Save Mount Diablo is staffed by a small, hard-working team who are passionate about conservation and the outdoors. Learn more about our board of directors, leadership, and staff below.
For information about opportunities with Save Mount Diablo, please head to our careers page. We’re also always looking for volunteers!
Leadership
Ted has been studying and working in the conservation field for almost 40 years. He was an environmental studies major at the University of Vermont, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree, and he later received his Juris Doctor degree from Vermont Law School where he focused on land conservation law. Early on, Ted worked for the Outward Bound School and then for the Peace Corps national park program in Thailand. Then for years he worked for the Vermont Land Trust, Aquidneck Land Trust in Rhode Island, and Hawaiian Islands Land Trust—the latter two which he served as an Executive Director for. He started work for Save Mount Diablo in November 2015. Ted is passionate about his family, time outdoors, and working with others to create lasting public good by protecting, and connecting people to, the land and communities that sustain us.
Seth M. Adams is Land Conservation Director for Save Mount Diablo. In 1988 he was the East Bay organization’s first staff. He focuses on advanced policy, land use, and advocacy; government relations; acquisition projects; and educational and media programs. Among his accomplishments are participation in preservation of tens of thousands of acres; creation of Urban Limit Lines; aid in development of hundreds of millions of dollars of conservation funding; the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan and the Concord Naval Weapons Station Reuse Plan; new recreational trails such as the 30-mile Diablo Trail; and reintroduction of endangered peregrine falcons to Mt. Diablo. He has been involved in many political campaigns throughout Contra Costa County and the East Bay. An avid hiker and weight lifter, he is also an amateur historian. He attended Michigan State University and the University of California – Berkeley. He lives in Martinez, California.
Sean worked as a Park Ranger for the East Bay Regional Park District for years, for their Maintenance and Skilled Trades Division, at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, at Diablo Foothills Castle Rock and for the Stewardship Department as a Water Quality Technician. There he focused on many large infrastructure projects, as well as natural, cultural, and rangeland resource management, including rare plant and animal species rehabilitation and preservation projects, the opening of new land banked properties, and acting as a steward in public education while leading large volunteer groups, in renovation projects. As an avid rock climber, and member of the Peregrine Team in Pine Canyon, American Alpine Club, and Bay Area Climbers Coalition, Sean is a very active member and steward of the Mount Diablo climbing community, where he shares information on the area as well as educates park users to another of his main focuses, the animals, plants, and geology of the area. For the past few years, he has been working as a volunteer with Sacred Rok, in assisting in raising funds, leading hikes, and outreach of the organization. As a member of the Cherokee Tribe as well as the Intertribal Friendship House, Sean has an extremely strong connection to stewardship of our wild lands and communicating the importance of communities in balance with nature. While attending the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he majored in American Studies and Philosophy, Sean solidified his desire to be an advocate for natural environments for the rest of his life. In his free time, he travels with his family in pursuit of the next alpine adventure in connecting to wild places.
Karen joined Save Mount Diablo in 2016 and was promoted to Development Director in 2019. As a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role. After several years as a law librarian, Karen transitioned from the legal publishing field to focus on her passion for nonprofit fundraising and the preservation of public spaces. Her experience includes working as a fundraiser and board member at The Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek. Karen's love for the western parklands began during her time at the University of Montana, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts. She also holds a Master’s in Library Science from St. John’s University. An avid collector of cacti and succulents, Karen lives with her husband in Danville. They frequently enjoy hiking and biking in Mount Diablo State Park.
Monica has been working at Save Mount Diablo since 2006. She currently provides leadership to the organization’s finance and administrative functions. She and her husband enjoy sharing their appreciation of nature and open space with their daughter through camping, fishing, and kayaking.
Staff
Steven dePaschalis joined Save Mount Diablo in 2025. He grew up in the Bay Area and has always had an immense passion for being in nature. In college, he studied environmental science and management and graduated with his BS degree from UC Davis. In his time there, he ran cross country and track, worked as a park ranger for the National Park Service in Glacier National Park, and conducted forestry research in one of the on-campus labs using drones. After graduating, he interned at Alameda County Water District in their water resources department. In his free time, Steven loves to read, hike, and go road biking. He is excited to protect land throughout the Diablo Range for everyone to enjoy and find inspiration in.
