Courtney Baltiyskyy, Director of Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships, YMCA Community Services
Courtney Baltiyskyy MPA, is the Director of Advocacy and Strategic Partnership with the YMCA of San Diego’s Community Support Services. Working with teams across San Diego County, the Y’s social services work relentlessly with our community until all can thrive in each stage of life. Courtney has built a career path on leveraging the intersection between public, private, and nonprofit agencies for community benefit through a collaborative spirit, innovative thinking, and evidence-based decision making. Prior to her current role, Courtney worked in nonprofit management for over ten years, supporting working families through youth development programming. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Whittier College, and a Master’s in Public Administration from San Diego State University.
Darbi Berry, Climate Adaptation Specialist, San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative
Darbi serves as the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative's Climate Adaptation Specialist, and assists in managing the adaptation programming, working groups and supporting other Collaborative programs. Darbi received her B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of South Florida in 2015. Afterward, she served as a hydrologist for the United States Geological Survey, specializing in agricultural water-use, and water resources. Darbi is skilled in utilizing remote sensing, GIS, drone imagery, geomorphic and data mapping technologies to produce solutions. Darbi completed her Masters of Science in Environmental and Ocean Sciences from USD. She conducted her thesis research in the Tijuana River Estuarine Research Reserve and focuses on integrating applicable science and solutions to wetland restoration and management through a geomorphologic lens. She is interested in integrating new geospatial science techniques to develop more efficient and viable resource management practices. Darbi serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Environmental and Ocean Science Department at the University of San Diego where she teaches an undergraduate course, Natural Disasters. This course largely serves non-science majors at USD and helps provide students with a working knowledge of the world around them and introduce climate change issues at hand.
Bethany Bezak, Assistant Deputy Director, City of San Diego Transportation and Storm Water Department, City of San Diego
Bethany Bezak is the Assistant Deputy Director for the City of San Diego’s Transportation and Stormwater Division, where she is responsible for leading the City’s Engineering, Planning, and Operations and Maintenance teams for watershed protection and flood prevention.
Ms. Bezak has experience working in the public and private sectors and strives to implement practical and implementable solutions in the urban environment.
Ms. Bezak has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Lawrence Technological University (Southfield, MI) and Master of Science in Biological Systems Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg, VA). She is a registered Professional Engineer and a LEED AP.
Dr. Michel Boudrias, Associate Professor, Environmental and Ocean Sciences, University of San Diego
Dr. Michel Boudrias is an Associate Professor in Environmental and Ocean Sciences and he teaches courses environmental issues, sustainability, and coastal environmental science. His primary research area focuses on long-term ecological studies of shallow-water coastal habitats impacted by human activities both in San Diego and in developing countries. Beginning in 2010, he was the Principal Investigator on two prestigious National Science Foundation grants dedicated to climate change education for decision makers and key influential leaders. The project is dedicated to informing San Diego and the nation about the impacts of climate change and how we can work together to find creative solutions to maintain our quality of life for future generations. During his time at USD, he was Department Chair for 10 years leading the transformation of the department and positioning it as a key player in field-based and applied undergraduate research, integration of courses across multiple disciplines and sustainability efforts at the University of San Diego. He was named the Director of the Care for Our Common Home pathway in 2019 supporting the University of San Diego’s Envision 2024 Strategic Plan and the Urgent Challenges Collective.
Christiana DeBenedict, Director of Environment Leadership Initiatives, The Nonprofit Institute; Director, San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative
Christiana DeBenedict brings over twelve years of experience managing multi-stakeholder projects, coordinating project teams, and developing and implementing program and organizational strategy. Christiana brings this skill set to her role as Director of Environment Leadership Initiatives at The Nonprofit Institute where she manages The Equinox Project and the Outdoor Leaders Initiative. Christiana also serves as Interim Director for the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative, a network of cities and public agencies working to advance local climate solutions. These projects provide an opportunity for Christiana to bring her passion for advancing sustainability efforts through a collaborative approach that engages stakeholders and leverages technology and data to inform program and organizational planning efforts. Previously, as the US-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership’s (BPP) Director of Member Services and Operations, Christiana worked to establish the partnership's programs to strengthen BPP members in advancing philanthropy, leadership and collaboration in the border region. As a consultant with Ann Tartre Consulting, Christiana has provided support to advance corporate social responsibility planning efforts for business clients and program research and development initiatives for foundations. Christiana graduated with high honors from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Languages and Bilingual Issues and holds an International MBA from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain.
