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 Chung joined Parks California as its first Vice President of Operations and Finance in August 2019 to play a vital and foundational role on the executive team to help launch a new nonprofit organization. In this role, Heana participates in developing and refining the organizational strategy, leads the organization’s financial management, and runs the day-to-day operations.

Heana has over 35 years of operations and financial management and leadership. Previously she served as an Interim Executive Director at Recovery Café San Jose and served in several executive positions at Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), including Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer. During her PCA tenure, she led the national expansion into 18 markets. Prior to PCA, she spent more than 15 years in executive management positions at information technology companies.

Heana serves on the Audit Committee of Sempervirens Fund and is a mentor to young executives.

Geoff Kish is the Vice President of Programs at Parks California and has worked to build the organization and its programs since its start in 2019.  Geoff works closely with park leadership to envision the future of state parks, and develops partnerships across all sectors that work to create equitable, climate resilient spaces where all feel welcome.
  
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.

Geoff earned an MBA from the University of Virginia and BA from the College of William and Mary.

Michelle oversees Parks California’s communications strategy and messaging, helping tell the important stories rooted in the country’s premier parks system. With a proven track record revitalizing teams, driving marketing and branding initiatives, and enhancing organizational reputations, she is a communications leader with a passion for building equitable, inclusive communities through storytelling and engagement.

Michelle began her career at The Indianapolis Star, where she learned to turn sports box scores into compelling narratives. Since then, she has led donor and organizational communications efforts for universities, including UC Irvine, Loyola Marymount and Oregon State, shaped marketing and donor engagement at Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation, and helped position the federal agency, AmeriCorps, as a pre-eminent national partner during the Biden-Harris administration as its deputy director for external affairs.

A first-generation college graduate, Michelle earned her bachelor’s in communications and journalism from Indiana State University. Based in sunny San Diego, she still hasn’t mastered reading tide charts but enjoys hiking Torrey Pines State Park—even if it sometimes lands her in the Pacific Ocean!

Kristi Bieber joined Parks California as the Senior Director of Development in March 2025. In this role, she helps lead the strategic fundraising efforts of Parks California to ensure the financial sustainability of Parks California programs. A Los Angeles native, she brings more than two decades of development leadership to the role, including work with UCLA, UC Riverside, Otis College of Art and Design, and Stanford University. In addition, she has designed and taught courses on fundraising at UCLA Extension and Marymount California University, where she served concurrently as dean of development. Prior to joining the Parks California team, Kristi raised funding for districtwide co-curricular activities and administered summer enrichment programs for the Redondo Beach Educational Foundation, the nonprofit partner of the Redondo Beach Unified School District.

Kristi earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre from UCLA, a master’s degree in theater and arts education from San Jose State, an MBA from Colorado State, and is currently working on her dissertation – which explores educational opportunities in nonprofit management for midcareer adults – to complete an EdD through Purdue University Global.

Sophia Blas joined Parks California’s Operations & Finance team as the Accounting Intern in September, 2024. In her role, she works with the Finance Manager to process monthly accounting transactions and processes. Sophia is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a focus on Accounting at San Diego State University. As she enters her final year of college, Sophia is excited to learn more about the nonprofit sector and how Parks California operates. Growing up near the coast in Orange County, along with her decade-long involvement in Girl Scouts, fostered her interest for the outdoors and park accessibility. Outside of work and school, she enjoys reading, going to the beach, and attending Anaheim Ducks and Angels games.

Durresha Davis joined the Operations & Finance team as the Grants & Contracts Manager in August 2022. In her role, she is responsible for collaborating across Parks California ensuring smooth and timely processing, reporting, allocating, and spending against the grant and contract budgets and complying with the grant and contract requirements and applicable laws.