Juan Pablo joined the staff as the new Land Use Planner in 2013. He grew up in Benicia, but since high school has lived and worked in Costa Rica, Mexico, Washington D.C. and different parts of California. Juan Pablo has always loved animals and been interested in learning about and protecting them and the habitats they live in – even since kindergarten when he brought an octopus in for show and tell. Juan Pablo graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a B.S. in Ecology, Behavior and Evolution and a minor in Political Science. Then after working in Mexico for a year, he pursued an M.S. in Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology at the University of Maryland, College Park. Juan Pablo’s work experience ranges from bird and marine mammal researcher, environmental educator and environmental consultant on NCCP/HCP projects. He now comes to Save Mount Diablo to help protect the area that has provided him with so many great hiking and birding experiences over the years.
Shannon joined Save Mount Diablo in 2011. She supports the development team and manages events. Shannon holds a BS in business administration from St. Mary’s College and has several years of office manager expertise. Neighbor to the mountain with her family, she is a dedicated hiker embracing the peaceful escape of Diablo’s slopes and foothills.
Dana joined Save Mount Diablo in 2011. She works at the front desk handling emails, phones, and processing donations while also assisting staff with various projects and events. Dana holds a BA in Exercise Science from U.C. Davis and has many years of administrative assistant experience, having worked at both Stanford University and UC Berkeley. Dana grew up in the East Bay enjoying Mount Diablo. She loves being outside with her two children and taking her dogs for walks.
Brit joined the team as Event Coordinator in 2022, offering over a decade of event experience. Originally from Illinois, she was raised traveling the US and developed an early appreciation for the importance of state and national parks. After graduating with a human services degree and developing social impact programs in Chicago throughout most of her twenties, she followed her dream of exploring the world with a backpack for three years. Her adventures led to the self-study of environmental disasters across the globe, instilling her determination to make a positive impact on our planet. Now based in the East Bay, she has hugged countless trees through 49 states and 32 countries—including the beautiful oaks of Mount Diablo. Brit is an avid hiker, biker, backpacker, climber, free diver, yogi, and beekeeper dedicated to preserving Earth’s precious natural resources.
Samantha joined the staff in 2022. She holds a B.A. from Middlebury College, where she studied English literature and Russian language, as well as a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School, where she focused on environmental law, estate planning, and Native American law. She then served as a Skadden Fellow and offered community education and legal services to members of 11 Native American nations in urban and rural Wisconsin. Samantha grew up near Mount Diablo and credits its beautiful climb for turning her into an avid cyclist. She also loves to hike and spends as many nights as possible camping with her husband, three sons, and dog.
Morvarid Keymanesh joined Save Mount Diablo in 2023 as our Staff Accountant. She is so proud and happy to be part of the Save Mount Diablo team! She was born in Iran, and she moved to the US in 2009 with her husband. They have a daughter and a son. She has two BS degrees: one in solid-state physics that she earned in Iran, and the other in business administration with emphases in accounting and finance that she earned from California State University, East Bay. She has more than 5 years of accounting experience. Her favorite hobbies are camping, bike riding, and going out into nature with her family and friends. She loves nature and animals!
Laura Kindsvater has a passion for protecting land for native plants (especially oaks and rare plants), wildlife, and people. She sees the climate crisis as the most important challenge of our time, and conserving and restoring land and connecting people to nature as essential in addressing it. She previously worked at Save the Redwoods League as a conservation planner, at California Wilderness Coalition as an editor and graphic designer, and at TechSoup as an editor. She holds a PhD in geography from UC Davis, with specializations in biogeography, plant ecology, and GIS. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, gardening, and bike riding with her family.
Queenie started as an intern in 2021 after graduating from UC Berkeley with a BS in environmental science and BA in sustainable environmental design and joined our staff permanently in 2022. She has been passionate about environmental issues since she was a child and is excited to join the Save Mount Diablo team after having the natural beauty of Mount Diablo and the Bay Area in the background her entire life. Her interests primarily lie in freshwater ecology and habitat restoration. When she’s not searching for macroinvertebrates in local streams, she can be found practicing Wushu (contemporary Chinese martial arts), tending to her plants, and trying her hand at various arts and crafts.
