Originally from Ohio, Natalie has lived on the Pacific Coast for over ten years. She completed her Masters and PhD in cultural anthropology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, and she lived on Orcas Island while writing her dissertation. From 2014-2016, was a postdoctoral fellow and led work on the CCREC Ethics Project.

Natalie is currently the Assistant Director of Canada House Programs at Western Washington University, which includes the Salish Sea Institute, the Border Policy Research Institute, and the Center for Canadian-American Studies. She is committed to facilitating place-based learning and connecting across borders and boundaries. Her favorite places on the Salish Sea include Yellow Island, Mountain Lake on Orcas Island, and Yek-o-Yek Deli in Vancouver.