Dr. Kate Yanina DeConick, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Theology and Religious Studies
Kate DeConinck, Th.D., teaches in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at USD and is also the co-director of the Urgent Challenges Collective, an initiative on campus that supports research, teaching, and advocacy work centered around homelessness and food insecurity in San Diego. Her primary area of expertise is religion in the wake of mass tragedy and some of her past projects have investigated the role of religion in lower Manhattan after 9/11, religious responses to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, and more. In her current role with the Urgent Challenges Collective, DeConinck pays particular attention to the ways in which religious communities and nonprofits seek to address homelessness as a social and moral crisis as well as the lived experiences of those who are experiencing homelessness. She also approaches homelessness using an intersectional lens with attention to the impact of racial inequities, gender-based discrimination, and other factors that create complicated realities. DeConinck is trained as an ethnographer; thus, her work attends to both broader social trends as well as individual experiences.
Dr. Laura Deitrick, Associate Director, The Nonprofit Institute
Laura Deitrick, Ph.D. serves as the Associate Director of The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego. She has been a nonprofit executive director, board member, management consultant, and researcher on major nonprofit trends. Her research has led to important reports on nonprofit ethics, nonprofits and public education, nonprofit human resource practices, executive transition, the economics of San Diego’s nonprofit sector, nonprofit public confidence, and regional grantmaking. In her role, Laura oversees graduate programs as well as the work of the Caster Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic research. Under her direction, the Caster Center’s work is focused on research and evaluation and understanding the economic landscape of the nonprofit and philanthropic sector in relationship to the broader economy. Dr. Deitrick is a faculty member in USD’s Nonprofit Leadership and Management master’s program where she teaches nonprofit research methods, program design, and evaluation. She is the co-author of Cases in Nonprofit Management: A Hands on Approach to Problem Solving, recently released by Sage publications.
Estela de Llanos, Vice President of Clean Transportation, Sustainability and Chief Environmental Officer at SDG&E
Estela de Llanos serves as vice president of clean transportation, sustainability and chief environmental officer for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), one of Sempra Energy's regulated California utilities. In this role, de Llanos oversees clean transportation, advanced clean technologies, environmental compliance, and sustainability initiatives.
De Llanos joined Sempra Energy in 2007 as senior environmental counsel and has held a number of positions within the Sempra family of companies. Prior to joining Sempra Energy, she was an attorney in the Los Angeles office of Latham & Watkins LLP, where she specialized in land use and environmental matters in connection with major projects throughout California.
De Llanos currently serves on the board of the California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and the Francis Parker School Board of Trustees. She previously served on the Board of the Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice and the Del Mar Schools Education Foundation.
De Llanos holds a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a second major in international studies from Yale University.
Lesford Duncan, Senior Director of Programs, Outdoor OutreachLesford Duncan, MPH, is the Senior Director of Programs at Outdoor Outreach. Since 1999, Outdoor Outreach has helped over 14,000 youth explore their world, challenge themselves, and discover what they’re capable of, using the outdoors as a platform for youth development and resilience. Lesford has a career background in developing programs, partnerships, and policies that enhance the health and resilience of children and families. Prior to joining Outdoor Outreach, he worked in child welfare, cultural competency and behavioral health for the County of San Bernardino, California. There, he educated on the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), developed trauma-informed programs for building resilience in children and youth, and developed strategies for increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in County human services. Lesford received his B.S. in Biology from the University of Florida, and MPH in Health Policy and Leadership from Loma Linda University. He is also a Senior Fellow with the Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity, ultramarathon runner, and avid hiker and outdoorsman.
Pete Ellsworth, President, Legler Benbough Foundation
After growing up in Los Angeles, receiving a BA and a JD degree from Stanford and serving 2 years in the Army, Peter came to San Diego with his wife Doris.
