Claire’s family arrived in Seattle in 1877 and worked in fisheries, forestry, and farming throughout the state. Her maternal great-grandparents owned a large farm in Lynden, Washington and her paternal ancestors established Manning Seed Co. in Roy, Washington.  Claire had a childhood full of Pacific Northwest adventures, inspiring a lifelong passion for conservation and recreation. After spending several years studying and working in environmental research in New York City, Claire returned to Washington to complete a B.S. in Environmental Science and Resource Management from the University of Washington.

Since completing her degree, Claire has focused on building a skillset in community engagement and team management. She spent three years working in the outdoor recreation industry as a bike technician, team manager, and local community engagement lead. Recently, she lived in Southeastern Massachusetts and worked as the Programming and Outreach Manager for Wildlands Land Trust. While at Wildlands, Claire led the communications team, developed community engagement programs, and supported an urban park restoration project in Brockton, MA. 

Claire strives to facilitate equitable access to open spaces through community engagement. She is thrilled to work in Pacific Northwest conservation, and excited to share her love for this land with all members of her community.  

When Claire’s out of office you can usually find her on a trail or a beach. Whether mountain biking, running, or paddling, she is usually accompanied by her dog (and best friend) Chowder.