Mr. McConnell has worked in Bay Area television since 1983. He has produced and hosted Bay Area Backroads on KRON, OpenRoad: Exploring the West on national Public Television, and Mac and Mutley on KPIX and the Discovery Channel. As co-founder of Digital Story Company, Doug also develops and oversees many media projects in support of parks and open space agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Dr. Roberts is a Fulbright Scholar whose expertise includes visitor use and non-use of parks and public lands, outdoor recreation across cultures, women/girls outdoors, and youth development. She spent the majority of her career in the field from facilitating adventure education experiences to park management. Dr. Roberts’ research on diversity, equity, and inclusion has been widely published and is highly regarded.

Ms. Stephens previously served as the Manager of Special Projects for the Tennessee Aquarium, after earlier working on its freshwater conservation strategy. She has a long-standing interest in sustainable seafood and conservation. Previously she conducted market research for Manta Consulting Inc and IMPACTS Research and Development. She is partial to any California state park that involves water.

Mr. Woods previously served as the Los Angeles Sector Superintendent for California State Parks where he implemented the Department’s Urban Strategic Initiative. Through this initiative, State Parks worked with local partners to address the needs of underserved urban residents by committing resources to community outreach and development of urban parks. Mr. Woods oversaw the acquisition, planning and development efforts at Rio de Los Angeles State Parks, Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook and Los Angeles State Park – representing a $150 million dollar investment in the urban core of Los Angeles.

A former executive at Gap Inc. and the Gap Foundation, Kindley led human rights and environmental efforts across the global supply chain, along with their signature women’s education and empowerment program. Kindley is known as a champion of social justice, and an innovative creator of multi-stakeholder and public/private partnerships. Kindley has held a variety of Advisory Board roles, most recently serving two terms on the International Labour Organization’s Better Work Advisory Committee, focused on improving labor rights in global sewing factories.

Heana has held several executive positions during her 16 years at the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), including Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer. She led the national expansion of the organization from one to 18 chapters, in addition to overall management of the organization’s operations and finances. Prior to joining PCA, she spent more than 15 years in executive management positions at information technology companies.

Geoff has led partnerships to enhance park conservation across all levels of government, from national park management to the revitalization of community parks. He was most recently the Principal of Ridgeline Management Consulting, where he helped nonprofit organizations build capacity. Previously, he served in leadership roles at the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy, the Santa Monica Mountains Fund, the Center for Park Management at the National Parks Conservation Association, and at IBM Global Business Services.

Natalie has been fundraising for over 20 years, helping to raise millions to fund career technical education programs and facilities, service-learning opportunities, environmental education programs, and diversity and equity initiatives. Her career spans K-12 and higher education, non-profit administration, corporate philanthropy, and parks. She started her career as an interpretive ranger in northern and central California.

Myrian has developed innovative partnerships marketing program throughout her career. Most recently she led REI’s Next Gen Marketing program and developed a national partnership program with communities who did not see themselves in traditional outdoor narratives. Prior to joining REI, she worked at KPBS, a local PBS and NPR affiliate, where she managed special events and developed media and outreach campaigns. She has been a board member for several organizations including I Love a Clean San Diego and MANA de San Diego. She is also the co-creator of the Latina Giving Circle. From 2018-2019, she was Chair of the California State Park and Recreation Commission, serving as the Commission’s first Latina Chair.

Meredith has over fifteen years of experience in finance and accounting. Most recently she worked as the Finance Manager at the Agricultural Research Foundation. Prior to that she served as a Finance Coordinator at Oregon State University. She holds an MBA in nonprofit finance and accounting from UC Davis. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Meredith is a certified whitewater raft guide, has traveled to 20 countries, and volunteers to help people with disabilities and youth with fewer resources experience the outdoors.

Lilian Bui is a recent graduate from San Jose State University with a BS in Environmental Studies, minoring in Environmental Restoration. Prior to joining Parks California as an intern in Community Engagement, she has interned with the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory doing habitat restoration in the South San Francisco Bay and at Valley Water with Creek Stewardship managing the Adopt-A-Creek program in Santa Clara County. Born to Vietnamese immigrants who settled in San Jose, her parents put great emphasis on experiencing America through the great outdoors. Hiking and exploration are her outdoor activities of choice and she enjoys building environmental stewardship and engagement with the community.