Katie is our Staff Accountant & Office Administrator; she joined the staff in March of 2017. She brings more than a decade of accounting experience along with some administration experience to Save Mount Diablo. She grew up in the beautiful state of New Mexico, from there moved to Arizona, and then moved to northern California with her husband and two dogs. She loves to explore the beautiful landscapes of the Bay Area by hiking, mountain biking, and snowboarding. Katie is very passionate about preserving our natural lands and is excited to help fulfill the mission of Saving Mount Diablo.
Roxana began as an intern in 2016 and joined our staff permanently in 2017. As our Land Stewardship Manager, Roxana manages programmatic elements, events, outreach, and fieldwork within stewardship. She also maintains the mapping program for Save Mount Diablo. She attended San Francisco State and earned her B.S. in environmental studies with a concentration in natural resource management and conservation. As a student, she gained valuable experience with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and the San Francisco based nonprofit, Nature In the City. Roxana is from Bay Point and is passionate about preserving the lands she grew up with.
Linda Muders has a decade of accounting experience, plus office manager and administrative experience as well. She was born and raised in the Bay Area. She moved away to live in Chico and Butte County for 18 years with her family. She moved back to the Bay Area in 2020. She enjoys the outdoors and nature; while she lived in Chico, she hiked many trails in Bidwell Park and in Lassen. She’s a cyclist and a runner, and she’s passionate about hot yoga, which she practices four to five days a week. In addition, she travels as much as time allows and enjoys spending time with her son when he’s home on a holiday break.
Mary joined Save Mount Diablo in 2022 as an intern and joined our staff in 2023. Growing up near Mount Diablo, she developed a deep love of nature that inspired her to earn a degree in environmental studies with a minor in professional writing from UC Santa Barbara. In college, she worked for the urban forestry restoration nonprofit Your Children’s Trees and assisted a PhD candidate in examining data related to central California vernal pools. Prior to joining Save Mount Diablo, she performed an extensive research project on the effects of sea-level rise on coastal wetlands, for the startup Stormsensor, and worked as a park aide at Mount Diablo State Park. When she’s not exploring local open space, Mary enjoys making art and visiting the coast.
Kendra joined Save Mount Diablo at the start of 2024. She has a BA in environmental studies from Sonoma State University, with a concentration in conservation and restoration, and brings over eight years of environmental education experience to her role as Education & Outreach Coordinator. She worked as a Naturalist for three outdoor science schools and as a Zoo Educator for Happy Hollow Park and Zoo before taking a year off with her partner to travel and learn about homesteading on an organic farm in Hawaii. She is excited to bring her passion for resilient, sustainable communities to supporting Save Mount Diablo’s mission. Kendra is an avid hiker, dancer, and jewelry maker and is continuing her sustainable living journey through gardening and preserving food.
Haley grew up hiking and running the trails around Mount Diablo, where her love for nature and passion for conservation first took root. This connection to the land led her to UC Santa Cruz, where she earned her B.S. in Marine Biology and developed a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. Before joining Save Mount Diablo in the winter of 2020, Haley previously worked to restore watersheds through community focused programs with a nonprofit based in the South Bay Area as a Watershed Stewards Program Corpsmember. She is continually inspired by the beauty of the iconic Diablo Range and feels privileged to care for its many unique landscapes. In her free time, Haley seeks trail adventures of all sorts and appreciates a hot cuppa and a good book.
Cecilia Zefeldt came out of retirement in 2024 to join Save Mount Diablo as our Executive Assistant. Cecilia is passionate about education and conservation—she joined Save Mount Diablo to make an impact and protect the earth. Cecilia moved to California from Argentina, where she previously worked as a special education teacher. She worked for Cal State University East Bay for 18 years, becoming the Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services for University Extension at the Concord Center. During her time at CSU East Bay, she worked closely with us on the Beacon lighting ceremony for a decade. Cecilia’s hobbies include quilting, long walks in nature, travel, and playing with her grandkids.
Interns
Emily grew up in Contra Costa County enjoying local open spaces, including hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding. She fell in love with the deer and coyotes on her grandmother’s property in Lafayette, becoming an avid observer of local wildlife. In 2022, she graduated with a BFA in animation and a minor in writing from California College of the Arts. One of her most memorable classes from college was a class on environmental ethics, which encouraged her deep-seated interest in how we treat the environment. Since graduating, her love of California’s wonderful biodiversity has only grown with time, fostering a further passion for environmental protection and advocacy. In 2024, she joined the team at Save Mount Diablo as a Communications & Advocacy Intern. In this role, she hopes to bring attention to meaningful solutions that are available for combatting biodiversity loss.
Check our careers page for new opportunities!
Board of Directors