Durresha’s previous role as the Assistant Budget Chief at the California Department of Parks and Recreation allowed for a seamless transition to Parks California due to her previous experience with managing large amounts of funding from various sources, ensuring proper use of funding and providing financial guidance across the Department. Although Durresha’s previous work experience is heavily weighted in the field of finance, with a bachelor’s degree in public relations, she prides herself in being an effective communicator and enjoys participating in various opportunities where she is able to utilize those skills.

Nina graduated from NY State University, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is Quickbooks certified and is currently pursuing a CFC (Certified Financial Counselor). She has worked in accounting for several years in different industries from Fashion and TV Production, Artists and Photographers to SaaS, Startups, and Nonprofits.

A NY transplant to San Diego, she is originally from Ecuador, where early on she learned to appreciate the beauty and majesty of nature and realized any activity outdoors was her happy place. So when she is not working, playing with her dogs, volunteering or crafting wood, you will probably find her in a park.

As she retired from marathon running and triathlons guiding Achilles International athletes, she now enjoys the outdoors when she goes hiking, running on sand, practicing yoga or meditation on the beach, surfing, playing basketball or tap dancing in Balboa Park. She thinks parks are the perfect location for almost any activity in life.

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.

Elizabeth Kubey joined Parks California in March 2024 and brings joy and creativity to her role as Parks California’s Associate Communications Manager. She manages all of the organization’s storytelling channels and platforms. In her role, Elizabeth collaborates across the team and works externally with Parks California’s partners to communicate the vision and impact of our collaborative work.

Elizabeth has over seven years of experience in communications outreach, engagement, digital marketing, education, and event planning. She worked six years at the California Native Plant Society (CNPS), where she helped build relationships with audiences across California including 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.

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.”

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.

In her current role as Associate Program Manager, Monica organizes and supports a variety of community engagement activities to ensure meaningful and inclusive participation in planning climate resilient parks in the Santa Cruz District including Big Basin Redwoods and Seacliff State Beach. Prior to joining the team, Monica served students and families in education by offering college readiness opportunities to underserved communities. She looks forward to bringing her experience with youth to make exciting opportunities that inspire and educate the community about our environment, conservation efforts, and safe-exploration while in the great outdoors.

Monica likes being a part of a creative process both in and out of the office. She enjoys watercolor painting, landscape photography, working on her next DIY project, and planning her next camping adventure by the water.

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.

Becky Rittenburg leads the Climate and Stewardship programs at Parks California, where she works closely with California State Parks to design initiatives that enhance climate resilience and foster partnerships for landscape-scale stewardship. She joined the organization in 2021. With nearly a decade of experience at the intersection of resource management and education, Becky has focused on groundwater sustainability planning for basin-scale conservation, urban water conservation program management in California, and the development of watershed education programs in northern Idaho and southern California.

She holds a Ph.D. in Watershed Science and Management from the University of Idaho and a B.A. in Environmental Science from Colorado College. Becky’s diverse background combines technical expertise with a commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.

Prior to joining Parks California, Myrian led REI’s Next Gen Marketing program where she oversaw national partnerships, experiential marketing, and content collaborations. Prior to joining REI Co-op, she worked at KPBS, San Diego’s local PBS and NPR (National Public Radio) 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 2013-2019, she served as commissioner for California State Park and Recreation; later, serving as the Commission’s first Latina Chair. When she is not working, Myrian enjoys traveling the world with her two children and husband, discovering new eateries, and indulging in a new read or podcast.

Sarah joined Parks California in October 2023. 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 role, Sarah focuses on bringing art into local parks through careful planning and community engagement. She manages multiple grant tracks, engages diverse stakeholders to ensure equity and inclusivity in program planning, grant selection, and implementation.

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.

Veronica joined Parks California in February 2022, where she supports community engagement at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area. In this role, she initiated the fishing program and plays a key role in organizing popular events such as Kite by The Bay, StoryWalks, and Growing Together Day. With a background in Early Childhood and Outdoor Education, Veronica has spent several years working in San Francisco, CA, where she focuses on providing underserved communities with access to outdoor experiences.

