Our Staff
Todd Elsworth, Executive Director
Todd brings decades of entrepreneurial event production, marketing experience, and business development with a focus in community collaboration. Todd has proudly served on start-up boards, worked for local and global non-profits, and managed his own consulting business and freelance writing.
Enjoy Todd’s catalog of Outdoor Recreation Adventures on Bellingham.org. Connect with Todd on LinkedIn.
Elizabeth Nelson, Director of Programs
Elizabeth has a passion for community health and spending time outdoors. She has a broad range of experience running her own business, working in nonprofit and government organizations. Her program management, graphic design, and marketing skills combined with her background in community health bring a unique perspective to her work. She enjoys hiking, running, playing soccer, and exploring new trails with her two daughters.
Zuzana Pankovcin, Office Manager
Zuzana started working with us as an intern while studying Business Administration at WWU. Through her dedication, grit and passion for the outdoors, she helped us put together events such as the 2019 Expo and the Great Outdoor Awards while working on data management behind the scenes. In December 2019, she officially graduated from WWU with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and a minor in Communication studies making her a full time member of the team. When Zuzana is not working, you will likely see her skiing Mt. Baker, mountain biking on Galbraith and hiking in the Chuckanuts. She also loves to sail, climb, and travel especially to Europe to visit her family in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Caleb Savage, Program Coordinator
Caleb originally hails from Massachusetts, however, he has been living in Washington since the winter of 2019. A recent resident of Bellingham, he has been immersed in the field of Environmental Education for the past 7-8 years. He has taught hands-on science inquiry-based lessons to all ages in a diverse range of ecosystems throughout the country. He has also led backpacking and whitewater rafting expeditions while helping his participants gain a sense of place. He has a passion for the local community, the environment, and encourages his participants to be present in the here and now when exploring the outdoors. When Caleb is not working you may find him exploring the wilderness around Mount Baker or the Chuckanuts, biking through Bellingham, going to see live music, and creating delicious food.
Jackie Smith, Nature Immersion Specialist
Jackie enjoys being outdoors, both by actively playing outside as well as quietly pondering life while sitting against a tree and staring at the water. Jackie brings a background in mental health counseling, creative arts facilitation, contemplative practices, and years as a camp counselor to her work with Recreation Northwest. She is interested in helping people access their playful and creative nature while building community. A native New Yorker, Jackie has lived in the Pacific Northwest since 1995.
Recreation Northwest Board of Directors
We are directed by a volunteer Board of Directors. They provide support, guidance, and leadership while fulfilling their fiduciary responsibility to the organization.