Peter joined the law firm of Lindley, Lazar and Scales that evolved to become Ellsworth, Corbett, Seitman and Mc Leod of which Peter was President. He left the law practice to became President and CEO of Sharp Health Care. Over his ten year term in that role he expanded the system from two hospitals to a group of seven hospitals and two medical groups that cared for one third of San Diegans and was the largest private employer in the City. After leaving Sharp he refocused and reorganized a foundation established by a former law client and became President and CEO of that Foundation. He ran that Foundation in the new model for over 20 years until its final dissolution in July of 2020.
Over the years, Peter served on numerous local and National Boards and committees including the Board of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce and the National Committee on primary care of the National Institute of Health in Washington DC. He is presently serving on the Strategic Roundtable of the San Diego Economic Development Council and the Advisory Boards of The Center for Ethics in Science and Technology, the Accelerator program at the Engineering School at UCSD among others.
Peter and his wife of 65 years Doris have two children and six grandchildren.
Ricardo Flores, Executive Director, LISC San Diego
Ricardo Flores was named Executive Director of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) San Diego in April 2017. He joined the non-profit funding agency after serving for 12 years in leading roles with top San Diego elected officials.
In his role, Mr. Flores oversees LISC’s extensive network of investment-based collaborations that support San Diego’s underserved neighborhoods, including City Heights, Colina Park, and Greater Logan Heights.
LISC San Diego supports neighborhood revitalization efforts by assisting community groups through financing, grants, loans and equity capital, in addition to providing technical and management assistance, training opportunities, and additional resources.
A native of City Heights, Ricardo and his wife live in Kensington.
Prior to serving as Councilmember Emerald’s chief of staff, Flores was a senior aide to Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-CA), dating back to 2005. Flores has always taken an active role in his community. A long-time Meals on Wheels volunteer, he also served on numerous advisory boards and committees including the San Diego Chicano Democratic Association; San Diego Community College District; and United Way Plan to End Chronic Homelessness Resource.
After graduating from UCLA with a BA degree in Theatre, Film & Television, Flores spent several years in Los Angeles as a production assistant, most notably on the movie “Shrek 2” (2004). He also taught English in Barcelona, Spain.
Jonathan Glus, City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture
Jonathon joined the City of San Diego in November 2018. He leads and facilitates the strategic vision of the office. Prior to working in San Diego, he was the Director of Culture and Creative Economy for the City of Sacramento, CA where he led the city’s first cultural planning process in more than 20 years. Jonathon set in place an assessment of Sacramento’s film sector and an equity audit of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. Prior to Sacramento, he served as the first CEO of Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) for more than nine years. While at HAA, he worked closely with a board of more than 30, multiple committees, staff and partner agencies including VisitHouston, the Greater Houston Partnership, cultural districts and universities. Jonathon co-chaired the tourism committee of VisitHouston, partnered on multiple cultural tourism initiatives, and lead two studies on the creative economy in Houston region. He was also the chairman of the board of Texans for the Arts (TFA), a statewide arts advocacy organization. He was Executive Director of Arts & Culture for the City of Pasadena, CA where he led multiple cultural tourism initiatives and partnerships, represented that city with the Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition & Festival, and led the city’s cultural planning process, in partnership with the Pasadena Arts & Culture Commission. Jonathon began his career with city arts agencies in Evanston, IL, and his arts career with the International Sculpture Center, in Washington, DC where he wrote for SCULPTURE magazine and traveling exhibitions internationally. He studied urban economics and public policy at Indiana University, and art and architectural history at University of Illinois. He also studied at University of Kent, in Canterbury, England, where he focused on British urban policy.
Leticia Gomez Franco, Senior Arts and Culture Funding Manager, City of San Diego Commission for Arts and CultureLeticia Gomez Franco is an arts administrator, advocate and cultural producer. Her work is rooted in the intersection of culture, representation and social justice, all values that play a role in her current position as Senior Arts and Culture Funding Manager. Leticia leads the City’s arts and culture funding program, oversees the development and implementation of professional development, technical assistance and capacity building to incubate and build capacity of artists and arts and culture organizations and supports the departments diversity, equity and inclusion work. Gomez Franco previously served as Director of Programs for the New Americans Museum where she supported the grand reopening of the immigrant narratives based institution and led curatorial efforts. Her career in the arts began as Exhibitions Director for Casa Familiar’s The Front: A Collaborative of Arts, Culture, Design & Urbanism, where she oversaw development and program management for multiple art spaces as well as headed a rigorous and culturally conscious exhibition calendar with a commitment to local arts, diversity and community empowerment. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley in English and Chicana/o Studies and a Master of Arts in Curatorial Theory from San Diego State University's Liberal Arts & Sciences Program. She is also a two-time fellow of the National Association of Latino Arts & Culture Leadership Institute (NALAC). Leticia remains steadfast in her commitment to use her experience in arts administration, development, marketing and curating to increase access to the arts for all of San Diego's diverse communities.