Jim Felton
President, chairs the Executive Committee and the Board Governance & Nominating Committee, and serves on the Education Committee and Land Committee
Dr. Felton is currently a Senior Biomedical Scientist-Retired (LLNL) and was Associate Director for Cancer Prevention and Control (UC Davis Cancer Center). Dr. Felton was the Deputy Associate Director for Biology and Biotechnology at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (2001-2004). He was on staff at LLNL for 32 years in various positions. He received his AB in zoology at UC Berkeley, and his Ph.D. in molecular biology at the State University of NY, Buffalo. Since retirement, he has taught courses related to cancer for the Osher Lifetime Learning Institute (CSUEB) and been active as a steward with Save Mount Diablo. He has been a volunteer advisor at LLNL and science tutor at San Ramon Valley High School and the continuing education program at Del Amigo High School. He also with his wife, Bette, manages an award-winning winery and vineyard in Danville.

Maga Kisriev
Treasurer; serves on the Audit Committee & Finance Committee
With more than 20 years of public accounting experience, Maga has served numerous not-for-profit clients including national and international private foundations, public charities, and associations. Prior to joining his current firm, Hood & Strong, 10 years ago, Maga worked for a national accounting firm in Washington, DC, where he was in charge of the regional exempt organization tax practice. Maga also has first-hand experience working directly for a nonprofit organization, having served as a field officer for the International Red Cross during the war in Chechnya. Maga participates on the California Society of CPAs Annual Nonprofit Conference planning committee and is a frequent presenter on nonprofit tax issues. Maga earned an M.S. in accounting from East Tennessee State University and a bachelor’s in economics and business administration from Kings College.

