Staff
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In these troubling times, know that we are taking all recommended precautions to keep our staff and community safe from COVID-19 while continuing our work, which is now more important than ever. Our staff is working from home and accessible via email.
Executive Team
Eamon O’Byrne
Executive Director
(707) 526-6930 x 104
Eamon O’Byrne
Executive Director
A native of Dublin, Ireland, Eamon holds an honors B.A. in English and History from University College, Dublin. Prior to joining the Sonoma Land Trust, Eamon was the director of The Nature Conservancy’s California Islands Program. He led a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, conservation practitioners and partners focused on the ecological restoration and recovery of the Conservancy’s Santa Cruz Island Preserve. Eamon’s nonprofit career began in 2000 with the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association, first as the education program manager and then as executive director. Eamon is an avid sailor and is married to Stephanie Linder, Executive Director of the San Francisco Botanical Garden Society.
Melissa Frediani
Operations Director
(707) 526-6930 x 141
Melissa Frediani
Operations Director
As the operations director for Sonoma Land Trust, Melissa is the liaison to the board of directors managing various board activities, as well as supporting the work of the management team. Melissa has called Santa Rosa home for over 20 years and her husband comes from multiple generations rooted in Sonoma County. Raising their two teenage children with a solid appreciation for the great outdoors has always been a priority. Prior to working at Sonoma Land Trust, Melissa had a 20-year career in the medical industry in sales, marketing and product development. She is excited to have made a career shift to follow her passion and be involved with an organization that makes a significant positive community impact.
Acquisitions Team
Jeff Conti
Land Acquisition Project Manager
(707) 526-6930 x 150
Jeff Conti
Land Acquisition Project Manager
Jeff supports the acquisition team’s work in the Russian River watershed and Sonoma Coast. He grew up in New Jersey, but his passion for conservation was fueled by traversing and building trails in the mountains of Montana two years after college. Before moving to Sonoma County in 2019, Jeff worked in the glamour camping (glamping) industry and in public lands stewardship. Jeff has a master’s of environmental management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and a bachelor of arts in economics from Brown University. In his spare time, he loves to climb, cook and roam both wild and urban settings.
Joseph Kinyon
GIS Manager
(707) 526-6930 x 118
Joseph Kinyon
GIS Manager
Joseph guides the use of maps and computer-based map information to support the many needs of staff and collaborators telling Sonoma Land Trust’s story of landscape or agricultural conservation. He stewards the main components of our geographic information system, which are people, computers, mapping software, methods of cartography and mapping science, and our spatial data library. He is a certified geographic information systems professional (GISP) holding an MS degree in geographic information systems (GIS) from the University of Redlands with over 15 years of GIS work experience.
John McCaull
Land Acquisition Director
(707) 526-6930 x 112
John McCaull
Land Acquisition Director
John has lived in Sonoma since 2005 and joined the Land Trust staff in 2013. His primary focus is on protecting and enhancing the invaluable lands and waters of the Sonoma Valley. John has been practicing law in California since 1990, providing legal, real estate and land use planning services, complemented by over 30 years of lobbying and advocacy in Sacramento for clients and environmental organizations. Joining Sonoma Land Trust has given John a chance to apply lessons learned from numerous conservation success stories and bring them home to benefit the community in Sonoma County.
Sara Press
Land Acquisition & Conservation Strategy Program Manager
(707) 526-6930 x 142
Sara Press
Land Acquisition & Conservation Strategy Program Manager
Sara manages Sonoma Land Trust’s acquisition program in the Russian River watershed and coastal region. She has over 10 years of experience doing this type of conservation work, previously with the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. Prior to Ag + Open Space, Sara worked as an urban and regional planner throughout the Bay Area. She grew up in Mendocino County and currently lives in West County. Sara has a master’s degree in geography from the University of Oregon and professional certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners. Outside of work, Sara enjoys traveling, hiking and dancing.
Kendall Webster
Land Acquisition Program Manager
(707) 526-6930 x 106
Kendall Webster
Land Acquisition Program Manager
Kendall’s primary focus at the Land Trust is conservation and restoration in the Sonoma Baylands. Previously, Kendall worked in the Bay Area environmental planning world at Caltrans District 4 in Oakland and various consulting firms, providing environmental support to PG&E. Kendall has a master’s degree from Tufts University in environmental policy and planning, with a concentration in watershed management. She grew up on the peninsula and moved to Sonoma County in 2016. Outside of work, Kendall enjoys time with family and friends, doing yoga, hiking, swimming, and thinking about and making art.
