Leadership Team
Katharine Rondthaler Krieg
[email protected]
Executive Director
Katharine fell in love with sustainable food while completing her bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and Biology at UC Santa Cruz in 2010. She went on to work in garden education, organic farming and curriculum development before completing her master's in Sustainable Food Systems from Green Mountain College in 2019. Most recently, Katharine was the Organic Garden Manager at Santa Clara University where she managed a 1/2 acre production garden, oversaw food justice initiatives and taught courses on urban agriculture and sustainable food systems. She believes that school gardens are key to growing the next generation of environmental stewards. She enjoys hiking, cooking, watercolors, beekeeping and adventuring outdoors with her son.
[email protected]
Executive Director
Katharine fell in love with sustainable food while completing her bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and Biology at UC Santa Cruz in 2010. She went on to work in garden education, organic farming and curriculum development before completing her master's in Sustainable Food Systems from Green Mountain College in 2019. Most recently, Katharine was the Organic Garden Manager at Santa Clara University where she managed a 1/2 acre production garden, oversaw food justice initiatives and taught courses on urban agriculture and sustainable food systems. She believes that school gardens are key to growing the next generation of environmental stewards. She enjoys hiking, cooking, watercolors, beekeeping and adventuring outdoors with her son.
Leila Daniel
[email protected]
Director of Education, Play Grove Co-lead
Leila Daniel comes from a multicultural background and speaks four languages. She was born in Cairo, Egypt and lived there for six years. She has family in Germany, Egypt, Guatemala, Colombia, and the US. Her love of travel and learning about new cultures brought her to the education world. After getting her Master's degree, she became a bilingual elementary teacher and taught for two years in the Bay Area. She, along with her husband and their dog, moved to San Luis Obispo where she taught 2nd grade for four years. She believes garden education is vital for creating a strong community of environmental stewards. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and gardening (harvesting homegrown peaches, for example!).
Natalie Perez
[email protected]
Program Director
Natalie grew up watching her Nona and family dancing around the kitchen using fresh ingredients to whip up wholesome meals for the family to enjoy. This served as an inspiration to remain connected to her source of food and her community. She often found herself outside in the dirt or under a tree, with an innate affinity for nature and life of all kinds. She studied Viticulture at Cal Poly where she found her calling in environmental protection. Natalie is humbled by the power children possess on this planet and is so excited to hold space for them to learn sustainable ways of living. Natalie believes in making play one of her priorities. She values the healing that comes from nature and all its wonders.
[email protected]
Program Director
Natalie grew up watching her Nona and family dancing around the kitchen using fresh ingredients to whip up wholesome meals for the family to enjoy. This served as an inspiration to remain connected to her source of food and her community. She often found herself outside in the dirt or under a tree, with an innate affinity for nature and life of all kinds. She studied Viticulture at Cal Poly where she found her calling in environmental protection. Natalie is humbled by the power children possess on this planet and is so excited to hold space for them to learn sustainable ways of living. Natalie believes in making play one of her priorities. She values the healing that comes from nature and all its wonders.
McKenna Lenhart
[email protected]
Director of Communications and Operations
McKenna grew up just outside of Denver, Colorado and relocated to California in 2013 to attend California Lutheran University. After graduating with degrees in Environmental Science and Fine Arts, she moved herself up to the central coast to begin her journey with One Cool Earth as an Americorps volunteer - and never really left! Amazed by the ability to grow food and flowers YEAR ROUND she developed her love of gardening both at home and in schools. Her favorite thing about working at One Cool Earth is having the opportunity to learn about nature's incredible mysteries alongside students and teachers. It never ceases to amaze you, no matter your age! Outside of work you can find McKenna trail running in Montaña de Oro, surfing at the rock, painting and printmaking, or walking her little doggie on the beach.
[email protected]
Director of Communications and Operations
McKenna grew up just outside of Denver, Colorado and relocated to California in 2013 to attend California Lutheran University. After graduating with degrees in Environmental Science and Fine Arts, she moved herself up to the central coast to begin her journey with One Cool Earth as an Americorps volunteer - and never really left! Amazed by the ability to grow food and flowers YEAR ROUND she developed her love of gardening both at home and in schools. Her favorite thing about working at One Cool Earth is having the opportunity to learn about nature's incredible mysteries alongside students and teachers. It never ceases to amaze you, no matter your age! Outside of work you can find McKenna trail running in Montaña de Oro, surfing at the rock, painting and printmaking, or walking her little doggie on the beach.