Through her work with families, youth, volunteers, and community partners, she has come to recognize the importance of fostering strong community connections. In her free time, Veronica enjoys car camping across California with her husband and son. She is passionate about educating others on Leave No Trace principles and advocates for environmental sustainability. 

Meredith has over fifteen years of experience in finance and accounting. Meredith joined Parks California in 2019 and helped build out the infrastructure for financial systems and continues to expand them as the organization grows. As Finance Manager, Meredith is responsible for the financial stability of the organization and ensures that all transactions are well-documented for the yearly audit. Her work helps assure accountability to donors and State Parks.

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.

Amanda Zhu joined Parks California as Grant Programs Coordinator in June 2024. Their role consists of administering and managing Parks California’s grant programs. During the 2023-2024 school year, they functioned as Parks California’s Programs and Grants intern, where they assisted the Programs team in grant program implementation and partnership research efforts. Previously, their experiences included conducting influence measurement research for the World Wildlife Fund, academically advising students of UCI’s Campuswide Honors Collegium, developing digital marketing campaigns at UCI’s School of Biological Sciences, and designing educational media for Intersectional Environmentalist. Their skillset integrates a versatile mix of research, marketing, project management, and strategy, with social justice and environmental advocacy.

Amanda is a recent graduate from the University of California, Irvine with a B.A. in business administration, obtaining their Environmental Changemakers Certificate, engaging in honors-level Sustainable Societies studies, and researching Western perceptions of edible insects and bug agriculture. In their free time, they like to volunteer at habitat restoration sites, identify species, play video games, and make art.

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.

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.

José G. González is the Founder and Director Emeritus of Latino Outdoors. He is an experienced educator as a K-12 public education teacher, environmental education advisor, outdoor education instructor and coordinator, and university adjunct faculty. As a Partner in the Avarna Group and through his own consulting, his work focuses on Equity & Inclusion frameworks and practices in the environmental, outdoor, and conservation fields. Jose was recently appointed by Governor Newsom to California State Parks’ Boating and Waterways Commission. He is also an illustrator and science communicator.

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.

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.

Amy Dominguez-Arms advises foundations and funder collaboratives in strategic planning, program design, field and nonprofit capacity building, and grantmaking – with experience across a range of issues. Amy also is the Executive Director of the Roger I. and Ruth B. MacFarlane Foundation. Previously, Amy served as Vice President for Programs and Program Director at The James Irvine Foundation and earlier served as Vice President of Children Now, a nonprofit children’s research and advocacy organization.

Amy is the Board Chair of the Outdoor Foundation, which funds Thrive Outside communities across the U.S., leveraging the collective impact model to create equitable access to the outdoors. Amy recently completed her term as Board Vice Chair of NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School), a global wilderness school, which teaches wilderness skills and leadership that serve people and the environment.  She recently joined the newly-formed National Leadership Council of the Foundation for America’s Public Lands, the official charitable partner of the Bureau of Land Management. 

Helen Hernandez is the CEO of the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) and Executive Producer of the Imagen Awards. Under her leadership, the Imagen Awards have become one of the most prestigious Latino awards in the entertainment industry. She began her career in the entertainment industry as an executive at Tandem/TAT Communications which later became Embassy Communications and then Columbia Pictures Television, working under the leadership of television icon, Norman Lear. Prior to that, she was an organizer for the AFL-CIO, where she worked to improve conditions for laborers and inform them of their rights. In 2009, Helen assumed responsibility for NATJA, which represents travel media and destination marketing organizations.

She serves as a Los Angeles County Arts Commissioner, PBS SoCal Board of Directors, the Parks Channel Board of Advisors, and formerly on the Board of Trustees for the National Parks Conservation Association and national PBS.

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.

Dr. Lockhart formerly served as Chair of the Board of NatureBridge and formerly served on the Board of Directors of REI. As a member of the National Park Service Second Century Commission, he advocated for environmental and science education within the national parks. He is an Eagle Scout, a Rhodes Scholar, and an avid mountain climber.

