President & CEO of Parks California
Development Director
Vice President of Operations & Finance
2023-2024 Climate Fellow (Statewide Planning)
Grants & Contracts Manager
Big Basin Senior Project Planner
Associate Program Manager
Vice President of Programs
Director of Development – Corporations & Foundations
Associate Communications Manager
Executive & Business Administrator
Sr. Manager of Human Resources
Associate Program Manager
Director of Programs, Climate & Stewardship
Art in Parks Program Manager
Community Engagement Coordinator
Director of Programs, Access & Belonging
Accounting Intern
2023-2024 Climate Fellow (Big Basin GIS)
Finance Manager
Programs & Grants Intern
Chair, Founding Board Member
Vice Chair
Treasurer
Secretary
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Ex Officio — Proxy for Joe Stephenshaw, Director of California Department of Finance
Board Member
Ex Officio
Ex Officio - Proxy for Joe Stephenshaw, Director of California Department of Finance
Founding Board Member
Founding Board Member
Host of Bay Area Backroads on KRON, OpenRoad: Exploring the West on national Public Television, and Mac and Mutley on KPIX and the Discovery Channel
Kindley Walsh Lawlor joined Parks California as its inaugural president and CEO in 2018. Through her leadership, Parks California designs and creates partnerships to support parks, implements best practices to scale sustainable and future-forward solutions, and fosters inclusive experiences to better engage the public, younger generations, and underserved communities.
Kindley has over 25 years of sustainability, social justice and equity leadership. She previously led human rights and ESG efforts at Gap Inc., a Fortune 200 global portfolio of apparel and lifestyle brands. In 2015 she was recognized as one of the Most Influential Women by the San Francisco Business Times, and as a leader in shaping the future of retail by the National Retail Federation. Kindley serves on the board of the Western National Parks Association (WNPA).
Heana previously served as an Interim Executive Director at Recovery Café San Jose and held several executive positions during her 16 years at 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 Parks California, she spent more than 15 years in executive management positions at information technology companies.
Heana currently serves on the board of Adventure Scientists and is mentor to young executives.
Her favorite State Park is Calaveras Big Trees.
Andrea Cornelius is the Statewide Planning Climate Fellow (2023-2024), supporting the coordination of a multidisciplinary Climate Change Working Group within California State Parks and assisting in the development of statewide guidelines, frameworks, and resources for integrating climate considerations into State Parks planning documents. Andrea recently earned a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Management, with a specialization in Conservation Planning, from the UC Santa Barbara Bren School. In 2022, Andrea received the Mantell Environmental Justice Fellowship, which supports emerging leaders who work toward environmental justice, social equity, and climate resilience. Previously, she worked in environmental education, local government sustainability, and habitat restoration across California, from San Diego to the Bay Area. Andrea is excited to contribute to State Parks’ emerging climate planning to ensure that parks remain healthy and resilient places welcoming everyone long into the future.
Durresha has always felt she’s had a strong connection with nature, which has led her to work in careers that continue to support parks. Prior to her role at Parks California, Durresha spent six years with the Budget Office at California State Parks, leading to a promotion as Assistant Budget Chief. She has always wished to make a lasting impact for both people and parks and has credited California State Parks with assisting in that goal.
As the Grants and Contracts Manager, Durresha plays a key role with the program, development, and finance teams- collaborating across Parks California, and facilitating the allocation of grant and contract budgets.
Her favorite State Park is Point Lobos.
For the past eight years, Will has worked as a park planner for both Santa Clara County Parks and Santa Cruz County Parks. His past work has afforded him with a wide breadth of diverse experiences, including managing a variety of park planning, natural resource management and capital projects- ranging from regional trail planning to neighborhood park development.
Will’s passion for planning is rooted in the importance of connecting people with their surrounding landscape, and he loves being part of creating places and parks. Will holds a master’s degree in landscape architecture, focused on environmental planning, from UC Berkeley.
Will’s primary work revolves around Reimagining Big Basin- a project focusing on reestablishing California’s first state park after the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. Will works not only to restore Big Basin, but to usher it in as an innovative restoration model for future parks.
His favorite park is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
As Parks California’s Staff Accountant, Milton Garcia is responsible for all accounting activities related to the maintenance of the general ledger. He works closely with the entire team to help the organization succeed in strengthening its financial position and to successfully meet day-to-day operational goals.