Giselle Jurkanin
Vice President and Secretary; serves on the Land Committee and Stewardship Committee
Giselle joined Save Mount Diablo’s Board of Directors in 2019 and serves on the Land Committee and the Stewardship Committee. Prior to retiring from active practice, Giselle was a partner at Little & Saputo, a local real estate law firm, for nearly 30 years. Retirement gave her time to be more active in Save Mount Diablo as part of the watering team for restoration projects and as a crew member for Four Days Diablo. She believes it takes dedicated donors and volunteers to help the amazing staff make Save Mount Diablo successful and is grateful to have the opportunity to be both. She loves to travel and is frequently off wandering around the world.

Keith Alley
Chairs the Development Committee, serves on the Education Committee, Mary Bowerman Science & Research Committee and the Board Governance & Nominating Committee
Keith is a “prodigal” Californian, born in Palm Springs, raised in the Midwest before returning to the state later in life. He is an alumnus of the University of Illinois and served as a Professor at Case Western Reserve University and Ohio State University. He is currently an emeritus Professor of Cell Biology at the University of California, Merced where he served as a founding faculty member and in a variety of administrative roles during the initial development of the new campus. Keith was instrumental in establishing the relationship between the new campus and Yosemite National Park while serving as an advocate for the protection of the park through service on the Yosemite Association Board. As an avid hiker, Keith has relished the beauty of Mount Diablo since he and his wife, Jill, moved to Rossmoor seven years ago.

Steve Balling
Serves on the Mary Bowerman Science & Research Committee
Steve Balling grew up a stone’s throw from Fossil Hill in Walnut Creek, enjoying early life in the shadow of Mount Diablo. He earned a BS in conservation of natural resources and a PhD in aquatic entomology at UC Berkeley before working at Del Monte Foods Research Center in Walnut Creek as Director of Agricultural Research. There, he established new agricultural IPM programs to reduce the use and risk of pesticides. During his career, he served on many regional and national committees that sought to improve the environmental and social footprints of agriculture in the US. In 2016, he retired and began volunteering for Save Mount Diablo. Since then, he has led numerous hikes for our Discover Diablo and Four Days Diablo programs. He is a certified California naturalist and has participated in our BioBlitz every year since 2016. He also started working as a Mangini Ranch docent soon after our preserve opened.

John Gallagher
Chairs the Stewardship Committee; serves on the Land Committee and the Board Governance & Nominating Committee
John has been cycling, hiking, and backpacking since childhood; his first exposure to Mount Diablo was a Boy Scout trip to the long-defunct Camp Force. When John was just 14 he rode his bike from his native Berkeley to the summit of Mount Diablo and he continues this feat in our annual Mount Diablo Challenge. He can frequently be found somewhere on Mount Diablo, on foot or bike. He is one of the Beacon Boyz who coordinated the restoration of the beacon atop the summit building. A retired veterinarian, John lives in Danville with his wife, Tena. Tena and their two grown children also enjoy hiking.

Liz Harvey Roberts
Serves on the Executive Committee and the Development Committee
Liz Harvey Roberts is Director of Major Gifts for the Natural Resources Defense Council's Northwest Region. Liz has over 30 years of experience in Bay Area philanthropy, connecting her love of the outdoors with her concern for the environment. Prior work experience includes extensive fundraising at The Nature Conservancy, Mills College, and San Jose State University. Liz has served on the Board of Save Mount Diablo since 2017. Liz received her BA from Westmont College and MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. Based in Danville, she enjoys running, kayaking, hiking, and spending time with her husband, Bill, and their two dogs.

Claudia Hein
Chairs the Audit Committee and serves on the Development Committee and Education Committee
Claudia has a master’s degree in chemistry and science education from Oregon State University and a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and natural science from Muhlenberg College. She was a Chemistry Professor at Diablo Valley College beginning in 1989. As an educator, she is a strong believer in the Baba Dioum quotation, “We will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.” Claudia says, “Supporting Save Mount Diablo’s mission to protect open space and ensure wildlife corridors is paramount to helping people understand nature’s importance in our lives.” Claudia has served on the Board of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano and the Mount Diablo Audubon Society. She lives in Concord with her husband, Scott, who is also a Save Mount Diablo Board member.

Scott Hein
Chairs the Land Committee; serves on the Board Governance & Nominating Committee
Scott has a doctorate in analytical chemistry from Oregon State University and a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Indiana University. He is a founding principal of Diablo Analytical, Inc, a small technology business located in Antioch. Scott is also a naturalist, birder, hiker, and nature and conservation photographer whose images grace the pages of our publications and walls of our office. Scott was appointed by the Concord City Council to serve on the original Community Advisory Committee for the Concord Naval Weapons Station Reuse Project. He has received the Diablo Magazine Threads of Hope award for his volunteer efforts with Save Mount Diablo. He has lived in Concord since 1988 with his wife Claudia, who is also a Board member.