Adam Verdin is a dedicated community leader, small business owner, professional pilot, and attorney from San Luis Obispo County. He grew up working in his family’s Mexican restaurant in Oceano, CA, a legacy that he and his sister proudly continue as multigenerational owners. The restaurant is just three blocks away from the Oceano Airport, where Adam’s passion for aviation took flight. He became a flight instructor at the age of 19 and went on to work as a charter and corporate pilot.

Along the way, Adam also earned his law degree and became a licensed attorney. Adam actively contributes to his community by serving on several boards, including the San Luis Obispo County Airport Land Use Commission, Jack’s Helping Hand, 5 Cities Homeless Coalition, and the South County Chambers of Commerce. His diverse expertise and passion for civic engagement have now led him to the Parks California Board of Directors, where he will continue to advocate for the well-being and development of his local and extended communities.

Michele Perrault was appointed Chief Deputy Director of Policy at the California Department of Finance by Governor Newsom in 2024. Previously, she served as Deputy Director of Legislation. Prior to that, Michele was Executive Director of Communications at the Roseville City School District from 2021 to 2022, and was Director of the Administrative Services Division at the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing from 2015 to 2021. Michele was Advocacy and Communications Director at the California State University Chancellor’s Office from 2005 to 2016. Michele earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from California State University, Sacramento.

An experienced parks professional with expertise in park operations, outdoor education, equity and access, and diversity and inclusion in hiring and retention, Armando is an environmental scientist by training. Since 2015, he has been executive director of the Sierra Nevada Research Institute at the University of California, Merced, where he was also director of development from 2008 to 2014. He has also served as a member of the California Water Commission since 2014.

Teresa Alvarado is Principal of Morado Consulting specializing in supporting leaders, across sectors, to create positive economic, environmental and social impact. She also serves as a Gubernatorial appointee and chair of the California Water Commission.

Prior, Belinda served as the Executive Officer of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC). She was also the Executive Officer of three joint powers entities: the Watershed Conservation Authority, the San Gabriel River Discovery Center Authority and the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority. She retired from these positions in May of 2011 after 40 years as a California State employee. A native of Southern California, Belinda was born and raised in East Los Angeles, California. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Pitzer College.

Tony Lillios is an executive coach and entrepreneur. He has founded five businesses, most notably Speck Products, and facilitates growth in the organizations he now serves. Tony is an athlete, adventurer, and an outdoorsman. He is the subject of the documentary, Crossing Bhutan, that explores the country’s policy of Gross National Happiness (GNH).

Michael Campbell is a Managing Director in investment banking at TD Securities and the founder of the FutureHealth initiative, which focuses on advising companies at the intersection of life sciences, technology and consumer sectors.

As a lifelong California resident, he has a deep-rooted connection to nature. His family’s involvement in Humboldt County’s timber industry fostered a strong appreciation for California’s unique ecosystems and the importance of sustainability. He is an avid user of California’s state parks and is committed to preserving natural beauty for future generations.

Michael and his family reside in Marin County, where they enjoy many outdoor activities, particularly hiking and mountain biking. Michael is a board member of the Kirkwood Ski Education Foundation and spends much of winter in the Tahoe region supporting his family’s love of ski racing. 

She serves as a Los Angeles County Arts Commissioner, PBS SoCal Board of Directors, the Parks Channel Board of Advisors, and formerly on the Board of Trustees for the National Parks Conservation Association and national PBS.

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.

Ms. Farrell has worked for all three organizations within the Golden Gate National Parks—the Conservancy, National Park Service, and Presidio Trust–over the past two decades. She oversees the planning and implementation of a number of cross-boundary community stewardship, science, and landscape-level restoration programs and projects. Sharon was a founding board member of Parks 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.

