![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/header-our-staff.jpg)
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/header-our-staff.jpg)
Mission & People
People need trees and trees need people.
TreePeople is Southern California’s largest environmental movement whose mission is to inspire, engage and support people to take personal responsibility for the urban environment, making it safe, healthy, fun and sustainable and to share our process as a model for the world.
Leadership
![Headshot Amanda Begley](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/headshot-amanda-begley-800x800.jpg)
Amanda Begley
Watershed Senior Program Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/headshot-dan-berger-800x800.jpg)
Daniel Berger
Executive Director of Operations
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/headshot-eileen-garcia-800x800.jpg)
Eileen Garcia
Director of Community Forestry Strategic Partnerships & Operations
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/headshot-kevin-gaston-1.jpg)
Kevin Gaston
Executive Director of TreePeople Land Trust
![Manny Gonez](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/headshot-manny-gonez-800x800.jpg)
Manny Gonez
Director of Policy Initiatives
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Alex-800x800.jpg)
Alex Miller
Director of Marketing and Communications
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/headshot-saxon-miller-800x800.jpg)
Saxon Miller-Jones
Director of Development
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/headshot-katie-mills.jpg)
Katie Mills
Director of Education & Outdoor Equity
![Headshot David Pineda](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/headshot-david-pineda-800x800.jpg)
David Pineda
Director of Operations and Grants
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/headshot-thierry-rivard-800x800.jpg)
Thierry Rivard
Director of Mountain Forestry Strategic Partnerships & Operations
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Yvette Rojas
Director of Administration & Park Operations
![Marcos Trinidad](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/headshot-marcos-trinidad-800x800.jpg)
Marcos Trinidad
Senior Director of Forestry
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/headshot-emily-tyrer-800x800.jpg)
Emily Tyrer
Director of Green Infrastructure
Forestry
![Mario Dagonel](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/headshot-mario-dagonel-800x800.jpg)
Mario Dagonel
Senior Manager of Community Engagement
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/headshot-loren-feder.jpg)
Loren Feder
Teams for Trees Program Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/headshot-Mathieu-Koontz-800x800.jpeg)
Mathieu Koontz
AmeriCorps Program Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Haley Marzolf
Forestry Administration Assistant
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Libby-800x800.jpg)
Libby Thomas
Forestry Administrator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/headshot-bryan-vejar.jpg)
Bryan Vejar
Senior Manager Arboricultural Training and Education
![Talia Dotson](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/headshot-talia-dotson-800x800.jpg)
Talia Dotson
Community Organizing Senior Manager
Mountain Forestry
![Ivan Castillo](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/headshot-ivan-castillo-800x800.jpg)
Ivan Castillo
Mountain Forestry Program Manager
![Matt Loftis](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/headshot-matt-loftis-800x800.jpg)
Matthew Loftis
Mountain Forestry Senior Program Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Alex-Turner-800x800.jpg)
Alex Turner
Mountain Forestry Senior Coordinator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Santos Amaya
Mountain Forestry Associate Program Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/headshot-stephanie-liu-800x800.jpg)
Stephanie Liu
Mountain Forestry Associate Program Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Ian Smith
Mountain Forestry Associate Program Manager
![Max De Maria](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/headshot-max-de-maria-800x800.jpg)
Max De Maria
Mountain Forestry Associate
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Charles Spurr
Mountain Forestry Associate
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/headshot-vicky-phan-800x800.jpg)
Vicky Phan
Mountain Forestry Coordinator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/headshot-alyssa-walker-800x800.jpg)
Alyssa Walker
Mountain Forestry Senior Program Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/headshot-Heather-Turpin-800x800.png)
Heather Turpin
Santa Clarita Community Organizer
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/headshot-gil-lester-800x800.jpg)
Gil Lester
Forest Health Community Organizer
Community Forestry
![Xiomara Duran](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/headshot-xiomara-duran-800x800.jpg)
Xiomara Duran
Forestry Associate Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/headshot-alyssa-carrillo-800x800.jpg)
Alyssa Carrillo
Community Organizer (San Fernando Valley)
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/headshot-rose-liston-800x800.jpg)
Rose Liston
Community Forestry Coordinator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Alejandro-Montes-800x800.jpg)
Alejandro Montes
Regional Manager (Inland Empire)
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/headshot-marcia-castro-800x800.jpg)
Marcia Castro
Community Forestry Manager (Inland Empire)
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Rich Rivera
Community Forestry Associate (Inland Empire)
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/headshot-alexandra-diaz-800x800.jpg)
Alexandra Diaz
Community Forestry Coordinator (Riverside)
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/headshot-viviana-rodriguez-800x800.jpg)
Viviana Rodriguez
Community Forestry Apprentice (Riverside)
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/headshot-irma-barba-800x800.jpg)