Jerome Holland
Serves on the Finance Committee
Jerome Holland was promoted to President at Matson Logistics in 2025. He oversees all strategic planning, corporate development, mergers and acquisitions, and business development. His accomplishments include the acquisitions of Span Alaska and Horizon Lines, Inc., and managing the construction of two new cross-dock terminals in Alaska. He joined Matson, Inc. in May 2013 as Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Development after seven years in investment banking at Raymond James and five years in corporate finance roles at two leading public shipping companies. Jerome holds a bachelor’s degree from Queen’s University and earned his Chartered Accountant (CA, CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) professional designations in 2001 and 2003, respectively.

Shirley Langlois
Serves on the Land Committee and the Education Committee
Shirley Langlois earned a BA in political science at Oberlin College and a master’s degree in city and regional planning at UC Berkeley. She completed a 33-year career at Kaiser Permanente, serving as a Manager of Medical Economics and Statistics and a Director of Competitive Intelligence. She is an avid hiker, a kayaker, a lover of the outdoors, and a long-time supporter of environmental causes. Shirley has served as a member of the Oakland Museum Women’s Board and President of the Clarewood Townhouse Association. She has volunteered as a docent at Mangini Preserve and with Save Mount Diablo’s Diablo Restoration Team.

Bob Marx
Serves on the Development Committee
We welcome Bob Marx back to our Board! Bob was a Board member from 1997–2004. Bob & his wife Joan own Summit Ranch in Alamo which is 22 ½ acres bordering Mount Diablo to the North and East. Summit Ranch is a private horse boarding facility accommodating 100 horses. Over the past 30 years, he has spent many hours every week riding horses on the trails of Mount Diablo. Bob was the recipient of Save Mount Diablo’s Mountain Star Award in 2009. Bob’s love and appreciation of Mount Diablo goes beyond words!

Doug Matthew
Chairs the Finance Committee
Doug grew up in the Northgate area of Walnut Creek, back when Ygnacio Valley Road was a two-lane road and when the area east of Oak Grove Road was ranches and walnut orchards. He and his wife, Sylvia, currently live in Walnut Creek, close to Shell Ridge Open Space. Mount Diablo has been “near and dear” to him for a long time. Doug has a BA in economics from Stanford and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He worked for four decades in the transportation and logistics field in various roles including strategic and financial planning. He became a member of Save Mount Diablo’s Finance Committee in 2018, and continues to serve in that role.

Amara Morrison
Amara has more than 25 years of experience of municipal law experience and, now, as an attorney in the private sector, enjoys working closely with mixed use, residential, commercial, industrial and hotel developers, public agencies, and individuals and community groups on everything from land use approvals and subdivisions to capital improvement projects. Amara is currently general counsel to various transportation agencies and Geologic Hazard Abatement Districts (GHADs). Amara was named “Woman of Influence” by Globe Street Real Estate in 2019. Amara was also honored as one of San Francisco Business Times’ “Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business” in 2020 and a Northern California Super Lawyer® in 2023. She is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating available. Amara currently serves as a Board member of the Bay Planning Coalition. She is also Secretary for the East Bay Chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW). Amara is an avid dressage rider and hiker and proud parent of her daughter, Islay, who attends Brandeis University.

Phil O’Loane
Serves on the Land Committee
Phil O’Loane is a former San Ramon City Councilmember and Planning Commissioner. As the Planning Commission Chair in 2010, he was the sole opponent of the city council’s efforts to break the voter-approved Urban Growth Boundary. He became a Co-Chair of the No on Measure W campaign and worked closely with Save Mount Diablo and other environmental and community groups to defeat the measure with a 72 percent no vote in November 2010. He was a Mountain Star Award winner as a result. Phil has been a key figure in San Ramon open space preservation ever since. He led the establishment of a council-appointed Open Space Advisory Committee as well as successful partnerships with key agencies to secure substantial open space preservation on San Ramon’s borders. He has been a member of the Land Committee since 2011. A native of Rochester, New York, Phil graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1980 with a degree in economics and holds a masters in hospital administration from the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health. He and his wife Rachele have two adult daughters who are avid hikers. Phil works as a Practice Leader for the Permanente Medical Group.