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 Convergence Media Productions, Doug also develops and oversees many other media projects in support of parks and open space agencies and nonprofit organizations.

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.

Director of Strategy at the Kennebunkport Climate Initiative, an organization focused on mobilizing youth around climate change. 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.

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.

The Yurok Interpretation Project elevates Indigenous voices and worldviews in public lands and recreation areas of California State Parks’ North Coast Redwoods District. Historically, Native peoples have been driven from and misrepresented in the landscape, resources and dialogues in State Parks. This opportunity will develop positions where young Yurok Tribal Members can begin their careers in interpretation, education, and recreation fields.

This project will provide participants with relevant work experience, specialized training regarding cultural sensitivity, and expert guidance by State and Tribal interpreters in creating and implementing meaningful public programs. The completion of the project will have created successful ambassadors of cultural knowledge, stewardship and advocates of Yurok natural and cultural resources, and Yurok traditional landscapes. Both the Tribe and State Park will use the resources of this opportunity to assist in the high demand of cultural programming to be offered in the Parks.

The Santa Monica Mountains Fund (SAMO Fund)’s State Park Interpretation and Education Mentorship Program is a nine-month planning and development effort to create a program that will prepare youth and underserved young adults for careers at California State Parks and in public lands management.
SAMO Fund will design a program that provides job training skills, mentorship, work experience, and career development and prepares participants for park stewardship and operations careers with and in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

The program will build on SAMO Fund’s existing workforce development programs and its success as a career pathway employer, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS). The program will help to ensure that outdoor spaces are accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for all individuals.

The Pathways to CA State Parks and the Parkway (P3) Planning Project will focus on the development of a pilot program model that provides multiple experiences for future P3 program interns, with a significant focus on understanding career pathways in Parks and Recreation. The San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust (Trust), in partnership with Millerton Lake State Recreation Area (MLSRA), will collaborate on program model development, engaging the local community to collect input on program design.

The Trust will utilize existing and develop new relationships with local colleges and universities to create a program recruitment pathway for P3 program interns and will gather input from current college-aged youth studying natural resource and recreation-related fields on their experiences and interests in terms of the P3 program design and methods for encouraging youth to pursue careers.

Due to structural racism and classism, people in prison are 79% BIPOC and nearly 100% are poor, representing diverse communities that often lack access to CA State Parks (CSP) and careers within them. Insight Garden Program (IGP)’s Career Pathways for People in Reentry (CPPR) Project will ensure that one of the most underserved, marginalized, disenfranchised, and diverse populations–people who were formerly incarcerated–have access to park career training.

CPPR will strengthen partnerships by gathering CSP Districts’ understanding of the need, opportunities, and barriers to career pathways for people in reentry and how CSP, IGP, and other community partners can build and strengthen these pathways.

Ecological Workforce Initiative (EWI) and the North Coast Redwoods District (NCRD) are creating an innovative partnership to train new workers and those transitioning from civil construction to create a pipeline into State Parks for laborers and equipment operators. EWI’s Ecological Worker Awareness and Compliance (EWAC) training teaches the ecological context and knowledge workers need to work effectively in sensitive habitats, including a background in ecological concepts and ecosystem components, an overview of environmental laws, federal and state resource agencies, and an appreciation for the workers’ role in resource protection.

NCRD and EWI will build a collaborative partnership with local tribes and community organizations to create a powerful plan for training and supporting workers to build and advance their careers with State Parks and other local environmental restoration employers engaged in stewardship projects within the parks.

Audubon Canyon Ranch’s (ACR) Access to Opportunity is a new conservation and stewardship apprentice program designed to serve the needs of historically underrepresented communities seeking careers in conservation and the outdoors. This program is a proactive effort to remove barriers and create conditions leading to jobs and careers in CA State Parks. During our planning process, we will learn from partners and communities about programming, curricula, and experience needs.

