For Immediate Release
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
The new board members bring decades of leadership in philanthropy, public service and conservation to Parks California
SACRAMENTO — Parks California has announced new leadership for its board of directors, effective January 2027. Amy Dominguez-Arms will serve as chair and Michael Woo as vice chair. José G. González will continue as treasurer and Rosie Clayburn Katri will continue as secretary. The board also welcomes two new members: Matt Armsby and Saúl Acosta Gómez.
Amy Dominguez-Arms has served on the Parks California board of directors since 2024 and is executive director of The Prentice Foundation and the Roger I. and Ruth B. MacFarlane Foundation. She also advises foundations and investor collaboratives. Dominguez-Arms chairs the Foundation for America’s Public Lands’ National Leadership Council and is completing her term as board chair of the Outdoor Foundation.
Michael Woo has served on the Parks California board of directors since 2025. A former Los Angeles City Council member, dean at Cal Poly Pomona and longtime champion of environmental planning and inclusive public space, Woo brings decades of leadership in civic planning, public access and inclusive design. He served on the Parks Forward Commission, which laid the groundwork for the creation of Parks California.
Matt Armsby, executive vice president of Resources Legacy Fund, joins the board. Armsby leads RLF’s advancement strategy, California initiatives, and fiscal sponsorship services. He previously served in roles at Stanford Law School’s Environmental Law Clinic and at the Center for Ocean Solutions.
Saúl Acosta Gómez, senior director for state agency relations at Pacific Gas and Electric Co., also joins the board. Gómez previously served as undersecretary at the California Natural Resources Agency, deputy executive director at the California Public Utilities Commission and deputy cabinet secretary in the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. He has served in the California State Assembly and Senate and worked at advocacy and philanthropic organizations, including Resources Legacy Fund.
Current chair Deanna Martin Mackey, KPBS-San Diego general manager, ends her term in December 2026 and will continue as a board member, supporting the leadership transition. Michael Mantell, former president of Resources Legacy Fund and one of the original founders of Parks California, and Steve Lockhart, founding board chair of Parks California, former chief medical officer of Sutter Health and Parks Forward commissioner, also end their service terms in December.
“This is a pivotal time in our still-young history. I’m deeply grateful for the leadership of Deanna Martin Mackey, Michael Mantell and Steve Lockhart, who helped build Parks California from an idea into a trusted partner to State Parks, local organizations and tribal communities,” said Kindley Walsh Lawlor, president and CEO, Parks California. “Deanna’s guidance as chair has strengthened our organization and deepened our partnership with California State Parks, and we’re glad she’ll continue to serve on the board. As we welcome Amy Dominguez-Arms as our next chair, we look forward to her strategic vision, philanthropic expertise and longstanding dedication to California’s public lands.”
“It has been an honor to serve as the board chair for the past two years,” said Deanna Martin Mackey, chair of the Parks California board of directors. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished alongside California State Parks and our many partners, and I have every confidence in Amy Dominguez-Arms and our board leadership. I look forward to continuing to serve on the board and supporting the organization as it builds on the strong foundation we’ve created together.”
The Parks California board of directors provides strategic leadership and governance for the organization. In partnership with California State Parks, Parks California advances equitable access to parks, climate resilience and stewardship and innovative solutions to strengthen California’s public lands for future generations.
Parks California Board of Directors, effective January 2027:
- Amy Dominguez-Arms, chair — Berkeley
- Michael Woo, vice chair — Los Angeles
- José G. González, treasurer — Sacramento
- Rosie Clayburn Katri, secretary — Klamath
- Deanna Martin Mackey — San Diego
- Helen Hernandez — Pasadena
- Rick Keating — San Francisco
- Adam Verdin — Arroyo Grande
- Matt Armsby — Oakland
- Saúl Acosta Gómez — Sacramento