Our Staff
Executive Director
Murietta Mitschak
Muri grew up in Seattle, WA and has been very successful in several industries across the globe. Upon returning to the United States in 2017, she decided to make Whidbey Island her home with her family. After working with the community of Whidbey Island for several years, joining PRI was an “amazing opportunity for myself and my family”. “I am very excited to join PRI and help grow the organization and public awareness of the amazing rehabilitation and restoration projects PRI is involved with. I look forward to many successful years at PRI, working with an amazing team who value PRI’s mission”
Land Steward
Mosa Neis
Mosa, a graduate from South Whidbey High School, grew up on the island but left after graduation to seek schooling and employment opportunities. She has over 15 years of administrative and leadership experience, having worked for a large corporation, a small company and even an animal hospital in Lynnwood. Upon joining PRI in 2015, Mosa stated, “I was glad to be heading out into the bigger world after high school graduation, but am just as glad to be returning to Whidbey now. I am excited about PRI’s mission and am excited to help PRI become even more relevant to our community and beyond.”
Office Manager
Julie Clark
Julie, a graduate of Coupeville High School, moved to Whidbey Island the summer of 2004. She graduated University of Evansville with a BA in English and worked in the food service industry along both coasts before returning to Whidbey the winter of 2021. Before joining PRI, Julie worked as an administrative assistant in her home church, the Coupeville United Methodist Church. "My favorite part of working for PRI is learning about the different flowers grown in the Native Plant Center. Before working here, I didn't know anything about native plants, and I don't come from a science background, so it has been a learning experience for me."
Caretaker
Lana Ramussen
Lana is from Bellingham, WA, and is a recent graduate of Oregon State University, where she majored in Environmental Science and focused on conservation, resources, and sustainability. Lana is excited to expand her ecological restoration knowledge and skills through this position. She is passionate about faith and science, and is looking forward to learning new ways of integrating the two in her life and work.
Facilities Manager - Part Time
Dawn Meridith
Dawn joined PRI in 2020 and works part time doing habitat restoration. Dawn says, "I always loved plants and this is a perfect place for me. Now I get to learn the Latin names of the native plants, their propagation, capabilities and other interesting details. For example, Castilleja levisecta, the golden paintbrush, thrives when planted near Achillea millefolium - yarrow. Each day I learn something new about native plants and their value and uses."
Bookkeeper - Part Time
Karen Ruiz
Karen is originally from San Diego, CA and has lived on Whidbey Island since 2021. She joined Pacific Rim Institute in 2025 and is excited to be a part of their mission.