Milton has a decade of experience in accounting dedicated to non-profit organizations, with a strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Along with daily accounting tasks, Milton has experience with month-end close, financial reporting and audits. Prior to joining Parks California, he worked with several non-profit organizations, including the California Alumni Association, the Center for Global Education and ProNica (the latter two were based in Nicaragua). He likes hiking and capturing moments through photography.
Milton’s favorite state park is Mount Tamalpais State Park.
Emily is a passionate non-profit professional, having held positions at several Sacramento-area non-profit organizations such as the California Primary Care Association and Legal Services of Northern California. Their previous roles have included grants management, fundraising, project management, grant writing, and, most notably, the build-out and administration of several grant-making programs totaling more than $5 million. Outside of the office, you will find Emily scheming up her next kayaking, backpack, or camping adventure, and they hope to one day section hike the Pacific Crest Trail. They currently serve as the co-president of the Prytanean Alumnae Association at Davis.
Emily’s favorite park is Fort Ross State Historic Park.
Always ready to chart an outdoor adventure, Scott is a planner by nature. He has crafted innovative partnerships, led teams in fostering organizational growth, and built ongoing financial relationships in both private and nonprofit sectors. Driven by a commitment to bring people together in stewarding California’s parks, Scott assists Parks California by facilitating funding partnerships supporting our outdoor spaces.
Scott’s nonprofit expertise includes leading development at Net Impact and the Special Olympics of Northern California. He has consulted with various non-profits on strategy, development, and social entrepreneurship. In the private sector, Scott led business units at International Data Group and served as an executive at information technology firms.
Scott recently completed The Climate Reality Project’s Leadership Corps training and lends his talents through volunteer nonprofit consulting projects as part of the Stanford Business School’s Alumni Consulting Team. Scott’s favorite park is Butano State Park.
Elizabeth Kubey joined Parks California in March 2024 and brings joy and creativity to her role as Parks California’s Associate Communications Manager. Elizabeth implements Parks California’s communications strategies and plans, produces high-quality and engaging content and manages all of the organization’s storytelling channels and platforms. In her role, Elizabeth collaborates across the team to build brand awareness and advance the organization’s strategic plan and annual goals. She also works externally with Parks California’s partners to communicate the vision and impact of our collaborative work.
Elizabeth brings over seven years of experience in communications outreach, engagement, digital marketing, education, and event planning. Prior to Parks California, she worked at AIM Consulting Co., a Sacramento-based public engagement firm. Before that, she spent six years at the California Native Plant Society (CNPS), where she helped build relationships with audiences across California through outreach to diverse constituencies, launching newsletters and social media campaigns, as well as developing arts and environmental programming. Elizabeth began her career as an Outdoor Science Instructor for Sierra Nevada Journeys, facilitating team building, interactive science lessons, and environmental art exercises.
Working at the intersection of art and nature is where she thrives. Elizabeth graduated from UC Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree in Society and Environment and a minor in Art Practice. She enjoys spending time outdoors with friends, biking, running, skating, tennis, making art, and singing in her local community pop choir.
Elizabeth’s favorite park is the beautiful desert habitat of Anza Borrego State Park, where she especially enjoyed searching for and finding the unique ghost flower.
As the Executive & Business Administrator, Rebecca Miller works closely with all members of Parks California, including the President & CEO, and Board of Directors, to support administrative needs. Rebecca comes to Parks California with over 25 years of nonprofit operations and development experience. Her career path has resulted in a robust and varied skill set. In her prior roles she has been responsible for Executive and Board support, written and creative communications, marketing, fundraising, event planning, bookkeeping, database management and donor cultivation. She is especially adept at streamlining processes and implementing efficiencies.
In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys crafting and being in nature, namely spending time at the ocean and among the majestic California redwoods. Her favorite state park is McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park.
Lauren has worked as a Human Resources professional for 18 years, holding positions in both the private and public sector. Reporting to the VP of Operations and Finance, Lauren oversees the development and implementation of all employee plans and policies in support of Parks California’s operational priorities and strategic plans. In her role, Lauren ensures effective implementation of systems, policies and processes for workforce planning, talent acquisition, talent management and development, employee engagement, legal compliance and recordkeeping, employee relations, and payroll.
