Mikaela was born and raised in Brookings, Oregon, a small town nestled between the Kalmiopsis Wilderness and the Pacific Ocean. She grew up with a love for the outdoors but her journey in stewardship began when she adopted a section of the Chetco River with SOLVE Oregon and later spent two summers in SW Oregon and NW California wilderness areas with the Siskiyou Mountain Club, restoring historic trails diminished by wildfires. These were pivotal moments in shaping her education and career. In 2021, Mikaela graduated from OSU with degrees in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and Sustainability in hopes that she can share her love of nature with the next generation and help create community resiliency in the face of climate change.  

The Crest interests Mikaela because it brings students together to observe and learn about regenerative ecosystem practices and sustainable agriculture, all while being in a breathtaking location. She hopes to extend these opportunities to students throughout Oregon and foster strong relationships with schools to meet the needs of their students.

In her free time, Mikaela enjoys camping, listening to live music, and birding. Her favorite car camping spots are on the Chetco River and at Lava Beds National Monument.