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/̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Photography Awards

̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ 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 ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡, 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

̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California Headquarters

Andrea Jones

Conservation Director and Interim Executive Director, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Erinn Ramanujam

Director of Strategic Operations, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Shineh Rhee

Communications Director, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Janine Kraus

Director of Gift Planning, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

Lynn Sagramoso

Regional Director of Institutional Giving, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Clarissa Ingersol

Senior Development Associate, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Jared Milrad, J.D., M.S.

Senior Director of Leadership Giving, West Coast, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

Liam Sigman, 

Director of Leadership Giving (West Coast), ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

Danika Jensen

Leadership Giving Manager, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡

Zayda Ortiz

Operations Manager, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Liliana Griego

Senior Program Manager, Coasts, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Rachel Bailey

Community Building Manager, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California (she/her)

Alecia Smith

Senior Communications Coordinator, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California (they, them, she)

Ali LaVanway

Senior Coordinator of Contracts, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California Sacramento Office

Mike Lynes

Director of Public Policy, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Michael Chen

Senior Manager of Government Relations, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Dan Orr

Director of Geospatial Science, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Bridget Mulkerin

Senior Manager, Climate Policy (she/her)

Taylor Broadhead

Senior Water Policy Program Manager, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Keilani Bonis-Ericksen

Geospatial Program Manager, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Pelayo Alvarez

Conservation Ranching Program Director, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Grace Ferguson

Grace Ferguson Manager, Conservation Ranching Program, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California (she, her)

Payton Thomas

Rangeland Ecologist, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Shana Risby

Shana Risby

Conservation Ranching Program Senior Outreach Coordinator, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Xerónimo Castañeda

Working Lands Program Director, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Ashley Seufzer

Working Lands Program Manager, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Ian Souza-Cole

Working Lands Program Manager, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Jodi Pinder

Project Associate, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California (she, her)

̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California Bobcat Ranch

Matt Allhouse

Senior Program Manager Ranch and Land Management, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center at Debs Park
A portrait of Evelyn Serrano outside framed by flowers.

Evelyn Serrano

Director ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center at Debs Park, (she/they)

He Sung Im

Public Programs Manager, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Denys Hemen

Facility and Operations Manager

Amaris Corona Sandoval

Community Conservation Fellow

Richardson Bay ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center & Sanctuary

Casey Skinner

San Francisco Bay Program Director, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Paige Fernandez

San Francisco Bay Program Manager, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California (Sher/Her)

Mia Rosati

Mia Rosati, Community Conservation Fellow, Richardson Bay ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Center & Sanctuary (she, her, hers)

̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Kern River Preserve

Reed Tollefson

Kern River Preserve Manager, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Sandra Wiester

Kern River Preserve Maintenance Assistant, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Starr Ranch Sanctuary

Sandy DeSimone

Director Research, Education and Land Management, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Starr Ranch Sanctuary

Pete DeSimone

Project Director, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Starr Ranch Sanctuary

Matthew Skarie

Field Supervisor, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Starr Ranch

Salton Sea & Deserts Program

Lauren Elachi

Southern California Program Director, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Camila Bautista

Salton Sea and Desert Program Manager, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Rhian Reyes

Campaign Organizer, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

Lindsay Rowe

Education Coordinator, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ California

̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Wattis Sanctuary

Pat Collmer

Sanctuary Manager, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Wattis Sanctuary

Williams Sisters Ranch Sanctuary

Daniel Pietsch

Senior Ranch Coordinator, Williams Sisters Ranch Sanctuary

̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ 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 ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ 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 ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Society and joined the board in 2015.

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 ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ 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.