About Us
The whole conversation started with a New Yorker article and continued by chance over a glass of wine at the Hardware Store. Three women became four. Then five. All bringing unique, strong skills to the matter at hand. We all live on Vashon; some of us go way back, some of us are still “newbies” at seven years. We’ve raised children in Vashon’s schools and/or run businesses from homes and/or commuted to jobs in Seattle. We currently live as a project of Sustainable Vashon and are thankful for their advice and helping hand. We’re working on our (official) non-profit status.
The Executive Board:
Mary Bruno is a writer, editor and media consultant. In 20-plus years as a journalist, she has covered science and health for a variety of print and digital publications, including Newsweek, Seattle Weekly and ABCNews. Mary recently completed a book about the environmental history of New Jersey’s Passaic River. She would like to save the planet, one island (or river) at a time.
Lynn Greiner is a practicing attorney and a strategic planning consultant for Washington State’s civil legal aid community. She has directed a nonprofit law office and advocated on behalf of the disabled with state and federal governments and with various insurance entities. Lynn has also served on numerous community boards and has always been active in social justice issues. She lives in a charming, 100-year-old house in Ellisport where she is currently learning a lot about insulation. Lynn looks forward to a warmer house, lower utility bills and an island-wide embrace of renewable energy.
Ann Niklason has tried to teach her two daughters, Sophia and Sami, to care for their community and to participate in creating their world. Her own involvement in political and community activism began in high school. Since then Ann has worked as a community organizer for the federal government and for the City of Seattle, owned and managed her own Seattle restaurant and been an active member of the Vashon community since moving to the island in 1992.
Deborah Reilly is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified architect with a Masters degree in Urban Design. Intrigued early on by the ideals of renewable energy and livable communities as solutions to global climate change, Deborah has embraced both in her practice. She recently became a Certified Sustainable Building Advisor. She hopes her skills and knowledge can help Vashon reduce its carbon footprint and create a better future for our children.
Kate Thompson has a long history as a visual designer in the publishing world, beginning in the hoary days of print and now focused on the web and mobile applications. She has worked for The Village Voice, Entertainment Weekly, ABCNews and other entities and now runs a media design firm with clients in the news and information, entertainment and philanthropic sectors. She has a geek side which she is trying to apply to the problem of a very drafty house.