Prior to joining Parks California, Lauren worked for the City of Rocklin’s HR team in Rocklin, CA, and previously was the Human Resources and Safety Officer at the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, a California environmental government agency working for clean air and a low-carbon future for the region. Before that, she spent 12 years as an HR Executive for a Bay Area-based community bank specializing in serving union members and their affiliates.
Lauren has earned her Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR), California Professional Human Resources (PHR-CA) and Society for Human Resource Management, Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) credentials. For eight years, she was an HR Instructor of a 12-week certification preparation program for HR professionals who plan to take the SPHR exams. Before moving to the Sacramento area in 2009, she served as a board member on the Senior Commission for the City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation Department.
Lauren lives in Roseville, CA, with her family. She spends much of her time outdoors enjoying activities such as gardening, nature walks, outdoor museums and golf excursions.
Alfonso brings a deep understanding of the park protection landscape to the Parks California team, having worked in five National Parks around the country. He also works closely with the National Parks Conservation Association as a member of the Next Generation Advisory Council to ensure the protection, enhancement, and enjoyment of our National Parks. In 2016, he received two 30 under 30 awards, with the North American Association of Environmental Education and the Outdoor Industry Association, in recognition for his community work, particularly with Latino Outdoors.
Alfonso had also worked as a manager with The Nature Conservancy in Washington State, where he oversaw the state-wide volunteer program and led the effort to increase participation in the outdoors to underinvested communities.
Prior to joining Parks California, Alfonso spent a year solo traveling around the world, visiting 13 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. His highlights include trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal and a solo safari at Kruger National Park in South Africa.
His favorite state park is Salt Point State Park.
As the Art in Parks Program Manager, Sarah is responsible for shaping the program’s strategy, managing grants, and fostering partnerships. She brings over a decade of experience championing arts and culture, including leading a grassroots arts nonprofit in the Coachella Valley, developing city-wide art programs, producing interactive installations at Coachella, and most recently served at LA Metro in the Metro Art department. In her new role, Sarah will focus on bringing art into local parks through careful planning and community engagement.
Sarah earned a Bachelors degree from UC Riverside in Film and Visual Culture. In her spare time, she loves to craft with friends and take her poodle on long walks, especially through her favorite Los Angeles Historic State Park.
Kimberly Tran joined Parks California’s Operations & Finance team as the Accounting Intern in September, 2023. In her role, she works with the Finance Manager to process monthly accounting transactions and processes.
Kimberly is currently in her final year at the University of California, Davis, where she is pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in Managerial Economics while obtaining a minor in Accounting. She is excited to be part of the Parks California team so she can learn more about working in the nonprofit world.
Kimberly grew up in the Bay Area where she would often visit local parks and go on trail hikes with her friends during high school, which had a strong impact in fostering her fondness for the outdoors. Outside of work and school, you can find her spending time with her maltipoo puppy, trying new foods at restaurants, biking, and creating art.
Kimberly’s favorite state park is Mount Tamalpais State Park.
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.
Meredith’s favorite park is South Yuba River State Park.
Amanda Zhu joined Parks California as Programs & Grants Intern in September 2023, and will assist the Programs team in the grant program implementation and partnership research efforts.
Amanda grew up around the forests of Northern California, fostering a love for the environment and a belief in the protection of people and the planet. Combined with their background in business and research, they are deeply curious about corporate sustainability, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and access to green spaces.
Amanda is attending the University of California, Irvine, where they are studying business administration with an honors track in Sustainable Societies. Their previous experiences include influence measurement research for World Wildlife Fund’s business case studies, peer academic advising for students of UCI’s Campuswide Honors Collegium, and digital marketing development with the Marketing and Communications team at UCI’s School of Biological Sciences.
In their free time, they like to hike, ID plants and animals, make art, and water their plants. Amanda’s favorite state park is the Portola Redwoods State Park.
Deanna Martin Mackey is General Manager of KPBS in San Diego, and was previously president and executive director of the Public Television Major Market Group (PTMMG), a consortium of the 40 largest PBS member stations in the U.S. Mackey focuses her time on leadership/culture, revenue generation, audience development and digital on behalf of the group as well as national partnerships and system leadership activities. Previously, Mackey worked for 25 years at KPBS, San Diego, serving as COO in her final six years at the station, before returning in 2022 as GM. Mackey is credited with spearheading KPBS.org as a third content platform and creating KPBS’ converged newsroom.