Our team includes ACR’s stewardship, science, and leadership staff, State Park partners in the Bay Area District, and our workforce development and community-led program partners. The planning project, and the apprentice program, are centered in our beautiful West Marin preserves on Tomales Bay and Bolinas Lagoon. The project seeks to collaboratively build resiliency in the conservation workforce to create a new generation of conservation leaders receiving thriving wages in jobs they love.

This project is dedicated to empowering the underserved young adults of the greater Sacramento area, fostering their readiness for fulfilling careers in parks management. This two-year outdoor education program provides 90 Sacramento Regional Conservation Corpsmembers (SRCC) with a 40 hour multi-week course led by experienced instructors from Effie Yeaw Nature Center (EYNC) and conducted in parks along the American River from Lake Folsom to the confluence with the Sacramento River.

Leveraging the widely-recognized UC California Naturalist certification credential, we provide an introduction to California’s ecosystems and natural history, the management of natural and cultural resources, and environmental interpretation and education. By co-designing the core curriculum to emphasize career-oriented knowledge, skills, and experiences, we aspire to nurture a new generation of environmental leaders who are equipped to address the unique challenges facing our parks and natural areas. This project will highlight skills in park interpretation/planning and natural resource management.

The Lake Tahoe Ambassador Program trains and places students in summer jobs in the Tahoe Basin. To promote equity, the program hires low-income youth, who are supported with paid opportunities and pathways for further education and work experience. Participants lead interpretative talks, hand out educational stewardship materials, collect visitor and environmental site condition data, model stewardship through activities like picking up litter, and work working closely with host sites to fill their staffing capacities. Participants are placed in groups at host sites and partnered with a college-level site lead and site supervisor. Each participant also creates a term-long research project that will be presented at a local high school to inspire change after the completion of the program. By empowering local youth to become stewards of their own backyard ecosystems, this program creates a first step in educating the next generation of climate scientists and conservation workforce.

Sierra Institute’s P-CREW youth corps program is designed to serve as a pathway to the profession for young adults, providing them with the technical and social skills needed to advance their educational and career pursuits. P-CREW empowers future leaders and resource stewards through the “E’s “of it all (Exposure, Exploration, Education, Experience, and Employment), a process that embraces comfort zone expansion through an intensive five-week program completing an array of stewardship projects. Participants receive training in Leave No Trace, tool use and maintenance, ecology, basic first aid, teamwork, and more.

Through this project, the partnership between California State Parks and Sierra Institute will engage P-CREW on an array of projects with direct ecosystem and community benefits. It will also allow both entities to leverage resources to identify, develop, and deploy solutions to overcome the multifaceted barriers to accessing careers within State Parks and other public land management entities.

Greater Valley Conservation Corps (GVCC) is expanding its partnership with California State Parks, Diablo Range District by forming GVCC youth corpsmember crews interested in natural resources and underrepresented in state parks careers. Corpsmembers will participate in GVCC workforce development programming while completing work-based learning opportunities with the Diablo Range District facilities and natural resources staff. Corpsmembers will gain familiarity with state parks and the skills and experience required to pursue a career in State Parks and public land stewardship. Projects include tree planting, irrigation system installation/maintenance, invasive species identification/elimination, repair and expansion of symbolic rope and post fencing at Brannan Island State Recreation Area, vegetation trimming/clearing, and protecting the Corral Hollow Creek riparian habitat.

LA Conservation Corps’ internship program at LA State Historic Park (LASHP) supports California State Parks’ need to replenish and diversify its workforce and provides work experience and on-the-job training for jobs that pay family-sustaining wages and offer career ladders. The internship program will provide paid work experience and on-the-job training for Corpsmembers and interns at LA State Historic Park and Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. Corpsmembers will work directly with park staff to complete work projects including but not limited to landscaping, building maintenance, irrigation systems, and tree planting. Park staff will provide biweekly assessments with feedback on work performance. Program completers get help from transition specialists to apply for jobs and plan their careers, creating pipelines to jobs that they are trained for and will excel in.