Dr. Zachary Green, Professor of Practice and Director of Leadership Development, The Nonprofit Institute
Zachary is a professor of practice in Leadership Studies and the Director of Leadership Development at The Nonprofit Institute, University of San Diego. He is also lead faculty for the RISE Urban Leadership Fellows. A clinical psychologist by training, Zachary teaches courses on human development, organizational behavior, coaching, human development, dialogue, negotiations, mindfulness, and love. As a practitioner, Zachary’s clients include multinational corporations, government agencies, NGO’s, universities, religious institutions, and nonprofits entities. He has coached top leaders at the World Bank for the better part of two decades.
Zachary frequently offers training on integral theory and unconscious psychological dimensions of leadership. He also has nearly three decades of experience working issues related to human relations, including and beyond diversity, equity and inclusion. He was a senior associate for the National Multicultural Institute in Washington, DC. Through this organization he guided a global training project to implement an anti-discrimination at the International Monetary Fund as well as served on the dialogue development team for the President’s Commission on Race during the Clinton Administration. The other focus in this area of work has been group relations conferences that promote principles of adaptive leadership and the study of unconscious organizational processes, especially those related to race and identity. He is a co-founder of Group Relations International and a fellow of the A.K. Rice Institute. Celebrating 30 years of group relations work, Zachary has directed nearly 20 conferences and staffed dozens more in the United States and internationally. Most recently, Zachary was the director of the On the Matter of Black Lives conference and also directed the first all-Black staff group relations conference 20 years ago in Washington, DC. His article on “The BART Method of Organizational Analysis: Boundary, Authority, Role and Task,” co-authored with his husband, René Molenkamp is frequently assigned at colleges and universities where group relations principles are practiced.
The most recent venture for Zachary, through IMAGO Global Grassroots, involves co-creative model of international development in with organizations that serve the poorest of the poor in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and South America.
Zachary received a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Boston University, completed advanced clinical training at Cambridge Hospital/Harvard Medical School and Georgetown University. He began his consulting career as an associate of what was then the Wharton Center for Applied Leadership. Before completing graduate school, Zachary was a middle school counselor and high school English teacher. He and his students in the Shaker Heights City School District founded the Student Group on Race Relations to address racial divides that came with the integration of schools. The program continues to exist to this day and has heralded and replicated for its effectiveness in helping young people enter dialogue and learn from each other on how racial matters. He began his academic career as a senior scholar for the James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership, University of Maryland. There he consulted to a four-year process with emerging leaders of Northern Ireland in advance of the Good Friday Accord and facilitated the inaugural convening of the International Leadership Association.
Christine E. Jones, Chief of Civic Art Strategies, City of San Diego Commission for Arts and CultureChristine Jones is a cultural strategist, curator, and producer with significant experience working in government organizations, museums, galleries, and consultancies. As the Chief of Civic Art Strategies for the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, she oversees programmatic direction, cultural development, and strategic initiatives. Christine cultivates and engages directly on projects that cross programs and sectors, establishes frameworks for arts and culture delivery and advises about the arts industry, creative economy, and public realm. Formerly, Christine served as the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture’s Senior Public Art Manager administering two “percent-for-art” programs and managing the Civic Art Collection. Prior to that, she was a consultant for the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, developing and delivering major public art commissions and exhibitions in the public realm from concept to completion. As a consultant for the San Diego Unified Port District, Christine guided development of its first public art curatorial strategy to realize public art exhibitions on the tidelands of five coastal jurisdictions in San Diego County. Previous to her public art consultancy, she served as a Public Art Project Manager for the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, managing commissions in public places throughout the city. Christine is an Accredited Senior Appraiser recognized by the American Society of Appraisers, specializing in ancient and contemporary Asian art. She has traveled extensively in Asia and Europe, appraised over $50 million in private property, negotiated contracts with internationally recognized artists, and previously held positions at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco and Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. She holds dual Bachelor degrees in Art History and Anthropology from the University of Kansas and a Master of Arts in Museum Studies from San Francisco State University.
