Office holiday closure

Our office will be closed December 23-January 3. Open space preserves remain open!

A group of about 40 people standing in a pumpkin patch and smiling at the camera under a large banner that says "WELCOME"

Our Team

Open Space Authority staff are passionate about conservation and driven to make an impact in the community through their work. Everyone brings a unique skillset to their role, and the creative collaboration of all staff maximizes talent to realize the agency’s mission. The staff is categorized into seven departments.

Executive Leadership Team

Andrea Mackenzie

She/Her
General Manager

Lea Rauscher

She/Her
Assistant General Manager

Marc Landgraf

He/Him
Assistant General Manager

Joelle Garretson

She/Her
Executive Assistant

Management & Strategy Team

The Management & Strategy Team (MST) provides leadership and complex strategic planning to staff in support of the Open Space Authority’s mission and goals, overseeing all functions and activities of agency departments, programs, projects and initiatives. Reach the department at info@openspaceauthority.org.

Aaron Hébert

He/Him
Natural Resources Manager

Derek Neumann

He/Him
Field Operations Manager

Elizabeth Loretto

She/Her
Administrative Operations Manager

Lucas Shellhammer

Planning, Design & Construction Manager

Megan Dreger

She/Her
Conservation & Strategic Partnerships Manager

Nick Perry

Long-Range Planning Manager / Coyote Valley Project Director

Administrative Operations

The Administrative Operations Department (ADM) is responsible for the management and oversight of necessary operational services for the optimal functioning of the agency. The department takes a leadership role in achieving organization-wide operational efficiencies through cross-departmental collaboration and continuous improvement, ensuring stability and sustainability for the agency.

Aline Harris

She/Her
Human Resources Coordinator

Caroline Hernandez

She/Her
Clerk of the Board

Ivy Rylander

She/Her
Office and Facilities Coordinator

Jigna Shah

She/Her
Staff Accountant

Justina Tien

She/Her
Fiscal Services Officer

Vincent Tran

He/Him
IT Technician

Communications and Media

The Communications and Media Department (COM) strategically develops the media channels that help connect people to nature, builds awareness about the Open Space Authority and informs the public about the agency’s accomplishments and the value nature brings to their lives.

Annamarie Pilon

Multimedia Communications Specialist

Avery Cruz

Communications Coordinator

Charlotte Graham

she/her
Public Information Officer

Conservation & Strategic Partnerships

The Conservation & Strategic Partnerships Department (CSP) leads conservation strategies to achieve the agency’s conservation and community investment goals. This includes conservation planning to protect key lands, engaging partners for coordinated strategies and participating in legislative and policy affairs. It also involves grant programs which provide funding to nonprofits, schools and public agencies throughout the agency’s jurisdiction.

Isabella Kressman

Real Property Coordinator

Jackie Latham

Grants Program Coordinator

Lena Eyen

Community Impact & Policy Specialist

Linda Kwong

Deputy Conservation Manager

Monica Nañez

External Funding Coordinator

Field Operations

The Field Operations Department (FLD) oversees the daily operation, management and stewardship of Open Space Authority lands and public access facilities. Responsibilities include trail and preserve maintenance, resource management, site monitoring, habitat enhancement and reporting for contract land management. The Volunteer and Educational teams create and deliver nature- and science-based education experiences and coordinate volunteers to support field operations and agency-wide programs.

Abel Castillo

Open Space Technician I

Amit Tartakovsky

Open Space Aide

Amrita Singh

Open Space Aide

Andres Campusano

Supervising Open Space Technician

Andy Burnside

Lead Open Space Technician

Annie Ahmed

Open Space Aide

Antonio Sanchez

Open Space Aide

Casey Singleton

Open Space Aide

Cliff Irrebaria

Lead Open Space Technician

Daniel Turner

Open Space Technician II

David Tharp

Equipment Mechanic Operator

Gavin Comstock

Volunteer Program Administrator

Greg Rosselli

Open Space Technician II

Hanford Kwong

Open Space Technician I

Jackson Large

Open Space Aide

Jessica Guenther

Open Space Aide

Kat Hill

Volunteer Program Coordinator

Lucy Marquez

Open Space Aide

Megan Robinson

Supervising Open Space Technician

Mel Sarmento

Educational Program Coordinator

Patrick Stevenson

Lead Open Space Technician

Ron Valenzuela

Open Space Technician I

Rowan O'Brien

Open Space Technician I

Ryan Rosenbaum

Open Space Aide

Stephen Woodson

Lead Open Space Technician

Teri Rogoway

Educational Program Administrator

Long-Range Planning

The Long-Range Planning Department leads the creation of plans and planning policies that serve as the guiding vision for use and stewardship of Open Space Authority lands. This includes master plans for open space preserves and other properties, long-term strategies and collaboration with regional partners on relevant projects.

Jennifer Peth

Associate Open Space Planner

Natural Resources

The Natural Resources Department (NRS) monitors, stewards and restores the natural resources and ecosystems that support healthy and resilient landscapes. NRS leverages nature as infrastructure to support ecosystems, address climate change and restore processes like groundwater recharge and flood control. Responsibilities include pest management, surveys, permitting, restoration and agricultural activities like conservation grazing and farming. The department partners with farmers, grazers, scientists, land managers and other experts to help deliver the agency’s mission.

Anna Regalado

Agricultural Specialist

David Mauk

Natural Resources Technician II

Rachel Clemons

Watershed Restoration Specialist

Planning, Design and Construction

The Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) Department leads major projects to provide functional, safe and ecologically sensitive preserve facilities, supporting land stewardship and the agency mission. This includes maintaining the agency’s geographic information system (GIS) to manage lands and assets for capital planning and operations.

Anna McGarrigle

GIS Administrator

Join our team!

Visit our Employment Opportunities page to explore current job openings or sign up to be notified of opportunities.