Hispanic Access’ MANO Project and East Bay Regional Park District will create pathways for young Latinos to pursue careers in public lands by placing three talented young Latino professionals in substantive, paid six-month internships with the East Bay Regional Park District in 2025.

East Bay Regional Park District manages and operates three California State Parks: McLaughlin East Shore State Park, Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach, and Lake Del Valle State Recreation Area. Interns will spend most of their time devoted to on-the-ground work at, and/or program planning for, and/or data analysis for these three state parks. Hispanic Access Foundation, a national Latino-serving nonprofit organization, will carefully curate these internships — recruiting these professionals, providing them with career guidance, managing their insurance, housing stipends, wages and transportation funds, and facilitating membership in a broader national cohort and post-internship alumni network of MANO conservation interns.

The Natural Resource Summer Internship Program is in partnership with California State Parks’ Orange Coast District. This program will provide aspiring graduate and undergraduate students underrepresented in the sciences an opportunity to gain hands-on experiences in natural resource management at Crystal Cove State Park. The internship program aims to create new pathways for nontraditional students passionate about natural resources to gain hands-on and practical experience, equipping them for future careers within State Parks. Tailored training sessions focus on developing interns’ technical skills, professional demeanor, and confidence for future careers. The program tackles pressing natural resource challenges in the Orange Coast District. Through hands-on projects like habitat restoration and environmental monitoring, we address issues like habitat degradation and biodiversity loss.

Civicorps’ technical training program consists of a rotating crew of Corpsmembers in partnership projects with California State Parks in the Diablo Range District. Each training is tailored by State Parks staff to focus on key skills in carpentry, painting, restoration, plumbing, and masonry, along with trail maintenance and fence construction. Corpsmembers will be exposed to a variety of State Park environments and career pathways, gain valuable skills for both generalist and specialized work, and receive enrichment opportunities such as resource awareness training. The internship will have customizable opportunities to suit interest areas, such as historic buildings, forestry, and restoration. Together, these opportunities will provide robust exposure and create a bridge for Corpsmembers to career pathways at our State Parks.

Amah Mutsun Land Trust (AMLT) is an Indigenous-led nonprofit that combines Indigenous stewardship, conservation and restoration, and research and education to steward the lands and waters within the ancestral territories of Indigenous Mutsun and Awaswas peoples. AMLT was formed in 2014 by the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band (AMTB), a non-federally recognized Tribe with over 600 members who are the Indigenous descendants of the people who lived for over 14,000 years along California’s Central Coast and survived the Santa Cruz and San Juan Bautista missions.

The AMLT Native Stewardship Corps is a work training and cultural relearning program designed specifically for high-school and college-aged Tribal members. This program provides meaningful work and livelihood and is designed to develop the next generation of Amah Mutsun leaders and stewards of Mother Earth, mixing professional and career development with cultural education and support. The Corps supports resource conservation projects, including a long-term fuel reduction and coastal prairie restoration within Año Nuevo State Park.

Angela Leung is Parks California’s Vice President of Communications & Development, where she leverages her extensive experience across marketing, communications, public affairs, development and stakeholder engagement. She most recently served as Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, where she led the team responsible for communications, marketing, support for fundraising, and commemorating major park advancements — such as the opening of the Presidio Tunnel Tops. In her role, Angela oversaw efforts to enhance the Parks Conservancy’s visibility and brand reputation, reaching a wide variety of audiences and driving donor support for the organization through strategic communications.

Angela also supports San Francisco City parks. Appointed by Supervisor Catherine Stefani in 2021, Angela represents District 2 on the Park, Recreation, Open Space Advisory Committee, where she serves as a liaison between San Francisco’s Parks & Recreation Commission and residents. Angela brings a breadth of nonprofit, global and corporate experience from previous roles at Cox Enterprises, Gap Inc., The Asia Foundation, Microsoft and Panna Strategies.