Greg Ellis
[email protected]
Grant Manager
Over the years Greg has worked with One Cool Earth in almost every role, from Garden Educator to Executive Director. Growing up in the mountains of Wyoming with a family that hunted, foraged and grew their own fruits and vegetables, he gained an early appreciation for nature that he hopes to foster and share through outdoor classrooms. His favorite local fruit is the hachiya persimmon, his favorite fungus is the chanterelle mushroom and his favorite native salad is miner's lettuce.
[email protected]
Grant Manager
Over the years Greg has worked with One Cool Earth in almost every role, from Garden Educator to Executive Director. Growing up in the mountains of Wyoming with a family that hunted, foraged and grew their own fruits and vegetables, he gained an early appreciation for nature that he hopes to foster and share through outdoor classrooms. His favorite local fruit is the hachiya persimmon, his favorite fungus is the chanterelle mushroom and his favorite native salad is miner's lettuce.
Yarrow Wilson
[email protected]
Regional Manager, Northern SLO County
Cappy Culver Elementary School
Since childhood, Yarrow has cultivated a deep love for the animals, plants, and landscapes of California's Central Coast. After studying permaculture and earning a degree in philosophy from UC Santa Cruz, Yarrow returned home to northern SLO County to co-manage a community garden prior to joining the One Cool Earth team in 2017. Outside of One Cool Earth, Yarrow can be found writing, rock climbing, and playing basketball.
[email protected]
Regional Manager, Northern SLO County
Cappy Culver Elementary School
Since childhood, Yarrow has cultivated a deep love for the animals, plants, and landscapes of California's Central Coast. After studying permaculture and earning a degree in philosophy from UC Santa Cruz, Yarrow returned home to northern SLO County to co-manage a community garden prior to joining the One Cool Earth team in 2017. Outside of One Cool Earth, Yarrow can be found writing, rock climbing, and playing basketball.
Ariann Landaverde
[email protected] Regional Manager, SLO and South SLO County Baywood Elementary School Ariann grew up in Southern California but moved up to the Central Coast to attend Cal Poly SLO. She graduated with a degree in Environmental Management and Protection with minors in both Biology and Spanish. While at Cal Poly, Ariann had the opportunity to work with Sprout Up, a club that teaches environmental science lessons to elementary school students and ended her time with the club as President. Additionally, she served as a curriculum developer and program coordinator for Nuestra Ciencia, a research project that aims to teach microbiology topics in Spanish. Through those two organizations, Ariann discovered her passion for teaching. In her free time, Ariann enjoys spending time at the beach, painting, and hiking. |
Garden Educators
Christopher Apple
[email protected] Santa Rosa Academic Academy and Monterey Road Elementary School Christopher lives within an oak woodland in Templeton where he enjoys watching scrub jays and tree squirrels bury acorns amidst layers of leaves to store food and help future trees grow. In 2017 he earned a degree in Environmental Engineering and a minor in Gender, Race, Culture, Science, and Technology from Cal Poly. He went on to teach science and engineering at a local high school, but currently teaches outdoors to help young people connect with themselves, each other and the planet. Christopher also enjoys playing soccer, petting cats, riding bicycles, watering by hand, chopping veggies, being with others, and sitting outside. |
Madeline Schechter
[email protected]
Templeton Elementary School, Vineyard Elementary School, and Garden Maintenance Specialist
Madeline grew up in Templeton, California and chose to remain on the central coast by attending Cal Poly, where she graduated with a degree in Environmental Management and Protection and a minor in Child Development. She has always had a passion for working with kids but was torn between that and having a job in sustainability. After participating in a club called Sprout Up in college and having internships with the Guadalupe Dunes Center and the Land Conservancy in San Luis Obispo, Madeline realized she could have the best of both worlds through environmental education. Her goal is to work with younger generations to help them create a relationship with the natural world and reduce their impact on it. In her free time she enjoys hiking in the great outdoors, yoga, and cooking meals with local ingredients.