Communications Team
Sheri Cardo
Director of Communications
(707) 526-6930 x 111
Sheri Cardo
Director of Communications
Sheri keeps Sonoma Land Trust visible in the community and engages people in the mission to “protect the land forever.” Originally from the Midwest, she attended Pomona College and then moved to San Francisco, beginning a PR career within the nonprofit sector. Before joining Sonoma Land Trust in 2008, she worked for the Marin Humane Society, KnowledgePoint Software, Queen of the Valley Hospital, and others. Moving to Sonoma County in 1991, she became active in environmental issues and dreamed of a job that would put her professional skills to use protecting wildlife and wild lands — and she’s doing just that!
Community Programs Team
Neal Ramus
Director of Community Programs
(707) 526-6930 x 133
Neal Ramus
Director of Community Programs
Neal leads organizational efforts to broaden audiences, serve community needs, and include a multitude of voices and interests in the work of Sonoma Land Trust. As a born-and-raised Petaluman, Neal has a deep connection with the lands, people and diversity of Sonoma County, which informs his approach and work engaging the community. Neal previously led community program development at the California Academy of Sciences, Petaluma Wildlife Museum and Sonoma State University’s Center for Environmental Inquiry. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology, with a minor in paleontology, and a master’s degree in business administration from Sonoma State University.
Ingrid Stearns
On the Land Program Manager
(707) 526-6930 x 114
Ingrid Stearns
On the Land Program Manager
Ingrid designs and manages Sonoma Land Trust’s On the Land program, which connects people to our diversity of protected lands across a variety of ecosystems. You’ll often see her out on hikes exploring the wildflowers and identifying the native plants on the landscape. A dedicated mother of a young child, Ingrid brings her love of the natural world to her everyday interactions with others. She holds a BA in environmental studies and planning from Sonoma State University and an AS in business from Shasta College.
Corby Hines
Outings Guide
(707) 526-6930 x 110
Corby Hines
Outings Guide
Corby creates lasting connections between people and nature by leading hikes and outings out on the land and assisting with our Bay Camp for kids. Originally from Buffalo, New York, he headed west for college to seek out high mountains and wild landscapes. After graduating with a degree in wildlife biology from the University of Montana, Corby continued on to California to build backcountry trails in Yosemite, restore salmon habitat in Humboldt and teach ecology to kids in Occidental. In addition to leading hikes, Corby shares his photography and videography skills to promote our land protection mission.
Mirella Ramos
Bilingual Youth Programs Coordinator
(707) 526-6930 x 146
Mirella Ramos
Bilingual Youth Programs Coordinator
As a proud first generation American with Salvadoran immigrant parents, Mirella has dedicated her career to service by sharing nature and outdoor skills with those around her. Mirella started her environmental work with the Backcountry Trails Program living and working in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Since then she’s cultivated a love for the outdoors that she shares through her work in environmental education and youth development. She is an accomplished field technician with experience working with trail crews for the National Park Service and Forest Service. Mirella has a Bachelors of Arts in Mass Communication from Sam Houston State University, and she joins us most recently from Saguaro National Park where she led programming for their Youth Conservation Corps program.
Development Team
Shannon Nichols
Director of Philanthropy
(707) 526-6930 x 140
Shannon Nichols
Director of Philanthropy
As director of philanthropy, Shannon helps people further their values by contributing to the work of Sonoma Land Trust. She has more than 20 years of fundraising experience and has led annual and major gift campaigns benefiting land preservation and conservation, social change grant-making and higher education. Shannon moved to California in 2008 from her home state of Maine, where she first fell in love with wild and quiet places. She now lives in Windsor and enjoys spending time with her family and keeping up with the hummingbirds who visit her feeders.
Natasha Bacci
Major Gifts Manager
(707) 526-6930 x 130
Natasha Bacci
Major Gifts Manager
In her role, Natasha engages supporters and friends of Sonoma Land Trust with our work, either through events and communications or out on the land. Prior to Sonoma Land Trust, Natasha worked at The Trust for Public Land where she helped manage the California advisory board and the national organization’s statewide fundraising program for protecting land and creating parks. As a native of Sonoma County, she is excited to be bringing her experience back to her local community and helping the region become more resilient to the changing climate. In her free time, Natasha enjoys sailing, standup paddle-boarding, hiking, traveling and visiting all the beautiful places Sonoma County has to offer.
