RCD Staff

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aine@sanmateoRCD.org

Ainé supports our efforts to restore habitat, enhance streamflow in local creeks for wildlife, and improve water security for local farms and rural domestic uses. No stranger to RCDs, Ainé previously worked in wetland conservation, dune restoration, and environmental permitting at the Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District. Her work on the Big Sur Coast also included monitoring steelhead populations and contributing to efforts to assess the status of salmonids across California. She holds a bachelor’s in Environmental Management and Protection with minors in Geographic Information Systems and Biology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, running, and hiking.

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amy@sanmateoRCD.org

Amy oversees and guides the RCD’s efforts to ensure there are all the quality natural habitats needed to support our diverse local wildlife and flora. Her team restores creek, wetland, grassland, and other habitats; removes dams to restore ancestral migration for salmon; conducts biological monitoring and supports scientific research; and more. She previously worked to restore salmon habitat in the greater Seattle area and later ran a nonprofit organization in San Francisco that connected people to urban trails and nature while conserving important habitat for urban wildlife. She holds a bachelor’s in Environmental Science and Resource Management from the University of Washington with a focus in sustainable forest management, soils, and hydrology. One of her favorite things about working at the RCD is getting to be “boots on the ground” to make meaningful and lasting impact for the local community, wildlife, and environment.

415.993.0636

barb@sanmateoRCD.org

Barb helps broaden and deepen our community relationships, ensure access and transparency for interested parties, and center our work on equity and justice. Passionate about the intersections between equity and conservation, she co-chairs the California Landscape Stewardship Network’s JEDI Roundtable and the Western Collaborative Conservation Network’s Emerging Leadership Initiative. Barb holds a master’s in Conservation and Restoration Science from UC Irvine, where she studied the effects of climate change on migratory birds in the Mojave Desert. She was a 2022 American Bird Conservancy Climate and Justice Fellow. In her free time, she makes stained glass and linocut prints.

650.712.7765

caileen@sanmateoRCD.org

Caileen manages projects and helps landowners to restore wildlife habitat, enhance streamflow in local creeks for wildlife, and improve water security for local farms and rural domestic uses. Her passion for the environment has led her to work on organic vegetable farms, sustainable bakeries, native plant nurseries, parks, and in the green burial industry. She worked on ecological restoration throughout the 82,027 acres of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Her work has always centered on conservation, community engagement, and creative problem solving. Caileen holds a bachelor’s in Biology and Environmental Studies from Gonzaga University.  

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carolyn@sanmateoRCD.org

Carolyn manages projects that improve the ecological health of local forests and other habitats and help our community become more resilient to wildfire. She brings experience in Integrated Pest Management, conservation grazing, and fuels management, with a strong emphasis on community collaboration and equitable access to land. Before joining the RCD, she spent eight years at the East Bay Regional Park District. She holds a bachelor’s in Environmental Geography from Clark University and has always loved exploring and tending the land she calls home. In her free time, she enjoys learning local bird calls, puttering in her garden, and putting good fire back on the ground with her local Prescribed Burn Association. 

cesar@sanmateoRCD.org

Cesar assists in a broad range of tasks that support the backbone of the organization, with a focus on fiscal administration and IT. He brings more than a decade of experience in the hospitality industry to help strengthen internal operations and support the team behind the scenes. Raised in Half Moon Bay, he values the deep community ties in the area and is proud to contribute to conservation efforts in his hometown. In his free time, he enjoys working out, trail running, and gaming.

831.776.0200

clarissa@sanmateoRCD.org

Clarissa is part of our team that supports agricultural producers as environmental stewards. She is passionate about food systems, environmental resilience, and community engagement. Growing up in Salinas, California, she developed a deep respect for agriculture and land stewardship. She has experience in agricultural research, soil analysis, ecosystem monitoring, program coordination, including work with the National Park Service and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and a youth garden instructor with AmeriCorps. Her master’s thesis analyzed greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural soils under different management practices in collaboration with Gold Ridge RCD. Clarissa holds a bachelor’s in Geography and an M.S. in Resource Management and Environmental Planning from San Francisco State University. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and exploring the outdoors.

clifton@sanmateoRCD.org

Clifton is the technical lead in our efforts to identify, assess, and remediate sources of water pollution to help ensure clean creeks and beaches, benefiting both humans and wildlife. As a marine ecologist specializing in coastal California habitats, his background includes outdoor education, community science program development, private consulting in marine and watershed science, and regulatory policy work in water supply planning. He holds a bachelor’s in Marine Biology from UC Santa Cruz and an M.S. in Applied Marine and Watershed Science from CSU Monterey Bay. Clifton is passionate about nature and strives to promote environmental conservation and equitable community resilience. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, tinkering, and spending time outdoors with his friends and dog.