In 2015, Mackey co-founded Public Media Women in Leadership, to provide mentorship/training for women in her industry and address issues of gender inequity in public media. Mackey serves as a Girl Scout troop leader for 17 high school girls and spent 10 years in board governance for Girl Scouts San Diego. In 2018 Mackey received the Hera Heroine Leadership Award from Hera Hub, workspace for women. In 2014 Mackey was named a YWCA Tribute to Women & Industry (TWIN) honoree for her work mentoring women at KPBS and via the Girl Scouts. She was named Outstanding Alumnus from SDSU’s Daily Aztec newspaper the same year and in 2010 was named one of five “Women who Move the City” by San Diego Magazine.
Prior to working at KPBS, Mackey was a writer and editor for several San Diego-based publications. She spent her early years in journalism as a radio news writer. Mackey earned her Bachelor of Arts from San Diego State University with a double major in journalism and political science. She lives in San Diego and is married to Christopher Ingalls. She and her husband have five children between them, one granddaughter, and one lovely Lab.
Named “one of the 100 most influential Latinos in the world” by Bloomberg in 2022, Michael served as the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce at the International Trade Administration. He managed a global portfolio leading the U.S. government’s efforts to open new markets for U.S. goods and services. He played a critical role in rebalancing U.S. economic policy toward Mexico. He was the chief architect of the U.S.-Mexico High-Level Economic Dialogue, which he proposed and helped launch as a member of President Obama’s delegation and visit to Mexico. The HLED was co-chaired by then-Vice President Joe Biden, who reinstituted it as a top bilateral priority upon becoming President.
Michael also served as President Obama’s representative on international economic issues to the U.S. Helsinki Commission.
Previously, he served as Special Counsel to the President in the Office of the White House Counsel, as well as Special Assistant to President Obama.
His favorite State Park is Big Basin Redwood State Park.
As a member of California’s Yurok Tribe, Rosie understands the importance of connecting history and community. Rosie has dedicated her life to the preservation and revitalization of Yurok Culture and is a key partner to the California State Parks North Coast District. She understands parks are not only a place to recreate but are ancestral lands many people call home.
Rosie earned a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology, with a concentration in Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management at the University of Oregon and a Master of Art in Museology from the University of Washington. She held multiple positions within the Cultural Resources Division before the Yurok Tribal Council appointed her to lead the department.
For her master’s thesis, she collected data and analyzed Yurok objects held captive in institutions around the world. Her efforts helped return home thousands of cultural items. Overseeing the Chah-pekw O’Ket’- oh Visitor Center, Rosie was integral to the recent renaming of Patrick’s Point State Park to Sue-Meg State Park.
As a founding member of Parks California, Michael has a long history of mentoring and organizing teams around great ideas.
Since the late 1990s, Michael has designed and participated in programs and projects that broadened the leadership and constituency for natural resources protection. Alongside this, he brought into greater focus the need to ensure equity and engage with historically underserved communities.
Michael led the campaign that prevented a rollback of California’s landmark climate change legislation. In 2021, Michael retired as the President of the Resources Legacy Fund, an organization founded to help design and implement initiatives for philanthropic foundations and individuals.
Previously serving as Undersecretary for Resources for the State of California, General Counsel for the World Wildlife Fund, and as Deputy City Attorney in Los Angeles, Michael brings a wealth of knowledge in both the public and non-profit sectors.
Dawn has called San Luis Obispo home for 28 years, contributing to her community while working in energy, infrastructure and economic development. She is best known in her community for implementing California’s renewable energy policy to positively impact people’s lives. The development and construction of multiple utility-scale solar projects created long-term opportunities for both central coast residents and businesses.
In 2018, Dawn was appointed as the 3rd District Planning Commissioner to make land use decisions on water, agriculture, energy and transportation.
In 2020, Dawn was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the District 3 Supervisorial Seat. Her priorities include: The economic repurposing of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, along with safe decommissioning, housing and homelessness, and childcare availability.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Pepperdine University, and a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
Lauren B. Dachs is president and founder of the Laural Foundation. Previously, Lauren was president of the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, which successfully completed its planned spend down in December 2020.
