Our People
Learn more about our hardworking and wonderful team at PCEI.
Our Team
Bridgette Costa
Palouse Roots Educator
Stay Tuned to Learn More
Our Interns
Finn Simmons
Palouse Roots Intern
I am a senior in my last semester at Washington State University. I am a Human Development major, minoring in at-risk youth. I am originally from Santa Cruz, CA, home of redwood trees. I have previously worked at the Santa Cruz County Outdoor Science School in my hometown of Santa Cruz, California, and the Voyageur Outward Bound School in Ely, MN. I would love to work in an outdoor or alternative learning environment as a teacher or a counselor, and I am interested in wilderness rescue and EMT training. I am excited to join the Palouse Roots team as an intern!
Our Board
Join Our Team!
PCEI places AmeriCorps members throughout the state of Idaho,
and we currently have an open position based in Moscow: Community Engagement Associate with Palouse Land Trust and Idaho Firewise.
Find out more at pcei.org/jobs. Please share with anyone you know who may be interested!
PCEI collaborates with this fabulous Portland-based non-profit
Elizabeth Cabral
CEC AmeriCorps Program Director
Elizabeth is Confluence’s Program Director. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Public Health from Portland State University.
Elizabeth was raised in the Gorge and is the proud daughter of immigrant parents. Before joining Confluence Environmental Center, Elizabeth worked for six years in active transportation – leading efforts to create safe access to walking, biking and transit in undeserved communities in Portland. Elizabeth brings with her experience at the intersections of transportation, housing and the environment and strong commitment to racial and environmental equity, She hopes to bring her passion and background in equity and culturally responsive programming to the organization and its AmeriCorps members. During her free time she organizes bike rides with Portland based Mujeres en – a local Latina bike group she co-founded 3 years ago to encourage more Latinas to bike. She also enjoys to spending time with her family, visiting the gorge, wine tastings, and exploring new hiking trails in the PNW.
Ashlie Tainer
CEC Operations Coordinator
Ashlie grew up in Portland, Oregon, and after a combined eight years of pursuing graduate studies in environmental studies and working abroad leading experiential learning programs, she is excited to be putting down roots back in the Pacific Northwest.
Her career started unknowingly with Confluence in 2011 when she worked as an AmeriCorps member with PCEI, which is where her passion for environmental education and community service was solidified. She then completed a second term of service as an AmeriCorps member with The Nature Conservancy in Phoenix, Arizona and knew she wanted to pursue a permanent role with the AmeriCorps program in the future. Coming full circle, Ashlie is excited to work closely with PCEI again and have the opportunity to put her experiences from the AmeriCorps and international travels to use leading the next generation of environmental stewards and leaders.
When she’s not working, Ashlie enjoys spending time outside hiking, camping and wine tasting. You can also find her catching up on her favorite true crime podcasts and trying to find a way to put chocolate in almost everything.