[email protected]
Templeton Elementary School, Vineyard Elementary School, and Garden Maintenance Specialist
Madeline grew up in Templeton, California and chose to remain on the central coast by attending Cal Poly, where she graduated with a degree in Environmental Management and Protection and a minor in Child Development. She has always had a passion for working with kids but was torn between that and having a job in sustainability. After participating in a club called Sprout Up in college and having internships with the Guadalupe Dunes Center and the Land Conservancy in San Luis Obispo, Madeline realized she could have the best of both worlds through environmental education. Her goal is to work with younger generations to help them create a relationship with the natural world and reduce their impact on it. In her free time she enjoys hiking in the great outdoors, yoga, and cooking meals with local ingredients.
Alyssa Checkeye
[email protected] Mary Buren Elementary and Oceano Elementary and Elementary Alyssa grew up on the central coast with the beaches, valleys and hillsides as her playground. After finishing Hancock College's Culinary program she furthered her interest in teaching and became a preschool teacher. The pandemic directed her into another path through social services, working with foster children and her community. She enjoys being in nature, working on her garden, staying active, and finding all the hidden gems along our coastline. She looks forward to teaching and growing alongside our local youth's hungry minds and busy hands within the garden. She is a mother, food connoisseur and lover of the outdoors. |
McKenna Sorenson
[email protected]
San Gabriel Elementary School, C.L. Smith Elementary School and Santa Margarita Elementary School
McKenna grew up in the Central Valley of CA but would visit the Central Coast often. Her love for exploring tide pools, chaparrals, and forests led her to become passionate about enjoying and protecting the natural world. Her desire to learn more about environmental stewardship drove her to get a degree in Agricultural and Environmental Plant Sciences at Cal Poly SLO. Her time as an organic farmer focused on regenerative agriculture has inspired her to share her passion for plants with children and she looks forward to learning more alongside them. She lives in Morro Bay with her partner and their rescued pets where she spends her free time crafting, gardening, reading, playing video games, or exploring the outdoors in hopes of finding cool bugs and CA native plants.
[email protected]
San Gabriel Elementary School, C.L. Smith Elementary School and Santa Margarita Elementary School
McKenna grew up in the Central Valley of CA but would visit the Central Coast often. Her love for exploring tide pools, chaparrals, and forests led her to become passionate about enjoying and protecting the natural world. Her desire to learn more about environmental stewardship drove her to get a degree in Agricultural and Environmental Plant Sciences at Cal Poly SLO. Her time as an organic farmer focused on regenerative agriculture has inspired her to share her passion for plants with children and she looks forward to learning more alongside them. She lives in Morro Bay with her partner and their rescued pets where she spends her free time crafting, gardening, reading, playing video games, or exploring the outdoors in hopes of finding cool bugs and CA native plants.
Marly Miller
[email protected] Play Grove Co-Lead, Sinsheimer Elementary School and Garden Maintenance Specialist Marly hails from San Francisco, California where she saw the value of outdoor education in her schools and spent hours in Golden Gate park building forts. She attended Cal Poly SLO where she was the Chapter Director of Sprout Up, an environmental education program, and graduated with a degree in Liberal Studies and a minor in Child Development. She went on to teach third grade for two years where she enjoyed raising butterflies with her class and hosting science education programs for her students. Most recently Marly was the Curriculum and Operations Coordinator with Sprout Up where she updated their environmental education curriculum for first and second grade. She loves growing wildflowers, roller skating, reading, thrift shopping, playing with her cat, and is currently learning how to surf! |
Madi Foti
[email protected] Nipomo Elementary School Madi Foti is from Seattle, Washington where she grew up exploring the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She fell in love with California while at Cal Poly SLO, earning her degree in Psychology with minors in Biology and Child Development. While at Cal Poly she served as a Peer Health Educator, promoting student health and wellness on campus. She’s excited to bring her skills to a new domain she’s extremely passionate about. Madi loves learning new things and educating others to quench their curiosity. In her free time, she birdwatches, explores beaches and hikes, goes to concerts, and is learning to play the guitar! |
Chad Boswell
[email protected] Creston/Carrisa Plains Elementary, Atascadero Middle School, Shandon Elementary School |
Jordyn Reif
[email protected] Fine Arts Academy, Monarch Grove Elementary School and Los Ranchos Elementary School Jordyn grew up on the Central Coast and has always carried a passion for nature. Throughout her childhood, Jordyn spent countless hours around livestock and in gardens. After high school, she continued to follow that passion by working at a variety of different farms along the coast, as well as taking on a long term nannying job which led her to reveal her love for children and the curiosity of the natural world that children hold. In Jordyn’s free time, she enjoys camping, traveling, hiking, and pretty much anything that happens outside! |
Rocio R.
