Board Members Sought!
The Stewards’ Board of Directors plays a key role working with the Executive Director to address our strategic direction and financial health, make policy and operational decisions, as well as help identify resources needed to carry out our mission. In addition to sharing in the inspiration of being part of an organization responsible for some of the most magnificent natural resources in California from the forest to the sea, Stewards seeks board members who bring experience and motivation from any of a broad range of domains, including community outreach/engagement, park access and public education programs, as well as park operations, finance and marketing.
At this time of healing and hope, Stewards is moving forward to address not only fire recovery and preservation of our natural surroundings, but a new vision for the experiences of our visitors and community. ‘Impact’ has taken on new meaning for us this year, as we address recovery from impacts of fire damage and park closures, in order to realize the impacts we seek in delivering to the communities we serve. As we proceed at this critical juncture in the history of our country and of our public lands, Stewards is committed to ensuring that equity, diversity and racial justice are integral to the realization of our vision to serve as ‘the link between people and their parks.’ Our work also must be grounded in the recognition that many of our parks came into existence by stripping indigenous people of their connections to the land. We are excited about bringing on board members who will apply creative energy to help develop new models for carrying out our responsibilities with this priority as core.
Board members commit to attending monthly board meetings and at least one monthly committee meeting. If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, you are encouraged to contact Board President Hollis Bewley at [email protected]. Before deciding to apply, candidates are welcome to attend a monthly board meeting, which usually takes place on the 4th Thursday of the month at 4:00 pm.
Additional ways to support Stewards’ important work
Stewards also welcomes participation in our progress
- as a member of our advisory board, with specific expertise to share,
- as a member of one of our working committees, and/or
- as a volunteer through interpretation, public stewardship, educational programming, community science and connecting visitors to their parks.
Board Members
DAVID BERMAN
David currently works for Sonoma Water as an educator. He lives in the Dutchbill Creek watershed outside of Occidental. He has been a science educator and wilderness guide for over 38 years. He has been involved with salmonid restoration and outdoor education for 33 years in Western Sonoma County. David spent 27 years teaching wilderness first aid, CPR, and first aid for the American Red Cross. David co-teaches the California Naturalist Certification Program for the UC Cooperative Extension. David worked at Stewards as the program director from 2012 to 2015. David loves nature photography and wandering in the outdoors.
Committees: Programs Committee
Residence: Occidental
HOLLIS BEWLEY
Hollis was elected to the board in 2010. She has been the Stewards’ Tidepool Coordinator since 2008, is an avid birder who has been monitoring Sonoma Coast birdlife for many years and is now serving as coordinator of Stewards’ Seabird & Pinniped Monitoring activities as well. Hollis’s love and knowledge of the coastal ecosystem has made her a huge asset to the environmental education programs that Stewards supports. She has an extensive work background in the field of hospital administration.
Committees: Executive Committee (President); Programs Committee; Finance Committee
Volunteer work for Stewards: Coordinator for Tidepool, Seabird Monitoring & Pinniped Monitoring programs; Beach Watch; Special Events
Residence: Stinson Beach
TONY COHEN
Tony Cohen is a retired lawyer whose practice focused on protecting and advancing the sovereign powers of Native American Tribes. One of the main skills that practice involved is keeping in mind the different interests and perspectives of interacting persons and groups and using attentive communications methods to ensure that what is said always takes into consideration the perspective of the listener. That skill will be helpful in assisting Stewards in communicating with others, including State Parks, environmental organizations, landowners, and state, county, federal, and Tribal governments. As his educational focus before practicing law was anthropology, he also brings useful perspectives to the Board about tribal cultural resources and their potential presence in the areas worked in by Stewards, potentially helping Steward’s positive interaction with local Tribes and tribal organizations.
Committees: Program Committee
Volunteer work for Stewards: Seal Watch, Whale Watch, Pinniped Monitoring, Seabird Monitoring, Special Events
Residence: Sebastopol
GREGORY FEARON
Gregory was elected to the Board in 2010. As a past member of Coastwalk California and Sonoma Coast Surfriders, he brings coastal natural resource knowledge and networking opportunities to the board. Gregory has extensive fiscal management experience, lives in Santa Rosa, and supports the efforts of others to participate in civic public policy development.
Committees: Executive Committee (Vice President/Treasurer), Finance, Special Events/Fund Development
Volunteer work for Stewards: Special Events
Residence: Santa Rosa
CATHY JOHNSON
Cathy joined the Stewards team in 2021. Cathy is a professional scientist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For over 20 years she has conducted numerous research and investigation projects on the fate and transport of pesticides and their effects on wildlife. As a contaminant’s specialist, she has worked on many contaminants and oil spills and several fires. After having worked these types of disasters and restoring the aftermath, she has a deep appreciation for land stewardship. She is on national committees that deal with climate change, adaptation, and mitigation for wildlife species especially butterflies.
Cathy loves being outside and playing in nature – sea to summit and everywhere in between. She is also a RYT-500 yoga teacher and enjoys sharing the practice by leading hiking and yoga events, yoga at the park, and retreats. She has her UC Naturalist and UC Climate Stewards certifications.
Although Cathy resides in Auburn, she spends a great deal of time at the Sonoma Coast.
