Puget Sound Chapter

We’re here to provide resources for professionals who work in the field of public participation and those who are interested to learn more about it. Our chapter typically hosts quarterly events and a week-long IAP2 Foundations Training in Seattle. If you would like to receive notifications and updates on event opportunities and trainings, send us an email to join our chapter email list: iap2pugetsound@gmail.com  

Chapter News and Events

Stay tuned!

Meet the Board

Robyn Austin, President

A bio is coming soon.

Josh Stepherson, Vice President

A bio is coming soon.

Dennis Sandstrom, Treasurer

Dennis Sandstrom is the Northwest Strategic Communications Manager at HDR, leading teams throughout the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii that are engaging communities on important neighborhood and statewide improvement projects. Dennis has been working in the public participation field for over 15 years, implementing outreach and communications on projects of scales. He has been an IAP2 Puget Sound Board Member for 10 years, serving various roles including treasurer and vice president. Outside of work, Dennis spends his time helping coach his twin boys in baseball and soccer, and making (some) progress on home-improvement projects. 

Jenny Thacker, Secretary

A bio is coming soon.

Gracie Geremia, Board Member

Gracie Geremia is Lyft’s community engagement lead for the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii, leading Lyft’s regional partnerships and relationships with community-based organizations, drivers, and passengers. Gracie previously worked as an engagement consultant, helping government agencies build inclusive and equitable engagement plans. Her passion for transportation equity stems from her experiences working at nonprofits and as a case manager connecting individuals to essential services and resources. She has a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and has experience working with nonprofits, government entities, and businesses.

Natalie Graves, Board Member

Natalie Graves is a Senior Associate at Stepherson & Associates Communications. As a public involvement and community engagement consultant, Natalie supports her clients to achieve their engagement goals across a broad range of projects – transportation, wastewater, parks, master plans, and environmental cleanup initiatives. She enjoys translating highly technical information into accessible and easy-to-understand content for all audiences and has designed numerous equitable engagement programs to thoughtfully engage marginalized communities. Natalie has a master’s degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington. She lives in Gig Harbor with her husband and three young kiddos.

Mary MacKie, Board Member

Mary MacKie is a Communications Initiatives Program Manager at Puget Sound Energy (PSE), an electric and gas utility serving Western WA. She manages communications and public engagement for some of PSE’s major projects. Outside of work, Mary enjoys being a part of the Washington Ice Emeralds, a synchronized skating team. 

Lauren Wheeler, Board Member

Lauren Wheeler is a skilled communications professional specializing in outreach and digital engagement on transportation and environmental projects. She’s a proactive project manager, a strategic planner, and writer and editor. Lauren has served as an IAP2 Puget Sound board member for 4 years.