Erin Lincoln, Student, University of San Diego
Erin is an undergraduate senior at University of San Diego studying Environmental Science and Nonprofit Enterprise and Philanthropy. She has been working at The Nonprofit Institute since July doing a variety of projects. She is researching the range of sustainable-related courses available at USD in order to honor their commitment to the environment. She is passionate about water quality and equity in San Diego and has been aiding in research and content for the Equinox Quality of Life Dashboard. In her free time she plays with and spoils her new puppy, Meatball.
Bill MaGavern, Policy Director, Coalition for Clean AirBill joined CCA in 2012. Bill has more than 25 years advocating for environmental and public interest causes. He has authored numerous reports and articles on energy and environmental issues, and testifies frequently before the State Legislature, Air Resources Board, and other agencies. From 2000-2011, he represented Sierra Club California on a variety of environmental issues, and was honored in 2003 with the Mary Ferguson Award for outstanding service and in 2011 with the John Zierold Award for outstanding legislative advocacy. Bill was named a Clean Air Champion in 2007 by the Central Valley Air Quality Coalition.
Bill received his A.B in American Civilization, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Brown University and his J.D. magna cum laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School.
Trey McDonald, Director of Sustainability, Facilities Management, University of San Diego
Trey McDonald has worked in several capacities within sustainability for over 20 years, spending time as a whale biologist, environmental scientist, consultant, and university sustainability officer. Observing the pace and scale of development during his time as an environmental scientist in Florida, he recognized the need to rethink our approaches to growth. He shifted his career focus to sustainability strategies, earning his LEED Accreditation, his M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of South Florida (USF), and his Energy Management Certificate from North Carolina State University. His Master’s thesis focused on sustainability at university campuses, and examined USF as a case study. Earlier he earned his B.S. in Marine Biology from Auburn University, and also studied at the University of British Columbia, the University of Oregon, and Florida Institute of Technology. Prior to his positions as Climate and Energy Manager and Director of Sustainability at USD, he served as the first full-time sustainability officer for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the first sustainability coordinator for the University of Richmond, leading the development of comprehensive sustainability plans and programs at each institution.
Beyond his role at USD, Trey enjoys restoring large, expensive things such as houses and cars. He and his wife Sara (a marine biologist with both the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Scripps) have won historic preservation awards for home renovations in both Florida and North Carolina. They also have two large, unruly dogs they adopted in 2018. Trey is an avid distance runner with two marathons to his credit, an all-around sports fan, and a self-avowed science fiction geek.
Roman Partida-Lopez, Legal Counsel, Environmental Equity, The Greenlining Institute
As Legal Counsel with the Environmental Equity team, Román works to ensure that lower-income communities of color have a seat at the table in order to drive climate investments to help improve air quality and economic opportunities within their communities. He believes that communities and their lived experiences must be prioritized, engaged and heard. Román grew up near San Diego in National City, two blocks away from the freeway and across the street from a car body shop that regularly violated city codes by sanding, chroming and painting vehicles out in the open. His exposure to these toxic chemicals and pollution inspired him to work on addressing environmental concerns in his community.
Rooted in social and racial justice, Román collaborates with communities to advance their priorities by advocating for policy change and obtaining the resources needed to lead their own transformation. Additionally, he works on electric vehicle, transportation and mobility policy and investments. He advocates to increase racial equity in transportation planning, investments and implementation.
Román received his B.A. from the University of San Diego and J.D. from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. In his down time, he loves to spend time with his partner and two kids, coaches their sports teams and tries to live out his long lost dream of making it to the Major leagues by playing on an Adult Baseball League team with his three brothers.
