Welcoming Our Newest Board Leaders to the NatureBridge Community

Sharon Coleman
 
Sharon Coleman’s passion for the outdoors has grown tremendously over time. Sharon didn’t grow up in a family that prioritized time in nature, but she says she would have been a perfect candidate for a NatureBridge program as a student. Today, she can’t imagine life without daily connection to the outdoors—especially in the Pacific Northwest, where she hikes, skis, and paddleboards among the region’s incredible landscape of parks, lakes, mountains, and coastlines. “My religion is friends, family, and nature,” Sharon shares. A strong believer in the power of exposure to natural spaces and science, she is especially committed to making these opportunities more accessible to students from all backgrounds.

Sharon brings with her an impressive professional background in architecture, design, and real estate development, including a 20-year tenure at Vulcan Real Estate in Seattle where she led the development of more than six million square feet of commercial space. She attended the University of Illinois and received a degree in Architecture. Sharon’s expertise will be a key asset to NatureBridge as we look toward the future of our National Environmental Science Center in Yosemite.

   

Bruce Rauhe 

Bruce Rauhe is a dedicated climate and sustainability leader with over two decades of professional experience focused on environmental strategy and impact. Bruce currently serves as the Director of Climate Technology for a family office, a role he has held for the last six and a half years.

Prior to his current position, Bruce spent 17 years as a Disney Imagineer, where his work centered on integrating sustainability into creative design and development. This unique background provides Bruce with a strategic perspective on the interconnectedness of nature, science, and human impact, which he brings to the NatureBridge National Board.

Bruce's commitment to the outdoors is lifelong and deeply personal. Growing up, camping was a formative experience—the primary reason he joined the Boy Scouts of America—and it inspired a desire for the hands-on nature of the wilderness and the focused pace it provides.

This passion is shared with his daughter (29), with whom he frequently connects through camping. For Bruce and his daughter, stepping away from modern conveniences into the restorative quiet of places like Joshua Tree National Park is a cherished way to deepen their relationship with each other and with nature. Bruce believes that experiences of personal connection, particularly those offered within the magnificent classrooms of the national parks, are critical for fostering responsibility and stewardship in the next generation.

We’re also excited to welcome the following new members to our Regional Boards:
 

• Jancy Quinn, Yosemite
• Jenn Hyman, Yosemite
• Angela Chen, Golden Gate
• Susan Raynes, Golden Gate
• Nilesh Vashee, Golden Gate
• Tracy Stickler, Golden Gate
• Michael Schaefer, Olympic

Each of these individuals brings valuable perspective and skills to their campus communities. We are honored they’ve chosen to support NatureBridge’s mission, and we are excited for the leadership and inspiration they will bring.