Irma Barba
Community Forestry Apprentice (Riverside)
![Kyle Kolhlbrenner](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/headshot-kyle-kolhlbrenner-800x800.jpg)
Kyle Kohlbrenner
Community Forestry Associate Manager (South Los Angeles)
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Michelle Mendoza
Community Forestry Associate (South Los Angeles)
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Ojani-800x800.jpg)
Ojani Casillas
Community Forestry Associate (South East Los Angeles)
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Juan Cueto
Community Forestry Associate (South East Los Angeles)
![Monica Pineda](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/headshot-monica-pineda-800x800.jpg)
Monica Pineda
Community Forestry Coordinator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Juan Vaca
Community Forestry Associate (South East Los Angeles)
![Andrew Castillo](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/headshot-andrew-castillo-2-800x800.jpg)
Andrew Castillo
Community Organizer (South East Los Angeles)
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Marcela Jaquez
Community Organizer (South East Los Angeles)
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Francisco Vargas
Community Forestry Manager (San Gabriel Valley)
![Headshot of Jonathan Campos](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/headshot-jonathan-campos.jpg)
Jonathan Campos
Community Forestry Coordinator
![Headshot of Carmen Sanchez](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/headshot-carmen-sanchez.jpg)
Carmen Sanchez
Community Forestry Associate (San Gabriel Valley)
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Priscila Papias
Community Forestry Coordinator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Idelfonso Villarreal
Community Forestry Associate
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Charlene Williams
Community Forestry Apprentice
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/headshot-jack-smith-800x800.jpg)
Jack Smith
Community Forestry Manager - Urban Parks
Nursery
![Katie Aymar](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/headshot-katie-aymar-800x800.jpg)
Katie Aymar
Nursery & Restoration Specialist
Education
Youth Leadership
![Rebecca Saltsman](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/headshot-rebecca-saltsman-2-800x800.jpg)
Rebecca Saltsman
Youth Leadership Senior Manager
![Savannah Ackerman](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/headshot-savannah-ackerman-800x800.jpg)
Savannah Ackerman
Youth Leadership Program Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/headshot-trisha-herrera-800x800.jpg)
Trisha Herrera
Youth Leadership Coordinator
![Headshot Kylie Lesko](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/headshot-kylie-lesko-800x800.jpg)
Kylie Lesko
Youth Leadership Coordinator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/headshot-Laura-Hegstetter-800x800.jpg)
Laura Hegstetter
School Outreach Coordinator
Outdoor Equity
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/headshot-maria-adame-800x800.jpg)
Maria Adame
Outdoor Equity Senior Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/headshot-Zoe-Temple-800x800.jpg)
Zoë Temple
Eco Opportunities Program Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Cesar-800x800.jpg)
Cesar Hernandez
Eco-Tours Coordinator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/headshot-jazmin-quezada-800x800.jpg)
Jazmin Quezada
Outdoor Equity Program Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/headshot-shoshana-ambartsumyan-800x800.jpg)
Shoshana Ambartsumyan
Outdoor Equity Lead Educator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Garrett Gray
Outdoor Equity Educator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/headshot-abigail-gonzalez.jpg)
Abigail Gonzalez
Outdoor Equity Educator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/headshot-dina-khatib.jpg)
Dina Khatib
Outdoor Equity Educator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/headshot-Olivia-Bailey-800x800.jpg)
Olivia Bailey
Outdoor Equity Coordinator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/headshot-hillary-michelle-800x800.jpg)
Hillary Lefkowitz
Outdoor Equity Coordinator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/headshot-jessica-martinez-800x800.jpg)
Jessica Martinez
Outdoor Equity Coordinator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/headshot-carissa-donahoo-800x800.jpg)
Carissa Donahoo
Outdoor Equity Strategic Operations Manager
Green Infrastructure
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/headshot-Bertilla-Baudinere-1-800x800.jpg)
Bertilla Baudiniere
Green Infrastructure Design Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/headshot-michelle-bagnato-800x800.jpg)
Michelle Bagnato
School Greening Senior Project Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/headshot-eric-wilson-800x800.jpg)
Eric Wilson
Green Infrastructure Program Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Edward Saloj
Green Infrastructure Coordinator
Policy & Research
![Dustin Hermann](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/headshot-dustin-herrmann-800x800.jpg)
Dustin Herrmann
Principal Scientist
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Alejandro Fabian
Policy and Research Associate
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Mary-800x800.jpg)
Mary Hillemeier
Policy & Research Senior Coordinator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Igor Bronz
Policy & Research Senior Coordinator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Peter-Massey-800x800.jpg)
Peter Massey
Water Equity Programs Project Manager
Marketing & Communications
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/headshot-edgar-iriarte-800x800.jpg)
Edgar Iriarte
Web & Technology Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/headshot-adam-thomas-800x800.jpg)
Adam Thomas
Events & Community Partnerships Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Zoie Matthew