Pamela Gray Payton, Vice President, Chief Impact and Partnerships Officer Impact, The San Diego FoundationAs Chief Impact and Partnerships Officer, Vice President of Community Impact for The San Diego Foundation, Pamela oversees The Foundation’s Community Impact programs, leading the organization’s strategic initiatives that advance quality of life for San Diegans. She plays a critical role in developing cross-sector partnerships and implementing future strategic plans for The San Diego Foundation and is currently leading The Foundation’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund and the Black Community Investment Fund.
Pamela previously served as the Assistant Vice President, Community, State, and Local Government Relations; as well as Assistant Vice President of University Communications at the University of San Diego. In both roles, she worked closely with university leadership, campus and community partners, local and state government, and statewide and national higher education associations developing and implementing strategies that advanced the mission of the University of San Diego while addressing humanity’s most urgent challenges.
Pamela has serves as Board President for RISE San Diego and the Kim Center for Social Balance, and has also volunteered as a board member for La Jolla Country Day School; the San Diego Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; and Girl Scouts San Diego. Pamela received her undergraduate degree in Communications from UC San Diego and a Master’s in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego School of Business.
Barry Pollard, Executive Director, Urban Collaborative Project
Since 2013, I have served as the Founder and Executive Director of the Urban Collaborative Project, a Neighborhood Organization focused on improving the quality of life for residents in Southeastern San Diego and other Urban Communities in San Diego.
I oversee this resident driven organization through using the Self-Healing Community Model of focusing on addressing Community Trauma and Resilience centered on Art and Beautification, Health Awareness, and Education.
I am a native San Diegan and after leaving home and receiving a football scholarship attended the Unversity of LA in Lafayette, received a BSBA, and began a 30 year career in Organizational Development and Human Resources. Upon graduation I have worked in a number of large manufacturing corporations, Health care organizations and aerospace companies.
In addition to my role in managing the UCP I have served/or service and represent my community I have:
Co-Chair of Central Region Leadership Team, (currently)
Served on the Encanto Planning Group (7 years)
Executive Committee member NAACP (3 years)
Chairperson of the Citizens Advisory Board on Police Practices(3 years)
Served on the City of SD Arts Commission, (reviewing art applications for rfq’s)
Served on ICOC (SD Unified School District) 6 years
SANDAG Outreach representative for our Community, (currently)
Shadeh Rassoulkhani, Public Health Intern, Outdoor OutreachMy name is Shadeh, gender pronouns she/her/hers. I am a San Diego native, and I love to go on hikes and swim in the ocean. I attended UC Santa Barbara for undergrad and studied Sociology and History. After graduating from UCSB, I worked as a case manager for refugees and immigrants in San Diego for a non-profit. I became interested in the public health services that non-profit organizations and the county provided for the clients and decided to pursue my MPH at SDSU. I am now a second year graduate student at SDSU concentrating in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences. Since March 2020 I have been working with Outdoor Outreach as a public health intern alongside Gabriela Sainz and Christine Wang. We have been working on a youth outdoor access community needs assessment and health promotion plan with Outdoor Outreach. We have been holding youth and family focus groups, key informant interviews, and conducting a survey as part of our needs assessment. We are very excited to share the findings of the needs assessment and amplify youth voices and strive for equity in access to all outdoor spaces in San Diego.
Leslie Reynolds, Executive Director, Groundwork San Diego
Leslie Reynolds is the Executive Director of Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek, the nonprofit community development organization leading environmental and social justice initiatives in Chollas Creek communities of City Heights, Barrio Logan, Southcrest, Southeastern San Diego, Encanto. Ms. Reynolds served as Chief of Staff for a California Assemblymember, and Vice President of San Diego State University. Ms. Reynolds has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California San Diego.
Heather Rossetti, Manager, Thrive Outside Community Initiative, The San Diego Foundation
Heather manages the Thrive Outside Community Initiative at The San Diego Foundation, which was launched in 2019 through the Outdoor Foundation and local partners to increase meaningful, repeat and reinforcing outdoor opportunities for youth and families in San Diego County.
Prior to this role, Heather served as a Program Specialist at The Foundation, overseeing key objectives in the Community Impact department. In addition, Heather has served as an Associate Manager of Sales Operations a local medical device company, NuVasive, Inc., where she managed sales territory alignments, special compensation plans, customer master maintenance and sales reporting.