Robert Phelps
Chairs the Education Committee
Robert Phelps is a retired Associate Professor of History at California State University, East Bay and the former Executive Director of Cal State East Bay’s branch campus in Concord. The author of numerous articles on the history of California and the American West, Phelps has also worked extensively in the realm of public history, serving as an interpretive advisor and content editor for a number of historical museums, including the Oakland Museum of California. As campus Executive Director, he worked extensively to preserve the Galindo Creek section of university property. Phelps holds an MA and Ph.D. in US history from the University of California, Riverside and a BA in History from San Diego State University. Born and raised in San Diego, he is a member of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians of California and a former tribal vice chairman. He lives in the North Bay region with his son Aaron.

Malcolm Sproul
Chairs the Mary Bowerman Science & Research Committee; serves on the Land Committee
Malcolm received his BA and MLS in Environmental Planning, from UC Berkeley, and then worked for the Marin County Planning Dept. for four years. In 1979, he joined LSA Associates and is now a principal in natural resources management and environmental planning, managing their Point Richmond office. An avid outdoorsman, Malcolm feels that Mount Diablo is a wonderful visual resource and that the open space we are protecting is not just for people, but is essential to the protection and stability of the greatest possible diversity of biological resources in the central California region. Malcolm and his wife Casey live in Moraga. In 2020, Malcolm was was awarded Save Mount Diablo’s Mountain Saver Award.

Achilleus Tiu
Serves on the Education Committee
Achilleus Tiu teaches science at Pittsburg High School. Many of his students have participated in Save Mount Diablo’s Conservation Collaboration Agreement program.
Advisory Council
Save Mount Diablo’s all-volunteer Advisory Council consists of distinguished individuals who are willing to contribute their expertise, guidance, connections, and support to further the organization’s land conservation mission. The organization’s Board of Directors and staff benefit from the knowledge and expertise of Advisory Council members. Advisors also act as ambassadors for Save Mount Diablo helping the organization positively connect with strategic peoples and communities.

Stewart Beatty
Stewart Beatty is the Head Chef at Postino, where he specializes in creating farm-to-table dishes that highlight fresh, locally sourced ingredients. A lifelong resident of the Mount Diablo area and current Clayton resident, Stewart has a deep connection to the region and its community. He generously shares his culinary talents by providing meals for Save Mount Diablo’s Four Days Diablo and summit dinners, bringing people together to celebrate and support local land conservation efforts.

Joseph Belli
Joseph Belli has been a dedicated Save Mount Diablo donor since 2021 and is a conservation biologist and author, widely recognized as one of California’s leading experts on the Diablo Range.
His deep knowledge and passion for the region have made him an invaluable contributor to Save Mount Diablo’s mission. Joseph has participated in our BioBlitz events and Mary Bowerman Science and Research program, and served as the opening speaker for our first annual Diablo Range Convening in June 2025. In July 2025, he was also featured as a speaker for Save Mount Diablo’s Executive Director Speaker Series, sharing his insights on the unique ecology and conservation challenges of the Diablo Range.

Tom Dowd
Tom has a passion for helping organizations and individuals and transforming people's lives. He was the founder and CEO of a chemical distribution company (Dowd and Guild, Inc.); he serves on the John Muir Health Foundation Board of Directors as well as on the Advisory Board of Heritage Bank of Commerce. Tom founded Keiretsu Forum Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raised $1 million for more than 100 charities. After selling Dowd and Guild, Inc., Tom has shifted to full-time charitable work.