Digital Marketing Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/headshot-bliss-parsons-800x800.jpg)
Bliss Parsons
Senior Graphic Designer
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/headshot-cez-cruz.png)
Cez Cruz
Jr Graphic Designer
Operations & Grants
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/headshot-Chuck-Mills.jpg)
Chuck Mills
Senior Grants Administrator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Brenna-800x800.jpg)
Brenna Humann
Grant Writer
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Marylu Issaevitch
Grant Accountant
Development
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/headshot-LucyYoshioka-800x800.jpg)
Lucy Yoshioka
Development Associate
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Sammy Glazer
Development Program Coordinator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Brielle Cruz Vega
Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager
Administration & Park Operations
![Headshot Loyda Ramos](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/headshot-loyda-ramos-2-800x800.jpg)
Loyda Ramos
Administrative Services Partner
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/headshot-julio-tzoc-800x800.jpg)
Julio Tzoc
Facilities Maintenance Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/headshot-mario-melgarejo-800x800.jpg)
Mario Melgarejo
Human Resources Assistant
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/headshot-nathan-bock-800x800.jpg)
Nathan Bock
Grounds Manager
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
Eduardo Moreno Ambriz
Park Operations Assistant
TreePeople Land Trust
![Mark Fiege](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/headshot-mark-fiege.png)
Mark Fiege
TreePeople Land Trust Restoration Project Manager
![Nick Handman](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/headshot-nick-handman.png)
Nick Handman
TreePeople Land Trust Stewardship Manager
![Manny Gomez](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/headshot-manny-gomez.png)
Manny Gomez
TreePeople Land Trust Restoration Specialist
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/headshot-dan-berman-800x800.jpg)
Dan Berman
Stewardship Coordinator
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/photo-coming-soon-1.jpg)
German Chiuz
Stewardship Technician
Board of Directors
Philip Boesch, Esq.
Board of Directors, Chair, Boesch Law Group
Noah Perch-Ahern
Vice Chair, Partner at Greenberg Glusker Environmental Department
John D. Bunzel, CFP®
First Vice President | Financial Advisor | Global Sports and Entertainment Director, Certified Financial Planner™ Insurance Planning Director THE 310 GROUP Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Ruth Y. Goldway
Treasurer, The Honorable Ruth Goldway, retired chairman | US Postal Regulatory Commission
Edgar G. Dymally
Secretary, Senior Environmental Specialist | Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
J. Lee Braly
Board Member, Principal | i2i Consulting
Laurie Benenson
Board Member, Writer, Editor, Filmmaker
Beth Burnam
Board Member, Co- President and Founding Member of the North Topanga Canyon Fire Safe Council
Susan W. Drake
Board Member, Co-Owner Casa Automotive Group
Dr. Jonathan Fielding
Board Member, Professor at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and Author
Karin Fielding
Board Member, Public Health Advocate
Jonathan Friedland
Board Member, Octagonal Hall LLC
Nancy Helsley
Board Member, Retired Public School Teacher
Dr. Lee Kats
Board Member, Professor of Biology, Vice Provost for Research and Strategic Initiatives
Jered Lindsay
Board Member, Senior Attorney, Environmental Section, Southern California Edison Law Dept.
Robert Llorens
Board Member, EVP & Chief Credit Officer Cal Private Bank
Sara Rutherford Nichols
Board Member
Josephine Powe
Board Member, Environmental Lawyer
William Quicksilver
Board Member, Manatt, Sr. Partner, Chief Executive Officer, Managing Partner Emeritus
Mindy Rothstein Mann
Board Member
Keith Terasaki
Board Member, Interventional Radiologist at the Kaiser Hospital, Chairman of the Terasaki Family Foundation, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Wesley Health Clinics
Sam Whiting
Board Member, Director, Boeing Global Engagement
Ira Ziering
Board Member, Entrepreneur, Ziering France Co.
David Zucker
Board Member, Writer, Director, Producer
Founder
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/headshot-andy-lipkis.jpg)
Andy Lipkis
Founder, TreePeople
Our Core Values
At TreePeople, we are....
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/acorn.jpg)
Enthusiastic
Sparking joy is at the core of everything we do. Our work is fun, hopeful, and uplifting. We spread our passion to others and support them to change the world for the better.
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/sapling-with-berm.jpg)
Welcoming
We foster kindness and a culture that welcomes everyone. We center diverse voices to further environmental justice and equity in the communities we serve. Everyone has a place in our movement; we are all TreePeople.
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/monarch.jpg)
Respectful
We actively listen to gain understanding and are courteous and mindful in our interactions with others. We show respect to the spaces where we work, to the people and cultures we work with, and to the history that precedes us.
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/grass-plain.jpg)
Harmonious
We prioritize collaboration. We do this within the organization and the communities we serve. We are at our best when we work together and actively step up when one of us needs support.
![](https://www.treepeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/watering-can.jpg)
Committed
We ensure the longevity of our work through lasting and meaningful commitment to the spaces and the communities we engage with. We strive to exemplify our mission not only through our words but through our actions. We are dedicated to learning and innovating as we strive towards a greener future for us all.
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