Heather holds bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from James Madison University. She also serves on the Steering Committee of the Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) San Diego chapter and is a member of the LEAD San Diego Advance Class of 2020.
Dr. Nilmini Silva-Send, Assistant Director and C. Hugh Friedman Fellow in Energy Law and Policy at the Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC), USD School of Law
Dr. Nilmini Silva-Send is the assistant director and the C. Hugh Friedman Fellow in Energy Law and Policy at the Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) at USD School of Law. With over 20 years professional experience, she leads the climate action planning work at EPIC, supervising staff, identifying and resolving energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) data, related regulatory issues and assessment at the project, city, and regional level; development and analysis of GHG reduction policies for climate action plans, especially for transportation; and developing monitoring metrics climate mitigation measures. Her latest research include energy requirements and GHG implications of water use in San Diego and California.
Prior to joining EPIC, Dr. Silva-Send worked in environmental and regulatory due diligence consulting in California, several European countries and for U.S. Department of Defense facilities in Europe. She has developed and spoken at energy and environmental policy capacity-building workshops in Mexico and in Saudi Arabia. She has taught upper level courses in international law, international environmental law and European law in Germany. As Adjunct Professor at USD, she has developed and teaches a class in international energy law with a focus on international energy investment treaties, contracts and dispute resolution, World Trade Organization law related to national energy policies, and linkages with climate change law.
Dr. Silva-Send has a B.S. in Chemistry, an LLB from the University of London, and a PhD in International law and policy.
Kirstin Skadberg, Water Advisor, Kirstin Skadberg Consulting
Ms. Skadberg is president and owner of Kirstin Skadberg Consulting, specializing in environmental planning, permitting, environmental compliance and project management. She has over 20 years of experience in environmental planning and holds a Ph.D. in ecology with a climate change emphasis from the SDSU/UC Davis Joint-Doctoral program. Ms. Skadberg has worked on a wide variety of water-related public infrastructure projects, and is currently the PM for two of Groundwork San Diego's capital improvements projects in the Chollas Creek watershed. As project manager of these projects, she coordinates closely with City of San Diego staff to make sure both the Community's and the City's needs are being met. Ms Skadberg is also a skilled trainer/facilitator, and environmental assessment professor at the University of San Diego.
Dr. Tessa Tinkler, Senior Research Associate, The Nonprofit Institute
Tessa Tinkler has over fifteen years of experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation in K-12 schools and nonprofit organizations. She has experience working collaboratively with many different stakeholders to assess a wide diversity of programs where measuring impact is not one size fits all. Prior to coming to the University of San Diego, she worked for eight years as an evaluator and researcher at the City Heights Educational Collaborative, a university-school partnership designed to increase college and career readiness for low-income students in San Diego. Dr. Tinkler’s passion is partnering with organizations and schools to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and strategies designed to reduce social inequalities. Her recent work has included research in informal learning environments, mobile learning, best practices in teacher recruitment, and health and wellness in schools.
California State Assemblymember Dr. Shirley Weber
Assemblymember Shirley Nash Weber was elected in November of 2012 to represent California's 79th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Bonita, Chula Vista, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City and San Diego.
Born to sharecroppers of Hope, Arkansas, Shirley Weber has lived in California since the age of 3. She attended UCLA, where she received her BA, MA and PhD by the age of 26. Prior to receiving her doctorate, she became a professor at San Diego State University (SDSU) at the age of 23. Dr. Weber also taught at California State University at Los Angeles and Los Angeles City College before coming to San Diego State University.
Dr. Weber chairs the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety. She also serves as a member of the Assembly Standing Committees on Education, Higher Education, Elections, Budget, and Banking and Finance.
Prior to being elected to the Assembly, she served as the mayor's appointee and Chair on the Citizens' Equal Opportunity Commission. Dr. Weber has also served on the Board of the NAACP, YWCA, YMCA Scholarship Committee, Battered Women Services, United Way, San Diego Consortium and Private Industry Council, and many more.
Assemblymember Weber has lived in the 79th Assembly District for over 30 years. Her children attended public school in the district and she was elected to the school board. As a board member, and subsequent board president, she became known for her advocacy for closing the achievement gap and a higher standard of excellence for all children.