[email protected] Lillian Larson Elementary School and Glen Speck Elementary School Rocio fell in love with nature in her college years. She was president of her community college outdoors club and joined the hiking and running club when she transferred to UC Irvine. She graduated with a dual bachelors degree in Psychology and Anthropology. This left her with a curious mind eager to explore the world. After university she learned about alternate education and worked at an outdoor science camp where she found a perfect balance of sharing knowledge and embracing mother nature. In her free time Rocio enjoys being in nature, thrifting, playing animal crossing, running, listening to music and podcasts, and looking at the stars. |
Fatima Jorge-Chavez
[email protected] Flamson Middle School, Virginia Peterson Elementary School Fatima grew up on the Central Coast going to the beach and surrounded by vineyards. She attended UC Santa Cruz, receiving a degree in Earth Sciences with a concentration in Planetary Sciences where she learned about other planets and gained more appreciation for our own! She is passionate about scientific outreach and demonstrating that there are many different ways of learning. She is excited to teach and help connect the younger generation to the world around them in the garden! In her free time, she loves caring for her plants, reading, watching movies from the early 2000s, and crocheting! |
AUSD Farm Team
Tyler Cook
[email protected]
AUSD Farm Manager
Growing up on the Central Coast, Tyler got to enjoy the outdoors and all it has to offer. He went to Cal Poly and received a degree in Environmental Engineering. During that time, he realized how satisfying it is to grow food for others and how important it is for the local community. In his free time Tyler enjoys going to the beach with his dog, surfing, and working in his own garden at home.
[email protected]
AUSD Farm Manager
Growing up on the Central Coast, Tyler got to enjoy the outdoors and all it has to offer. He went to Cal Poly and received a degree in Environmental Engineering. During that time, he realized how satisfying it is to grow food for others and how important it is for the local community. In his free time Tyler enjoys going to the beach with his dog, surfing, and working in his own garden at home.
Volunteer Garden Educator Assistants
Carly Whitaker
Board of Directors
Tony Pastore
[email protected]
Board Chair
Tony brings nearly 40 years of sustainability dedication and professional experience to serve One Cool Earth. He began planting fruit trees with his father as a child. Tony continued learning from his dad while designing and building solar energy prototypes in the early 1980s. His first business venture, Backyard Farms, was founded in 1992. Under the banner Ecologic Design, he continued to pioneer hybrid permaculture and restorative ecological landscape design and construction for a decade and half. He left his green civil engineering firm for a solar tech startup in 2010. Tony currently works in the electric energy space focusing his work on regional program design, resiliency and high tech grid edge and future grid technologies. He still loves planting trees and is thrilled to support One Cool Earth.
[email protected]
Board Chair
Tony brings nearly 40 years of sustainability dedication and professional experience to serve One Cool Earth. He began planting fruit trees with his father as a child. Tony continued learning from his dad while designing and building solar energy prototypes in the early 1980s. His first business venture, Backyard Farms, was founded in 1992. Under the banner Ecologic Design, he continued to pioneer hybrid permaculture and restorative ecological landscape design and construction for a decade and half. He left his green civil engineering firm for a solar tech startup in 2010. Tony currently works in the electric energy space focusing his work on regional program design, resiliency and high tech grid edge and future grid technologies. He still loves planting trees and is thrilled to support One Cool Earth.