Melissa Bennett
Development Program Manager
(707) 526-6930 x 108
Melissa Bennett
Development Program Manager
As development program manager, Melissa is responsible for growing and sustaining Sonoma Land Trust’s membership program. She brings almost a decade of experience working in development at environmental nonprofits in the Bay Area, including the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. Melissa is a Sonoma County native, having grown up in Bodega Bay, and is thrilled to be back working to support this area and the community that she loves. In her spare time, you’ll find her exploring the outdoors — hiking and camping, gardening and visiting with friends and family.
Deirdre Holbrook
Donor Engagement Officer
(707) 526-6930 x 122
Deirdre Holbrook
Donor Engagement Officer
As donor engagement officer, Deirdre enjoys working with others to achieve our shared mission of preserving Sonoma County’s beautiful landscape. Her family has lived in the Bay Area for four generations. Her heritage and witness to the Bay Area’s transformation led to her passion for local land conservation. Deirdre worked with Peninsula Open Space Trust and Marin Agricultural Land Trust before joining SLT in 2014. She earned her bachelor’s at UC Santa Cruz and master’s at Northwestern University. She loves spending time with her kids, and is a passionate cook, gardener, potter and outdoor athlete.
Reta Lockert
Donor Relations Director
(707) 526-6930 x 105
Reta Lockert
Donor Relations Director
Now working half-time after 35 years at Sonoma Land Trust, Reta coordinates planned giving. As the Land Trust’s first staffperson, she recorded donations in ink and thanked 300-plus members by hand, taking board minutes, typing them on an IBM Selectric and distributing them by U.S. mail. Since then, Reta’s duties have evolved to reflect her interest in expanding long-term relationships with Land Trust supporters. She loves her ongoing connections with planned givers and learning which special talents they bring to the Land Trust’s mission. Now having more free time, she is eager to increase her singing and dancing.
Aja Walter
Development Associate
(707) 526-6930 x 132
Aja Walter
Development Associate
As the development associate, Aja is responsible for managing the membership database and preparing reports and analyses for the development team. Prior to joining Sonoma Land Trust in October 2018, she was a grant writer for a social services agency in San Diego County. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, sewing, obsessing over political news, and playing with her Barack Obama and Ruth Bader Ginsburg action figures.
Finance & Administration Team
Joe Rizzo
Director of Finance & Administration
(707) 526-6930 x 107
Joe Rizzo
Director of Finance & Administration
Joe possesses over 25 years’ experience in financial leadership and human resources, including working in nonprofits for the last 10 years. After several years in for-profit businesses, he joined Judevine Center for Autism as chief operating officer in 2004. The organization grew by over 50 percent during his first four years to become the largest provider of Autism services in the Midwest, eventually merging with another organization to form Easter Seals Midwest. He comes to Sonoma Land Trust from Buckelew Programs, a behavioral health services nonprofit. Joe is a resident of Petaluma.
Kirti Bavdekar
Senior Accountant
(707) 526-6930 x 121
Kirti Bavdekar
Senior Accountant
Kirti is responsible for a range of financial and accounting duties that are essential to the maintenance and reliability of our accounting systems. Prior to joining Sonoma Land Trust, she worked with nonprofits in the childcare, mental health and health care industries. She has a master’s degree in accounting and finance, and a diploma in HR management. Kirti is a native of Mumbai, India and has called Santa Rosa home for 15 years. She loves our nature-rich Sonoma County.
Frances Lum
Staff Accountant
(707) 526-6930 x 102
Frances Lum
Staff Accountant
Frances joined the Sonoma Land Trust staff in May 2016. As staff accountant, she supports the finance team by performing bookkeeping duties. Prior to joining the Land Trust, she worked in accounting and human resources for a local community bank. Raised in Santa Rosa, Frances is inspired by the beauty of Sonoma County; she feels fortunate to be involved in supporting the Land Trust’s work in preservation and conservation of land and nature for future generations to enjoy and treasure.