From 2005-2006, Dr. Weber hosted a popular weekly radio program weekly entitled, "It's a New Day with Dr. Shirley Weber," on KURS AM 1040. The program was broadcast live throughout San Diego and internationally over the internet. In 2006, she aired her program live from Johannesburg, South Africa, sharing her students' perspectives and those of local South Africans. Dr. Weber has lectured throughout the United States, Caribbean and Africa.
Assemblymember Weber is the mother of two children and the widow of the late Honorable Daniel Weber, a California state judge.
Dr. Mike Williams, Director, Changemaker Hub and Professor, Political Science and International Relations
Mike Williams, JD, PhD, is an alumnus of the University of San Diego (1992) and has been teaching at USD since 1999. He is a Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations and he is the Director of the Changemaker Hub. He is also the co-director of the Urgent Challenges Collective, a strategic initiative at USD that supports teaching, research, and advocacy work focusing on homelessness and food insecurity. Williams focuses his teaching and research on issues related to comparative politics, politics in sub-Saharan Africa, politics in South Africa, and more recently, homelessness. He has published numerous articles and one book on the chieftaincy in South Africa - Chieftaincy, the State, and Democracy: Political Legitimacy in Post-Apartheid South Africa (Indiana University Press, 2010). He offers a study abroad immersion experience to South Africa every summer where USD students collaborate with high school students in the village of Makuleke in South Africa. He is currently conducting research on the intersections of homelessness and politics, specifically the ways San Diego political leaders are addressing issues of stigmatization and NIMBYism.
Emily Young, Executive Director, The Nonprofit Institute
Dr. Emily Young is the executive director of The Nonprofit Institute. She has spent more than 20 years in various positions in philanthropy, as well as higher education. Prior to the University of San Diego, she served as vice president of community impact at The San Diego Foundation, where she was first hired to build its Environment Program in 2000. During her time at The San Diego Foundation, Dr. Young worked with numerous funders and community leaders to catalyze and facilitate regional and statewide collaboratives, developing and implementing grant-making programs around climate change, conservation and youth access to the outdoors, and clean air/water efforts in tribal and other disadvantaged communities. She also managed regional initiatives on arts and culture, civic engagement, education and youth development, and neighborhood revitalization, especially for underrepresented communities. Dr. Young received the 2011 Funder’s Network for Smart Growth Nicholas P. Bollman Award for leaders who inspire through values and action, while the Climate Initiative she led received both the 2012 HUD Secretary’s Award for Public-Private Partnerships and the City of San Diego’s Climate Protection Champion Award.
Prior to The San Diego Foundation, Emily was an assistant professor at the University of Arizona, where she taught courses on environment and society, geography, and Latin America. Dr. Young graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a double BA in Ibero-American Studies and Spanish, and a MS in geography. She received a PhD in geography from the University of Texas at Austin.
Tony Young, President and Co-Founder of RISE San Diego
Tony is a former president of the San Diego City Council. He authored the city’s first fair banking ordinance, as well as legislation to create the Gang Prevention and Intervention Commission and the small business contracting ordinance. As president of RISE San Diego, Tony is responsible for building strategic partnerships and advancing the organization’s community relations.
Previously, he served as chair of Kevin Faulconer’s Mayoral Transition Team. In 2013, he was appointed CEO of the American Red Cross San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter. Under his direction, the organization developed collaborative relationships with businesses, government agencies, and community organizations to address community-wide needs for emergency preparation.
Before joining the Red Cross, Tony built a career in public service advocating for policies and services critical to the lives within the communities he represented. In 2004, he was elected to the San Diego City Council where he served in a variety of leadership positions, including council president from 2010 to 2012 and chair of the budget, audit, and rules and intergovernmental affairs committees. During his time in office, he demonstrated integrity, leadership, commitment, and a proven track record to the residents of San Diego.
Prior to serving in local government, Tony worked as an educator and taught middle school in the San Diego Unified School District for more than ten years.
Tony has served on numerous boards and committees that have provided him with a unique insight into the needs of the greater San Diego community, including the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, and League of California Cities.
He received his degree in socio-economics from Howard University and teaching credentials from the University of San Diego. More recently, he graduated from the Harvard Kennedy School’s Executive Education program.
Tony and his wife, Jacque, live in San Diego and have three daughters.