Mark Monday
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Board Member, Master Gardener
Mark is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in building businesses in high tech companies like Cisco Systems and Avaya. In his current role as Vice President of Business Development at Phonism, Mark helps lead Phonism’s strategy and channels, and to find and nurture strategic partnerships. Mark holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and a B.S. in Wildlife Management from the Ohio State University. Mark completed the certification for Master Gardener in June 2020 and is an avid home gardener. In addition, he volunteers for Sunwork, a non-profit that focuses on making solar affordable for the smaller households and at the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, helping startup businesses in the very beginning of growth.
[email protected]
Board Member, Master Gardener
Mark is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in building businesses in high tech companies like Cisco Systems and Avaya. In his current role as Vice President of Business Development at Phonism, Mark helps lead Phonism’s strategy and channels, and to find and nurture strategic partnerships. Mark holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and a B.S. in Wildlife Management from the Ohio State University. Mark completed the certification for Master Gardener in June 2020 and is an avid home gardener. In addition, he volunteers for Sunwork, a non-profit that focuses on making solar affordable for the smaller households and at the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, helping startup businesses in the very beginning of growth.
Victoria Carranza
[email protected]
Board Member
Victoria earned a B.S. in Natural Resources Management specializing in Community Planning & Sustainable Environments from Cal Poly. She was the former Education Director of One Cool Earth and before that a Garden Educator herself. She is honored to be working with the One Cool Earth team and community again. Victoria and her husband are raising their two daughters in northern SLO county and often enjoy wandering the local creek bed while tracking for animals and identifying plants. She is very active in the birthwork community and runs her own business called The Gardening Doula.
[email protected]
Board Member
Victoria earned a B.S. in Natural Resources Management specializing in Community Planning & Sustainable Environments from Cal Poly. She was the former Education Director of One Cool Earth and before that a Garden Educator herself. She is honored to be working with the One Cool Earth team and community again. Victoria and her husband are raising their two daughters in northern SLO county and often enjoy wandering the local creek bed while tracking for animals and identifying plants. She is very active in the birthwork community and runs her own business called The Gardening Doula.
Sadie Rogers
[email protected]
Board Member
Sadie is a visual artist and creative entrepreneur based on the Central Coast where she was born and raised. She earned her B.S. in Agriculture Business with a minor in Viticulture at Cal Poly and has held several marketing and graphic design roles over the years where she's developed a wide network of talented friends. She is the co-founder of SLOcally Made, a seasonal collective store located in Downtown SLO, which brings together 60+ artists and makers to provide the local community a place to shop for quality, local goods during the holidays. Sadie loves to connect people to local artisans and is passionate about keeping our resources close to home. She lives in SLO with her daughter and their sweet pup Buddy and she is excited to support One Cool Earth's vision of connecting kids to their food and the earth.
[email protected]
Board Member
Sadie is a visual artist and creative entrepreneur based on the Central Coast where she was born and raised. She earned her B.S. in Agriculture Business with a minor in Viticulture at Cal Poly and has held several marketing and graphic design roles over the years where she's developed a wide network of talented friends. She is the co-founder of SLOcally Made, a seasonal collective store located in Downtown SLO, which brings together 60+ artists and makers to provide the local community a place to shop for quality, local goods during the holidays. Sadie loves to connect people to local artisans and is passionate about keeping our resources close to home. She lives in SLO with her daughter and their sweet pup Buddy and she is excited to support One Cool Earth's vision of connecting kids to their food and the earth.
Everett Kinkade Smet
[email protected]
Board Member
Evie is a former OCE Garden Educator and Leadership Team Member who is happy to continue to support the organization as a member of the board. Everett holds a B.S. of Environmental Science from Santa Clara University. She is currently working in the financial services industry by day, and teaching ceramics and leading creativity workshops by night. She spends her free time making art, tending her garden, and exploring California's wild spaces with her husband and dog. Her passion for outdoor education and supporting our local youth make her an enthusiastic supporter of One Cool Earth's mission.
[email protected]
Board Member
Evie is a former OCE Garden Educator and Leadership Team Member who is happy to continue to support the organization as a member of the board. Everett holds a B.S. of Environmental Science from Santa Clara University. She is currently working in the financial services industry by day, and teaching ceramics and leading creativity workshops by night. She spends her free time making art, tending her garden, and exploring California's wild spaces with her husband and dog. Her passion for outdoor education and supporting our local youth make her an enthusiastic supporter of One Cool Earth's mission.