Committees:Programs Committee
Volunteer work for Stewards: Special Events
Residence: Auburn
DEVIN MCCONNELL
Devin McConnell is a lifelong Sonoma Countian, save for a brief window while attending San José State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Advertising in 2010. He works as the Sustainability and Climate Initiatives Manager for Sonoma County Tourism (SCT), the official Destination Stewardship Organization for Sonoma County, California. In his position at SCT, Devin has been a key player in the development of the Sonoma County Leave No Trace Seven Principles and its related programming, the Rewards For Rubbish litter reduction program, and the organization’s various volunteer initiatives. Devin represents Sonoma County Tourism as a founding member of Cleaner California Coast, a three-county alliance dedicated to reducing negative impacts from visitation to Northern California’s coastline. He also sits on the California Travel Association’s Sustainability and Stewardship Committee and represents SCT as part of the Russian River Confluence. Devin participated in the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP) in Seville, Spain in 2022, attaining a GSTC Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism.
Committees: Programs, Special Events/Fund Development
Residence: Santa Rosa
KATHI MOORE
Kathi was elected to the Board in August 2018. She recently retired after 33 years working with the US Environmental Protection Agency and has a working knowledge of Federal and State environmental issues impacting our air, water and land. Most of her work at EPA was managing environmental restoration projects under the Superfund Program throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii and Navajo Nation. Kathi is currently a volunteer at the Visitor’s Center and enjoys hiking the trails of Armstrong and Austin Creek. She is excited about using her skills to assist Stewards to promote, restore and protect the parks of the Sonoma Coast and Redwoods.
Committees: Executive Committee (Secretary), Merchandising
Volunteer work for Stewards: Visitor’s Center, Special Events
Residence: Santa Rosa
LAURIE PROTHRO
After having lived in the hills above the Russian River for nearly four decades, with Armstrong Redwoods her backyard, Laurie joined the Stewards board in the summer of 2022. A former journalist, editor, and recently-retired children’s librarian, she brings a strong sense of community and a broad network of connections to the organization. She has previously served on two other local non-profit boards, including River to Coast Children’s Services, and is passionate about environmental education and preservation at a grassroots level.
Committees: Programs Committee
Volunteer work for Stewards: Tidepool Docent, Pond Farm Working Group
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Advisory Board members bring special professional expertise to help Stewards across the breadth of programs, operations and services for which we are responsible.
Cindy Brennan
Advisory Board role: Human Resources Liaison
Overall background/experience: Over 20 years of diverse Human Resources Executive Level experience. Both public and private employers.
Background/skills/experience related to Advisory Board role: Hiring, organizational development, training, technology & automation, staff development, recruitment, benefits and employment law.
Motivation for serving: There is just something about being outside, hiking in our parks that always makes me want to give back. It is truly “my happy place!”
Committees: Executive Director Succession Planning Committee
Additional volunteer work for Stewards: Armstrong Redwoods Visitor Center
Residence: Santa Rosa
Christopher Szecsey
Advisory Board role: Christopher provides Stewards with guidance and support in nonprofit organizational and programmatic capacity strengthening.
Overall background/experience: Christopher is a consultant, trainer, facilitator, and coach.
He has worked extensively internationally and in the USA, primarily with the nonprofit and public sectors. His professional experience includes:
- 26 years as a consultant, both in the USA, and internationally, with consulting assignments in 50 countries.
- Decades of experience with international nonprofits, including as the Country Director for Save the Children/USA, in Indonesia and the Republic of Kiribati; Project Coordinator with UNDP in Nepal; as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador for 3 years; and as a university student in India and in Yucatan, Mexico.
- BA in Anthropology and Political Philosophy from the University of the Pacific
Pivotal life experiences: Living/studying in India & learning about poverty and disparities; living with Native Americans in the Southwest and learning about racism and disparities in the USA; and working with Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers Union for social and economic justice.
Background/skills/experience related to Advisory Board role: During the last 20 years, Christopher has served on four nonprofit boards as a member and as Chair, grounding him well on the important role of nonprofit board governance.
Motivation for serving: Christopher believes the nonprofit sector is critical to supporting our communities and protecting our natural resources. He is pleased to do so and encourages others to do so as well.
Additional volunteer work for Stewards: As needed, and available, for example, helping with Family Day
Residence: Occidental
Dale Wannen
Dale was elected to the Board in October 2017 and transitioned to the Advisory Board in 2022. His background is in sustainability and his passion is climate change and the role that corporations play in it. He is very supportive of Stewards’ preservation and education values. Dale runs Petaluma-based Sustainvest Asset Management, an investment firm focused on sustainable and responsible investing.
Committees: Special Events, Finance
Volunteer work for Stewards: Special Events, Seal Watch
Garth Grillo
Garth supports the financial management of Stewards by serving on the Finance committee
Background/skills/experience related to Advisory Board role: Garth started his career in public accounting, becoming a CPA in NY. He’s held various roles in financial services throughout his career.
Motivation for serving: Garth loves nature and the outdoors, getting out as much as possible. His passion for Stewards’ mission began after an amazing day of whale watching on the Sonoma Coast.
Michele Luna
Michele joined Stewards in 1994 when she was hired as the sole employee of the organization. She retired after a 27-year career with the organization at the end of 2021. She was responsible for raising and administering millions of dollars in funding that supported organizational growth and programming for Stewards over the years. She worked with the board of directors to establish one of the first partnership agreements with a non-profit and California State Parks in 2012, whereby Stewards now co-manages both Armstrong Redwoods SNR and Austin Creek SRA. The revitalization of Pond Farm Pottery has been another rewarding project that Michele oversaw during her tenure. In 2022 and 2023, she volunteered as producer of the documentary, Marguerite, from Bauhaus to Pond Farm. She joined the Advisory Board of Stewards early in 2023 and is focusing most of her time on Pond Farm projects, but she is also interested in being helpful to Stewards in whatever way is positively beneficial. She has been a resident of Cazadero for 45 years and she and her husband enjoy spending time with their family and six grandchildren and traveling.