prior to joining the PTMSC team, Janine served as the Executive Director of Discovery Center of Idaho where the organization’s mission and her personal mission converge: Inspire lifelong interest and learning in science, technology, engineering and math.

Liesl Slabaugh, Marketing & Development Director

As Marketing & Development Director, Liesl delights in helping people put their passion for the environment into action. She says, "My job is to make the action of supporting the Marine Science Center a positive one. When people know that their resources are making a difference they feel good." She adds, "it is a very powerful experience to see one's deepest held values become actual in the world and I am honored to be part of that." Liesl also works with staff to be sure resources are stewarded well. She is motivated by a desire to help people of all ages feel a deep relationship with the natural environment. 

Liesl holds a BA in philosophy from Haverford College and an MPA from the University of Colorado. Liesl has served on many volunteer boards and commissions, including the Jefferson County Community Foundation, the Port Townsend Planning Commission, and the Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Board. She has worked for nonprofits for over 20 years, including United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Womenspace.

Phil Dinsmore, Facilities Coordinator

When you get right down to it, Phil’s primary focus is keeping the water flowing for the marine exhibit. That, and anything related to facilities and operations. In previous incarnations he worked as a GIS analyst and an organic vegetable farmer, but is very happy to be connecting with the marine world now. Other compelling interests include backcountry skiing, singing, hiking (with his dog!), gardening (with his sweatheart Wendy!), baking bread, and contemplating humans’ relationship with everything else.

360-385-5582
ext. 104
bkay@ptmsc.org

Brian Kay, Marketing & Development Coordinator

A brief rundown of his numerous tasks: as part of the marketing team, Brian designs print and web collateral for PTMSC's events and programs while updating the PTMSC website, social media channels, and enewsletter communications. Development duties include maintaining the donor database and membership programs, as well as providing administrative support to the Tides of March Benefit Auction. Brian also attends to internal IT matters.  

Brian previously held the role of administrative coordinator for PTMSC, has interned with Copper Canyon Press and worked previously with Oregon State Parks as a public service representative. Whether it's sipping americanos at a local Port Townsend coffee shop, cranking punk rock on his RAV4 stereo on another errand to the local hardware store, day-tripping to any of the infinitely beautiful locations around the Olympic Peninsula with his amazing and beautiful wife Dana, or just spending a rainy day at his beautiful home with his lively cats Luke and Leia, Brian enjoys living the good life. (Oh, and he likes bowling, too.)

360-385-5582
ext. 301
bcarlson@ptmsc.org

Betsy Carlson, Citizen Science Coordinator

Part of the PTMSC team since 2015, Betsy is thrilled to help coordinate Citizen Science projects, educational programs, volunteers, the Discover Lab, and the center’s data management.

Betsy has a Bachelors of Science in Plant Science from the University of Delaware and a Masters of Environmental Studies from Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. She has worked on a diverse array of projects with Washington State University, Olympic National Park, ForTerra, Olympic Park Institute, and Peace Corps Madagascar.

Always up for an adventure, Betsy is an outdoor enthusiast and loves to travel. She spent six years in Madagascar, one on a remote island studying forest habitat of an endangered primate, the Aye-aye. She fell in love with the Pacific Northwest as a backcountry ranger for Olympic National Park and has called Port Townsend home since the early 1990s. She enjoys gardening and raising her two sons.

360-385-5582
ext. 120
gsanchez@ptmsc.org

Gabriele Sanchez, Volunteer & Programs Coordinator

As volunteer coordinator, Gabriele enjoys working with the amazing crew of volunteers, the heart of PTMSC, who contribute in all sorts of capacities to support our mission. With the other part of her job, as programs coordinator, she also assists schools, groups and individuals in registering for our school and public programs.

Prior to moving to Port Townsend, Gabriele was the creator and owner/operator of The Retreat House in Rockport, Texas, an arts and crafts retreat facility. When she’s not working at the Marine Science Center, she enjoys volunteering, reading, knitting and exploring and learning about the Salish Sea environment.

360-385-5582
ext 122
aredman@ptmsc.org

Alexandra Redman, Aquarist

Ali is from Washington and grew up sailing the Salish Sea.  Always interested in conservation and animal husbandry Ali initially worked with terrestrial species from Southeast Asia. After getting her undergraduate degree from University of Washington she worked at an animal rescue facility in Borneo. She returned to the USA to pursue a master’s degree at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and refocus her career on the marine environment.  Most recently she oversaw the wet labs, aquarium, and field courses at the Chincoteague Bay Field Station in Virginia.  When not working Ali enjoys introducing her husband and son to the beautiful environment she grew up in. 

Lily Evanston,
Americorps - Citizen Science Educator

I was originally from Eugene Oregon where I studied Environmental Studies at the University of Oregon. During my time in college, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Patagonia, volunteer abroad at an animal rehabilitation center in Belize, and intern as a naturalist in the Adirondack Mountains and Glacier National Park. Most recently I spent the summer working as a Biological Science Technician for the BLM in Eastern Montana. I am is so excited to be returning to the PNW as the Citizen Science Educator for Port Townsend Marine Science Center. I enjoy baking/cooking, and spending as much time outdoors as possible!

James Swanson,
Americorps - Marine Exhibit Educator

Hi everyone, my name is James. I recently Graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Degree in Environmental Science along with a Fisheries and Wildlife minor. I grew up in rural central Minnesota, known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes. I was always surrounded by cornfields, horses, and lakes all around. I have a horse named “Easy”--there is a long story behind that, ask me sometime! I enjoy hiking, horseback riding, fishing, snorkeling, and biking. I’m a big coffee fanatic so I’m very excited to see how Washington compares to Minnesota. My favorite show is Game of Thrones and my favorite animal is an orca. Ever since I was a little kid I dreamt about the ocean and knew I wanted my career to be a part of it. I’d spend hours watching The Blue Planet documentary series to learn about the ocean. Fun Fact, I used to live in Hawaii, so this isn’t going to be my first time around salt water. Conservation is my passion, and I’m very excited to be part of the Marine Science Center, to help conserve the Salish Sea and spread knowledge to future generations.

Emilee Carpenter,
Americorps - ​Natural History Exhibit and Volunteer Educator 

I grew up along the coast of southern CA, where my interest in marine biology was first sparked as a young child exploring the tide pools. Growing up in southern CA, I quickly began to crave nature and a little more rain. I followed my interests for marine biology and moved to WA for school. At Western Washington University, I was introduced to environmental education and quickly fell in love engaging people with nature. This past year, I have taught environmental education at Padilla Bay and wish to continue connecting people to nature. In my free time, you can find me reading in my hammock, hiking, gardening or most likely petting everyone’s dog.

Mariah Vane,
Americorps - Marine Mammal Stranding Educator

I was born and raised in Port Townsend and spent much of my childhood immersed in its waters and green spaces. I attended the University of Washington and took courses in marine biology, ecology, conservation, and environmental studies. Since college, I have worked with various conservation-oriented nonprofit research organizations across the country including: Mote Marine Laboratories, The Seattle Aquarium, The Burke Museum, The Whale Museum, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, and UW’s Predator Ecology Lab. I am fascinated by the resiliency of life and the complexities of human-animal coexistence. I love hiking, camping, drawing, crafting, cooking, and gardening. I am super excited to return to Port Townsend and work with the PTMSC community to inspire wonder, learning, and conservation!