California

About Aububon California

Learn about our history and meet our staff.
Marbled Godwit, Long-billed Curlew, Greater Yellowlegs, Northern Pintail, Great Egret. Photo: Richard Derevan/Audubon Photography Awards

Audubon California, together with a statewide network of 48 grassroots chapters and more than 118,000 members, is building a brighter future for birds, people, and nature. Through conservation, advocacy, and community engagement, we are making a lasting impact on California’s landscapes and the wildlife that depends on them.

As a dynamic field program of National Audubon, we use cutting-edge science, policy leadership, and strategic partnerships to tackle the most pressing conservation challenges across the state. California’s incredible biodiversity is under threat from climate change, habitat loss, and environmental degradation—but by working together, we can ensure a future where birds and communities thrive.

Our work spans coastal habitats, wetlands, grasslands, and urban spaces, protecting species like the Allen’s Hummingbird, Tricolored Blackbird, and Western Snowy Plover. From leading conservation ranching programs and creating wetlands across the Central Valley to expanding coastal wetland restoration, protecting precious desert habitats, and supporting climate action initiatives, we are shaping a more resilient California for generations to come. These efforts also ensure that migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway have the healthy habitats they need to complete their cross-hemispheric journeys each year.

With your support, we can turn the tide for birds and ecosystems across the state. Join us—because when we protect birds, we protect our shared future.

Locations and Staff

Audubon California Headquarters

Andrea Jones

Conservation Director and Interim Executive Director, Audubon California

Erinn Ramanujam

Director of Strategic Operations, Audubon California

Shineh Rhee

Communications Director, Audubon California

Janine Kraus

Director of Gift Planning

Lynn Sagramoso

Regional Director of Institutional Giving

Zayda Ortiz

Operations Manager, Audubon California

Liliana Griego

Senior Program Manager, Coasts, Audubon California

Rachel Bailey

Community Building Manager, Audubon California (she/her)

Clarissa Ingersol

Senior Development Associate

Alecia Smith

Senior Communications Coordinator, Audubon California (they, them, she)

Ali LaVanway

Senior Coordinator of Contracts, Audubon California

Audubon California Sacramento Office

Mike Lynes

Director of Public Policy, Audubon California

Michael Chen

Senior Manager of Government Relations, Audubon California

Dan Orr

Director of Geospatial Science, Audubon California

Bridget Mulkerin

Senior Manager, Climate Policy (she/her)

Taylor Broadhead

Senior Water Policy Program Manager, Audubon California

Keilani Bonis-Ericksen

Geospatial Program Manager, Audubon California

Pelayo Alvarez

Conservation Ranching Program Director, Audubon California

Grace Ferguson

Grace Ferguson Manager, Conservation Ranching Program, Audubon California (she, her)

Payton Thomas

Rangeland Ecologist, Audubon California

Shana Risby

Shana Risby

Conservation Ranching Program Senior Outreach Coordinator, Audubon California

Xerónimo Castañeda

Working Lands Program Director, Audubon California

Ashley Seufzer

Working Lands Program Manager, Audubon California

Ian Souza-Cole

Working Lands Program Manager, Audubon California

Jodi Pinder

Project Associate, Audubon California (she, her)

Audubon California Bobcat Ranch

Matt Allhouse

Senior Program Manager Ranch and Land Management, Audubon California

Audubon Center at Debs Park
A portrait of Evelyn Serrano outside framed by flowers.

Evelyn Serrano

Director Audubon Center at Debs Park, (she/they)

He Sung Im

Public Programs Manager, Audubon California

Denys Hemen

Facility and Operations Manager

Amaris Corona Sandoval

Community Conservation Fellow

Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary

Casey Skinner

San Francisco Bay Program Director, Audubon California

Paige Fernandez

San Francisco Bay Program Manager, Audubon California (Sher/Her)

Mia Rosati

Mia Rosati, Community Conservation Fellow, Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary (she, her, hers)

Audubon Kern River Preserve

Reed Tollefson

Kern River Preserve Manager, Audubon California

Sandra Wiester

Kern River Preserve Maintenance Assistant, Audubon California

Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary

Sandy DeSimone

Director Research, Education and Land Management, Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary

Pete DeSimone

Project Director, Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary

Matthew Skarie

Field Supervisor, Audubon Starr Ranch

Salton Sea & Deserts Program

Lauren Elachi

Southern California Program Director, Audubon California

Camila Bautista

Salton Sea and Desert Program Manager, Audubon California

Rhian Reyes

Campaign Organizer, Audubon California

Lindsay Rowe

Education Coordinator, Audubon California

Audubon Wattis Sanctuary

Pat Collmer

Sanctuary Manager, Audubon Wattis Sanctuary

Williams Sisters Ranch Sanctuary

Daniel Pietsch

Senior Ranch Coordinator, Williams Sisters Ranch Sanctuary

Audubon Advisory Board

Emmy Cattani, Advisory Board Chair
A fifth-generation agri-businesswoman from Kern County, Emmy manages her family's investments in agriculture and real estate. She previously worked in private equity and management consulting. Emmy holds degrees from Harvard and Stanford and joined the board in 2022.

Sally Fenton
A longtime conservation supporter, Sally is active in bird-related issues, education, and the arts. She has served as a docent at Stanford’s Cantor Arts Center for over 30 years and joined the board in 2020.

Tom Gallo
Vice President of Strategic Business Development for G3 Enterprises, Tom has deep experience in marketing, community relations, and agriculture. He is active in numerous nonprofits and joined the board in 2018.

Rebeca Ladrón de Guevara
A software developer and published short story writer,  Rebeca also serves as Conservation Co-Chair for the Shasta Birding Society, advocating for birds and their habitat along the Sacramento River. She joined the board in 2025.

Kevin Hunting
A retired wildlife conservation expert, Kevin held leadership roles at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and helped develop the state’s 30x30 biodiversity conservation policy. He joined the board in 2023.

Eric Johnson
An active member of the Sacramento Audubon Chapter, Eric has served on multiple nonprofit and municipal commissions. A Duke and USC graduate, he enjoys birding, running, and conservation advocacy. He joined the board in 2022.

Brita Lundberg
A fourth-generation member of Lundberg Family Farms, Brita works in marketing and sustainability storytelling. With experience in publishing and agriculture, she is passionate about conservation. She joined the board in 2022.

Robert Snow
A retired GPS systems expert with a background in neurophysiology, Robert now focuses on birding and conservation. He serves as Secretary of Fresno Audubon Society and joined the board in 2015.

Kenneth Sobon
A science educator and conservation leader, Ken has served in multiple educational and environmental leadership roles, including directing the Northern Saw-whet Owl Research Project. He joined the board in 2019.

Gary Tavetian
A retired attorney, Gary spent the bulk of his career engaged in environmental litigation for the California Office of Attorney General, representing state agencies that address air quality, water quality, water distribution, protection of fish and wildlife, fire protection among others.  He joined the board in 2024.

Dave Tyra
A former IT executive turned conservation leader, Dave has held multiple leadership roles with Morro Coast Audubon Society and coordinates key bird surveys. He joined the board in 2017.

Tammah Watts
A licensed therapist, author, and lifelong advocate for communities in need, Tammah is passionate about birding and nature therapy. Her book, Keep Looking Up, was published in 2023. She joined the board in 2021.