Since its founding in 1957, the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation dedicated its philanthropy to advancing the prosperity and well-being of California and its citizens, with a focus on K–8 STEM education and conserving California’s natural resources.
Lauren is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a board member of Sustainable Conservation and the Water Foundation, and on the Advisory Council for Public Policy Institute of California’s Water Policy Center. Lauren has also been an advisor or board member for many environment, education, and health organizations, including Stanford University, Stanford’s Woods Institute for the Environment, and The Nature Conservancy of California.
Erica Flores Baltodano has over 20 years of experience as an attorney, policy advocate, professor, and writer in the areas of civil rights, environmental justice, employment law, and non-profit management. A graduate of UCLA and UC Berkeley School of Law, Baltodano became Campus Dean at San Luis Obispo College of Law in 2023. She was appointed as a San Luis Obispo County Civil Service Commissioner in 2019 and currently serves as Vice President of the commission.
A skilled advocate and organizer, Baltodano began her career in Los Angeles reshaping the environmental justice movement on behalf of communities of color, low-income communities and youth organizations. Addressing the civil rights and health equity issues associated with access to public resources, including parks, beaches and other green spaces, she played an instrumental role in creating Rio de Los Angeles State Park, Los Angeles State Historic Park, and other urban parks. Baltodano’s efforts helped pave the way for groundbreaking legislative changes, including key amendments to the California Coastal Act.
In 2011, Baltodano relocated to the Central Coast, where she co-founded and served as the managing partner of a successful civil rights and employment law practice that has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of wronged workers. The firm received the 2017 Access to Justice Advocate award from San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation. In 2018, she began scaling down her practice to focus on teaching and public service. Baltodano is the immediate Past President of San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation and a founding Board Member of San Luis Coastal Education Foundation.
In 2021 Baltodano received the prestigious John L. Seitz Award from the SLO County Bar Association for her enduring commitment to community service. In 2018 she received the 2018 Outstanding Lawyer Award from the Women Lawyers Association of SLO County for her long-standing commitment to mentorship.
Baltodano lives in San Luis Obispo with her husband and their two children, and enjoys exploring her local park, Montaña de Oro State Park.
Dr. Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in organization and leadership. She spent 15 years as a member of the California State Parks Commission, seven of which were as Chair, and was a member of the California Parks Forward Commission. She was the Director of Sonoma County Regional Parks from 2010 to 2017.
Dr. Hart received her Ph.D. from the UC Berkeley College of Natural Resources, where her focus was on the role of parks in addressing climate change. She is also an attorney licensed in the state of California.
Her favorite State Park is Sonoma Coast State Park.
Rick is the CEO of Keating & Co. and the author of how to control the narrative after the comma, a book set to publish in 2024. Rick and his firm are called upon by industry executives, Forbes 400 families, venture capitalists, private equity firms, nonprofits, and governments worldwide to address high-level messaging, branding, and communication. Keating & Co. is the recipient of numerous industry awards, including being a runner-up for Agency of the Year and recognition for excellence in legal communications.
Rick has also served as a senior advisor at McKinsey and has served on numerous boards, including the Board of Overseers of Seton Hall University’s John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Co-Chairman of Bowdoin College’s Parents Executive Committee, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, and New Eyes for The Needy. He is a member of the Advent Health National Advisory Council.
Rick graduated from Villanova University with dual degrees in English and Communications, and the MIT-Harvard Public Disputes & Mediation program. He is a sub 2:50 marathoner and avid cyclist.
Nina served as a professor in the Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism at San Francisco State University and faculty director of the university’s Institute for Civic & Community Engagement. Nina volunteered with Parks California as an advisory council member. Her unending work in addressing ways to break down social and access barriers impacted countless communities.
Nina was a Fulbright scholar whose expertise includes park access, outdoor recreation across cultures, women/girls outdoors, and youth development. She spent the majority of her career in the field including leading wilderness experiences with varied populations. Dr. Roberts’ research on DEI has been widely published and is highly regarded.
Over the years, Nina’s voice in educating leaders in the outdoor recreation, natural resource, and conservation space with new ideas has been invaluable in addressing the need to respond more effectively to changing demographics, cultural shifts and trends across the U.S.
Nina will be forever a friend to all of us. Parks California honors her legacy posthumously as a lifetime advisory board member. Her vision for parks will forever inspire us.