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colleen@sanmateoRCD.org

Colleen manages projects and helps landowners to enhance streamflow in local creeks for wildlife, improve water security for local farms and rural domestic uses, and restore habitat for wildlife. Before joining the RCD, she spent five years leading a coalition of river conservation organizations focused on hydropower policy and cross-sector collaboration. She also has experience in international development, having worked in several countries on projects supporting healthy ecosystems. Colleen holds a bachelor’s in Sociology/Anthropology from Lewis and Clark College and a master’s in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University. She enjoys whitewater rafting, hiking with her dog, dancing, and gardening—especially growing dahlias.

doug@sanmateoRCD.org

Doug is a Project Manager for the Agriculture Program where he works on compost and soil health projects. Doug has worked in San Mateo County agriculture for over 15 years, including at TomKat Ranch and The HEAL Project. He brings 25 years of experience in agriculture (including aquaponics!), composting, soil health, and carbon farm planning. Doug grew up in the middle of farmland and graduated from Ohio State University in Greenhouse Production and Management. Doug’s passion for soil and surf make San Mateo County his ideal home.

650.712.7765

eddie@sanmateoRCD.org

Eddie manages projects that support the health of local forests and the protection of communities in the Wildland Urban Interface. He has worked on wildfire resilience and forest management projects across the Bay Area as a project manager for the FireSafe Council in Santa Clara County, as an urban forester and landscaper in the private sector, and as an AmeriCorps member. He is also a cartographer and naturalist who enjoys learning about the formation of the earth’s geographic features. In his free time, he can be found hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, and going on road trips. Eddie holds a bachelor’s in Environmental Studies with a minor in Geographic Information Science from Humboldt State University.

eliza@sanmateoRCD.org

Eliza plays two roles: the RCD’s Agricultural Stewardship Program Manager and San Mateo County’s Agricultural Ombudsman. As a program manager, she oversees a team that works at the intersection of conservation, climate, and agriculture, supporting producers as environmental stewards. As the Ombudsman, she is a liaison between agricultural stakeholders and County officials to help navigate and improve County systems that affect local farms and ranches. Before joining the RCD, Eliza spent a decade farming organic food and flowers in Santa Cruz and Healdsburg. She holds a bachelor’s in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz, a Certificate in Advanced Ecological Horticulture from CASFS, and a master’s in Environmental Conservation and Education from NYU. In her spare time, you can find her on the pickleball court, playing guitar, or swimming in the ocean.

erin@sanmateoRCD.org

Erin manages projects that restore the ecological health of local forests and help our community become more resilient to wildfire. Her path to the RCD included leading landscape-scale conservation projects in the Sierra Foothills, serving as an area forester with the Utah Department of Natural Resources, and supervising a forestry crew in three national forests in California. She holds a bachelor’s from Alverno College and an M.S. in Environment and Natural Resources with an emphasis on forestry from Ohio State University. Erin enjoys spending time outdoors and getting to know the natural and human communities where she works. Her most recent hobbies include trail running, embroidery, and planning bikepacking adventures.

650.712.7765
grace@sanmateoRCD.org

Grace helps identify sources of pollution to our waterways and supports science-based solutions for local creeks and beaches and the ocean to be clean and healthy for humans and wildlife. She also educates the community about water quality and coordinates community science events to collect valuable data while inspiring watershed stewardship. She earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Environmental Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where her research focused on water quality monitoring and fecal source tracking in agricultural watersheds. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis and hiking the trails of the Bay Area.

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jarrad@sanmateoRCD.org

Jarrad oversees and guides the RCD’s programs related to water security and water quality. This includes conserving, strategically managing, and storing water for the wildlife, farms, and people who depend on local sources as well as finding, preventing, and remediating water pollution for healthy people and ecosystems. He brings a strong background in natural resource management, biogeography, and bioclimatology, with specialized expertise in GIS and remote sensing. His master’s thesis monitored and evaluated a large floodplain restoration project for the RCD. Jarrad holds a bachelor’s in Geography and an M.S. in Geographic Information Science from San Francisco State. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing and backpacking in Yosemite, Tahoe, and the Eastern Sierras.