Robert E. Doyle
Robert E. Doyle, General Manager Emeritus, East Bay Regional Park District, worked for 47 years as a park professional at the East Bay Regional Park District in Oakland, California. Bob was a founding Board member of Save Mount Diablo, working with California State Parks to expand one of the original “Olmsted State Parks.” He was also a founding Board member of the East Bay Conservation Corps. Bob currently serves as Board member and Advocacy Co-Chair of the Washington, DC–based City Parks Alliance. He has served as a Board member for the National Association of Olmsted Parks and is a member of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, where he was awarded the prestigious Cornelius Pugsley Medal. In 2024, Bob joined the San Francisco–based Save the Redwoods League Board of Councilors. Bob has received a Save Mount Diablo Mountain Star award for his good work.

Peter Frazier
Peter Frazier, a retired investment professional, has been a Save Mount Diablo supporter for over 40 years, demonstrating a strong commitment to land conservation and environmental education. As a dedicated contributor, Peter helps support programs that inspire and educate future generations about the importance of protecting the Diablo Range and its natural resources. Peter has also helped make possible other important projects for Save Mount Diablo, like the organization’s 50th anniversary oral history project with the Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley.

John Kiefer
John Kiefer is a retired systems applications specialist at Pacific Bell, inventor of the Kiefer Sustainable Chicken Coop, and a longtime supporter of Save Mount Diablo since 1975! He has remained deeply involved through leadership, advocacy, and community building. He is especially supportive of Save Mount Diablo’s environmental education programs and efforts to connect more people to nature and each other. Over the years, John has led hikes on Mount Diablo and has supported Save Mount Diablo in many ways, from hosting events at his home to funding community breakfasts and other events. His passion for trails and open space led to his service on the Lafayette Parks, Trails, and Recreation Commission (1986–1994), where he worked hands-on to maintain trails, collaborated with landowners to create public access, and later served as the city’s field representative for trails. In recognition of his contributions, the John Kiefer Trail was dedicated in his honor in 2014.

Beverly Lane
Beverly Lane has been a dedicated Save Mount Diablo supporter since 1988 and is a respected local historian, published author, and curator of the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. She helped found the Contra Costa History Alliance and the Tri-Valley History Council, fostering the preservation of regional history. Beverly served as Mayor of Danville and represented central Contra Costa County as a Director for the East Bay Regional Park District from 1994 to 2022. She is also an active member of the Anza Trail Foundation, which promotes the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, and Friends of San Ramon Creek, reflecting her lifelong commitment to conservation, history, and community.

Doug McConnell
Doug McConnell is a long-time Save Mount Diablo supporter and renowned television host and storyteller with a passion for exploring and protecting the natural world. He hosted NBC Bay Area’s OpenRoad with Doug McConnell beginning in 2009 and served as host and editor of the beloved series Bay Area Backroads from 1993 to 2008. Doug is the founder of Convergence Media Productions, creating content that highlights conservation and outdoor adventure. In addition to his media work, he serves as an Advisory Board member for San Francisco Baykeeper, advocating for the protection and preservation of the Bay Area’s natural resources. Doug has received a Save Mount Diablo Mountain Star Award for this good work.

Jeff Stone
Jeff Stone is the CEO of Diamond Construction and co-founder of Enkasa Homes, bringing extensive expertise in environmentally sensitive building and development to his work. A dedicated supporter of land conservation, Jeff served as a Save Mount Diablo Board member (2016–2025). He continues to contribute his leadership, expertise, and passion to support Save Mount Diablo’s land conservation work.

Jeanne Thomas
Jeanne Thomas has been a Save Mount Diablo donor since 1989 and is a proud member of the Diablo Legacy Circle. A retired employee of Kaiser Industries, Jeanne has been a steadfast supporter of Save Mount Diablo for decades, serving on the Development Committee from 2006 to 2014. She has played a vital role in supporting events, acting as a liaison to the Rossmoor retirement community, and was honored with the Mountain Star Award for her dedication. An avid nature enthusiast, Jeanne has spent countless hours hiking Mount Diablo and photographing its wildflowers, reflecting her deep love for the land she helps protect.