New Wild Whatcom Executive Director, Licia Sahagun
Hello Friends of Wild Whatcom!
With the arrival of spring, and all the brightness and new energy it heralds, Wild Whatcom is thrilled to introduce our new Executive Director, Licia Sahagun (pronounced Lee-shuh Suh-haggen).
Licia comes to Wild Whatcom with stellar experience and talents, and is ready to guide Wild Whatcom to its next stage of development and community impact. Her strategic thinking, keen intellect, and strong communication skills are a great match for our goals and values. As we welcome Licia, we say goodbye to Emily Highleyman. We are so thankful for Emily’s five fabulous years of leadership and see the passing of the baton to Licia as a continuum of that excellence.
Licia brings a decade of non-profit experience to Wild Whatcom, ranging from AmeriCorps volunteer, Program Manager, Executive Director, and Board Chair. Most recently, Licia has been the Deputy Director at the Green Energy Institute at Lewis & Clark Law School. Licia holds a degree in International Studies and Sustainable Development from the University of Illinois and received her master’s in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon.
Though Licia was born in the Chicago suburbs, she joyously spent much of her childhood on a 10-acre non-working farm near her hometown. There she grew up exploring, playing, and just being outside on a regular basis, which fostered her love for nature and her drive to spend time outdoors. Licia is excited to join the thoughtful, welcoming, and compassionate team at Wild Whatcom. She can’t imagine a better way to spend her days than supporting an organization that connects young people with the awe-inspiring outdoor spaces in Whatcom County - and beyond.
When she’s not working, you’ll most likely find her hiking, gardening, birding, exploring, or camping with her partner, Ryan, and their pooch Hazel. Feel free to reach out to Licia if you’d like to welcome her or find a time to connect!
With sincerest gratitude,
The Wild Whatcom Board of Directors