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joe@sanmateoRCD.org

Joe works across the RCD’s natural resource stewardship programs to ensure technical and operational excellence, integration of programs and services, and high-quality assistance to constituents and partners who request our help. His extensive experience developing, funding, and managing programs and projects, developing strong partnerships, and building organizational capacity was honed by a career in RCDs since 2006, first in Santa Cruz County and in San Mateo County since 2011. He holds a bachelor’s in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz and an M.S. in Geographic Information Science from San Francisco State University. Joe spends much of his free time at his family’s property in Albion, near the Mendocino Coast, where they are actively restoring their redwood forest.

john@sanmateoRCD.org

John works to support the ecological health of local forests and protect communities in the Wildland Urban Interface. He is a Registered Professional Forester with a bachelor’s in Forest Management from Humboldt State University. He began his career managing private timberlands in Mendocino County before relocating to Santa Cruz to join CAL FIRE. Over the years, he held a variety of roles there, including Forest Practice Inspector, Pre-Fire Planner, GIS Coordinator, Fire Investigator, Fire Crew Captain, Assistant Chief of Administration, and Division Chief of the Glenwood Fire Center. In his spare time, you’ll find John painting, biking, cooking, or playing music with friends.

kati@sanmateoRCD.org

Kati assists in a broad range of tasks that support the backbone of the organization, with a focus on contracting and meetings of the board of directors. She brings a background in sustainable agriculture, environmental horticulture, and community engagement, with a particular interest in systems thinking, ecological stewardship, and workplace justice. Her previous education in Environmental Horticulture and Integrated Pest Management at Foothill College laid the groundwork for her commitment to environmental and community resilience. Kati is currently pursuing a bachelor’s in Community Studies and Creative Technologies at UC Santa Cruz. Through this work, she continues to explore the intersections of social justice, digital communication, and land stewardship.

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kellyx@sanmateoRCD.org

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lau@sanmateoRCD.org

Lau wears many hats as the RCD’s Administrative Officer, where she is excited to support its noble, boots on the ground conservation. Prior to working for the RCD, she spent 10 years managing the facilities and curating exhibits at a Victorian-era greenhouse and public garden in San Francisco. Lau holds degrees in History and French from the University of San Francisco and has studied Horticulture at Merritt College. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, nerding out on California history and tending to her garden in Half Moon Bay.

lindsay@sanmateoRCD.org 

Lindsay supports conservation projects across the Agricultural Stewardship and Water for Fish, Farms, and People teams. She brings experience in native plants, urban irrigation, environmental communication, and California water policy. Prior to joining the RCD, Lindsay worked in water conservation and community affairs at East Bay Municipal Utility District and the City of Santa Cruz. She holds a master’s in Environmental Science and Management from the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara, with a focus on conservation planning and water resources. A Bay Area native, Lindsay is excited to contribute to the landscapes and communities that shaped her love of nature and civic engagement.

650.712.7765
maaya@sanmateoRCD.org

Maaya is on the conservation team working on projects addressing fish passage, eradicating slender false brome and habitat restoration. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz and went on to work in environmental consulting and habitat restoration in the Bay Area. She has spent most of her life living on the California coast and enjoys hiking, camping, identifying plants, cooking and overall adventure.

mia@sanmateoRCD.org

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ryan@sanmateoRCD.org

Ryan works as a project manager on the Habitat Enhancement and Water Resources teams helping bring to life projects that improve our coastal watersheds and serve the people, ecosystems, and farms of San Mateo County. Ryan’s studies for his B.A. in Political Science and Economics at UC Berkeley and Agroecology for his Advanced Certificate in Ecological Horticulture from UC Santa Cruz provide a good background for working on projects at the crossroads of sustainable agriculture, water resource management, and land stewardship. Ryan has spent his career working on organic orchards in the Santa Cruz/Watsonville area, as a land manager in the Santa Cruz mountains, and as a project manager for water conservation, streamflow enhancement, and wildfire mitigation projects across Central and Southern California. Ryan enjoys surfing, outrigger canoe paddling, grafting rare fruit trees, finding new varieties for his small chile pepper farm, and spending time exploring the outdoors with his family.

timothy@sanmateoRCD.org
650.712.7765

Timothy manages the RCD’s Forest Health and Fire program, improving the ecological function of forests and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire.  He received his Master’s in Biogeography from Appalachian State University and his B.A. in Geography from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Before coming to the RCD, Timothy worked for 13 years managing stewardship and restoration programs at Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore, and implementing restoration projects in 53 National Park units and conservation areas from the North Slope of Alaska to the borderlands of Arizona. Beyond the RCD, Timothy manages environmental compliance for the Burning Man Project, where he coordinates permitting with federal, state, and local agencies for the largest Leave No Trace event in the world. In his free time, Timothy can be found roller skating in Golden Gate Park, practicing guitar, or marveling at manzanitas on Montara Mountain.