Our Team

Diane Monroe

Director

Diane is a lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest with deep roots on Whidbey Island. Diane has extensive experience in administration and operations across nonprofit, academic, and healthcare settings. She holds a BA in Biological Anthropology, an MA in Library and Information Science, and an Advanced Certificate in Strategic Management of Digital Assets and Services. Diane is passionate about information literacy, research, genealogy, and fostering a love of lifelong learning in others.

Our Board

Kyle Walker

Raised in Shoreline, Washington, Kyle descends from the Miller/Brown family of South Whidbey’s Sandy Point. She has extensive executive management experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors throughout the Pacific Northwest. Kyle serves as a Washington Trust for Historic Preservation Board Member, holds an MA in Pacific Northwest History, Archival Management, and Historic Preservation.

President

Melissa Koch

Secretary

Melissa is a visual artist and arts educator whose work is inspired by history, culture, and storytelling. Raised in Europe, she developed an early appreciation for the Mediterranean landscape, mythology, and the ways stories connect people to place. Her artistic journey has been shaped by diverse influences including Asian art traditions, printmaking, and papermaking, as well as years spent learning from Indigenous storytelling and traditions while working with a Haida master canoe carver in Seattle. Through her art practice, which includes creating public art and community engagement art projects, Melissa explores the relationship between people, history, nature, and cultural heritage while advocating for environmental and social justice.

Joel Christoe

Joel was born in Everett, Washington, the traditional homeland of the Snohomish people. He is a direct descendant of the Whea Kadim family, who resided at the Snohomish Village located on South Whidbey’s Sandy Point. A US Navy Veteran, Joel serves as the Vice Chair of the Snohomish Tribe of Indians, as a Board Member for Sduhubs Cultural and Family Services, and works in Aerospace Quality Assurance for The Lighthouse for the Blind in Seattle, Washington.

Vice President

George Henny

Bio coming soon!

Treasurer

Carol Castellano

Bio coming soon!