Old growth forests, alpine glaciers, coastal waters, wildflower meadows and salmon runs are just a few of the gems in Washington’s national parks. I’m honored to be a part of WNFP’s efforts to preserve and enhance access to these magical places.

Ilona grew up an avid cyclist in Central Florida but always longed for mountains. In the 1990’s she seized the opportunity to move to Washington for a role with Motorola. Raising her kids in Kirkland and Bellevue, she took them on cycling adventures along the Sammamish River, Burke-Gilman, and the Iron Horse as well as hiking in the Cascades.

With a diverse professional background that includes software engineering, volunteering with nonprofits, and independent filmmaking, her talents have won her an Emmy for the short art documentary “Kites Over Washington,” shot in Gas Works Park in Seattle.

After completing her MFA in TV and Screenwriting she relocated to the Olympic Peninsula, the gateway to the Olympic National Park. Here she explores the local scenic trails and continues her scholarly research writing about the history of underrepresented communities in film. She’s thrilled to bring her perspective, experience, and love of the outdoors to the WNPF Board of Directors.