Our

Board &

Advisors

Our board & advisors contribute expertise in conservation, community health, environmental justice, policy, finance, tribal relations, and nonprofit leadership. They guide our mission with clarity and care.

Board of Directors

Advisors

  • John Amodio

    Former Executive Director of Tuolumne River Trust and longtime California environmental leader who helped secure Wild and Scenic protection for 83 miles of the Tuolumne River.

  • Karyn Bryant

    Director of California Major Gifts at American Rivers and former TRT staff member with deep roots in Tuolumne River conservation.

  • Sally Chenault

    Attorney, mediator, and lifelong Tuolumne River advocate with extensive experience in fundraising, public speaking, and environmental lobbying.

  • William “Bill” Collins

    Veteran environmental advocate with over 45 years of leadership in conservation policy, including roles with Sierra Club and League of Conservation Voters.

  • Joe Daly

    Founding board member of Tuolumne River Trust and pivotal leader in the successful campaign for Wild and Scenic designation and Clavey River dam protection.

  • Tim Eichenberg

    Environmental attorney, former Chief Counsel at BCDC, and nationally recognized expert in climate, coastal, and ocean law.

  • Chris Guptill

    Educator and community organizer who founded Operation 9-2-99, leading large-scale volunteer cleanups and restoration along the Tuolumne through Modesto.

  • Olivia Heitz

    Climate technologist and former Tuolumne River guide working at the intersection of data, finance, and environmental solutions.

  • Noah Hughes

    Earth science and geology professor at Modesto Junior College and expert kayaker with deep knowledge of the Tuolumne River system.

  • Zarine Kakalia

    Climate and ESG strategist with dual degrees from UC Berkeley and Haas School of Business, bridging sustainability and business innovation.

  • Cecily Majerus

    Former Executive Director of Tuolumne River Trust, former Chesapeake Bay Coordinator for Maryland, and past Chair of Ocean Conservancy.

  • Jerry Meral, Ph.D.

    Director of California Water Programs at the Natural Heritage Institute and former Deputy Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency.

  • Amy Meyer

    Founding member of Tuolumne River Trust and longtime civic leader in conservation and public lands stewardship in the Bay Area.

  • Richard Roos-Collins

    Environmental attorney with the Natural Heritage Institute and former President of the Tuolumne River Trust.

  • Jon Rosenfield, Ph.D.

    Senior scientist at San Francisco Baykeeper specializing in aquatic ecology, water policy, and Bay-Delta science.

  • Susan Stern

    Former President of Camp Tawonga’s Board and past TRT Board Chair with decades of leadership in environmental education and fundraising.

  • Ron Stork

    Senior Policy Advocate for Friends of the River and botanist with 20 years of service on the Trust’s board.

  • Patricia “Tricia” Sullivan

    Biologist and former PG&E Environmental Affairs leader specializing in site remediation and environmental compliance.

  • Steve Welch

    General Manager of ARTA River Trips and President of the Tuolumne River Outfitters Association with decades of river stewardship leadership.

  • Jennifer M. White, Ph.D.

    Former UC Berkeley Botanical Garden education director and science educator with deep experience in environmental learning.

  • John Woolard

    Former CEO of BrightSource Energy and nationally recognized clean energy executive and policy advisor.

  • Eric Heitz

    President of the Energy Foundation advancing clean energy nationwide and former long-serving TRT Board Chair.

  • Shanyn Avila

    Community leader in youth and family services in Stanislaus County and advocate for accessible local environmental programming.

  • Samantha Emmert

    Ocean conservation expert with leadership experience at the U.S. Government, United Nations, and Global Fishing Watch, and incoming staff at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.