Stewardship Team
Bob Neale
Stewardship Director
(707) 526-6930 x 119
Bob Neale
Stewardship Director
Bob has led the development and growth of Sonoma Land Trust’s stewardship program since 2004, a time during which the management of our natural lands has become a primary focus of the conservation community. He is fortunate to have great colleagues to work with and learn from, now and throughout his career. A California native, he graduated with a BA in creative writing from San Francisco State, then worked at Peninsula Open Space Trust and Sustainable Conservation. He may be found among serpentine wildflowers contemplating, “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Shanti Edwards
Stewardship Senior Project Manager
(707) 526-6930 x 116
Shanti Edwards
Stewardship Senior Project Manager
Shanti Edwards manages Sonoma Land Trust’s coastal preserves. Current land management projects involve collaborations with partner groups, agricultural producers, private foundations, neighbors and volunteers to implement a variety of natural resource management, infrastructure maintenance, recreation planning and community engagement activities. Shanti graduated from Sonoma State University with a BA in environmental studies. Born and raised in Northern California, she has lived in Sonoma County for over 20 years. When she’s not busy stewarding our iconic coastal properties, she enjoys time with her lively preschool-age boy and the rich experiences that family life entails.
Melina Hammar
Stewardship Project Manager
(707) 526-6930 x 115
Melina Hammar
Stewardship Project Manager
Melina manages Sonoma Land Trust’s preserves in the Russian River watershed. Her love of the outdoors and the critters that inhabit it led her to pursue a career in conservation. Prior to joining the Land Trust, Melina worked for the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation + Open Space District. She holds a BA in environmental studies and planning, with a minor in biology, from Sonoma State University and an AS in natural science from Santa Rosa Junior College. In her free time, Melina enjoys experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, tending to her garden and exploring new places.
Julian Meisler
Baylands Program Manager
(707) 526-6930 x 109
Julian Meisler
Baylands Program Manager
Julian focuses on conservation of the Baylands region of southern Sonoma County. He is particularly interested in understanding and connecting tidal and upland landscapes to accommodate future sea level rise — work that enables him to work with many partners in conservation, transportation, agriculture and more. Julian lives in Santa Rosa with his family and, when not at work, he loves to ride, hike, ski and surf as much as possible. Julian holds a BS degree from Colorado State University and an MS degree from the University of Vermont.
Tony Nelson
Sonoma Valley Program Manager
(707) 526-6930 x 120
Tony Nelson
Sonoma Valley Program Manager
Tony has been with Sonoma Land Trust since 2008, and cares for our properties and manages regional stewardship programs in Sonoma Valley and the Mayacamas Mountains — including work to protect wildlife habitats and movement corridors. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in wildlife and fisheries science. His 16 years in conservation prior to arriving at Sonoma Land Trust were spent as a project manager with The Nature Conservancy, where he used grazing and prescribed burning to reach ecological objectives, and as director of stewardship for Marin Agricultural Land Trust, where he became a California certified rangeland manager.
Kyle Pinjuv
Conservation Easement Program Manager
(707) 526-6930 x 123
Kyle Pinjuv
Conservation Easement Program Manager
As conservation easement program manager, Kyle works closely with colleagues, landowners and partners to manage Sonoma Land Trust’s conservation easement properties. He was raised in Reno, Nevada and then moved to Washington State where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in environmental studies at The Evergreen State College. His graduate studies led him to work in a variety of locations, including Washington, Alaska, New Mexico and Maine, before returning to the West Coast to work for the Land Trust in 2015. Kyle enjoys exploring and photographing the landscapes and wildlife of each area he’s called home.
Joe Plaugher
Stewardship Project Manager
(707) 526-6930 x 152
Joe Plaugher
Stewardship Project Manager
A West Sonoma County native who grew up among the redwoods, Joe stewards our Sonoma Valley preserves and serves as coordinator for the Sonoma Valley Wildlands Collaborative. Joe has a bachelor’s in political science from Pacific University, is working towards a Natural Resources Management certificate and is an active volunteer in support of ecologically beneficial prescribed fire with the Good Fire Alliance. Prior to joining the Land Trust, he worked in political campaigns and public policy, most recently as a field representative for Rep. Mike Thompson. Joe has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, worked as a whitewater rafting guide, is an avid cyclist and is happiest sleeping out under the stars.
Tom Tolliver
Stewardship Project Manager
(707) 526-6930 x 148
Tom Tolliver
Stewardship Project Manager
Tom’s early interest in all things outdoors led him to start his college education in the natural sciences and then meander over to the social sciences to earn a sociology degree at Cal State Long Beach. His nonprofit administration work was in youth development, but, later, he found greater satisfaction in construction and project management. That, coupled with a deep interest in wildlife and their habitats, led him to work for many years as an independent contractor completing numerous projects for Sonoma Land Trust. Today, he’s helping to rebuild the infrastructure on Sonoma Land Trust’s burned preserves.