Leadership Team
Our Leadership Team ensures that we create awesome school garden programs in San Luis Obispo County.
Mckenna Lenhart
Program Director
McKenna grew up in Denver, Colorado and moved to California in 2013 to attend California Lutheran University. With a major in Environmental Science and a minor in Fine Arts, McKenna graduated with the intention of learning more about what it means to live in stewardship and partnership with the natural world, and to share that experience with others.
Since moving to Morro Bay in 2016, McKenna has managed a CSA-type company, worked as a nursery and hydroponic job coach for adults with disabilities, received her permaculture design certification and grant writing certification. Each of these experiences made McKenna aware of the human to earth disconnect, and ignited an interest to help others re-create a sense of wonder in the environment. In her free time, McKenna enjoys painting and drawing, surfing, hiking, and working with cob.
Program Director
McKenna grew up in Denver, Colorado and moved to California in 2013 to attend California Lutheran University. With a major in Environmental Science and a minor in Fine Arts, McKenna graduated with the intention of learning more about what it means to live in stewardship and partnership with the natural world, and to share that experience with others.
Since moving to Morro Bay in 2016, McKenna has managed a CSA-type company, worked as a nursery and hydroponic job coach for adults with disabilities, received her permaculture design certification and grant writing certification. Each of these experiences made McKenna aware of the human to earth disconnect, and ignited an interest to help others re-create a sense of wonder in the environment. In her free time, McKenna enjoys painting and drawing, surfing, hiking, and working with cob.
Evie Kinkade
Communications Manager and Educator at Virginia Peterson Elementary School
Evie grew up in the Bay Area, where her parents made an effort to get out of the city and enjoy nature at their ranch in San Benito County. She dove into her fascination for agriculture during her time at Santa Clara University, where she apprenticed at the university garden for two years, learning the beauty of growing food. This deepened her passion for food-system justice, and after graduation she travelled to work on organic farms. Now, she is happy to be living and working in SLO County, getting her hands dirty and ensuring One Cool Earth’s message reaches the public. Outside of work, Evie loves to cook, hike, do pottery, and read.
Communications Manager and Educator at Virginia Peterson Elementary School
Evie grew up in the Bay Area, where her parents made an effort to get out of the city and enjoy nature at their ranch in San Benito County. She dove into her fascination for agriculture during her time at Santa Clara University, where she apprenticed at the university garden for two years, learning the beauty of growing food. This deepened her passion for food-system justice, and after graduation she travelled to work on organic farms. Now, she is happy to be living and working in SLO County, getting her hands dirty and ensuring One Cool Earth’s message reaches the public. Outside of work, Evie loves to cook, hike, do pottery, and read.
Anatasia Ruttschow
Development Manager
Anastasia is a Morro Bay native. A shock came during her formative years when she moved to Arizona with her family but it resulted in a new appreciation for all kinds of landscapes and climates, as well as experience working with wildlife at an exotic animal sanctuary there. Today she lives on the water, back in her hometown, but visits the desert when she can. Currently, she is pursuing a degree in Zoology so she may have a career working in conservation, with the animals she is so in awe of, and plans to continue writing grants for extraordinary causes and people who believe in being stewards of this amazing planet.
Development Manager
Anastasia is a Morro Bay native. A shock came during her formative years when she moved to Arizona with her family but it resulted in a new appreciation for all kinds of landscapes and climates, as well as experience working with wildlife at an exotic animal sanctuary there. Today she lives on the water, back in her hometown, but visits the desert when she can. Currently, she is pursuing a degree in Zoology so she may have a career working in conservation, with the animals she is so in awe of, and plans to continue writing grants for extraordinary causes and people who believe in being stewards of this amazing planet.
Natalie Perez
Program Coordinator and Educator at CL Smith and Pacheco Elementary Schools
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 more often than not found herself outside in the dirt and under a tree, with an innate affinity for nature and life of all kinds. She studied Viticulture at Cal Poly where she strongly found her calling to be a node for change in the way of 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 in harmony with the earth. Natalie believes in making play one of her priorities. Getting outside for a hike or in the water for a swim, she values the healing that comes from nature and all its wonder. She loves to garden and is hungry to learn more of all there is to know about land stewardship.
Program Coordinator and Educator at CL Smith and Pacheco Elementary Schools
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 more often than not found herself outside in the dirt and under a tree, with an innate affinity for nature and life of all kinds. She studied Viticulture at Cal Poly where she strongly found her calling to be a node for change in the way of 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 in harmony with the earth. Natalie believes in making play one of her priorities. Getting outside for a hike or in the water for a swim, she values the healing that comes from nature and all its wonder. She loves to garden and is hungry to learn more of all there is to know about land stewardship.
Brandon Sanders
Garden Maintenance Specialist
Brandon attended high school in Templeton, and graduated from Sonoma State University with a degree in Environmental Studies: Conservation and Restoration, and a minor in Biology. Doing so allowed him to reflect on and assess the impacts of the type of large-scale, conventional agriculture that he was raised around. With a desire to have a more positive impact through agriculture, he moved back to the Central Coast after graduating, and began farming vegetables to feed his community, combining prior farming experience from with his new understanding of natural systems and environmental protection. Brandon has found a home at OCE, where he can continue to put technical knowledge of infrastructure, irrigation, and growing systems to good use and further aid his community and the next generation of farmers and eaters. In addition to tending to plants, he enjoys camping, cooking, and playing percussion and drums.
Garden Maintenance Specialist
Brandon attended high school in Templeton, and graduated from Sonoma State University with a degree in Environmental Studies: Conservation and Restoration, and a minor in Biology. Doing so allowed him to reflect on and assess the impacts of the type of large-scale, conventional agriculture that he was raised around. With a desire to have a more positive impact through agriculture, he moved back to the Central Coast after graduating, and began farming vegetables to feed his community, combining prior farming experience from with his new understanding of natural systems and environmental protection. Brandon has found a home at OCE, where he can continue to put technical knowledge of infrastructure, irrigation, and growing systems to good use and further aid his community and the next generation of farmers and eaters. In addition to tending to plants, he enjoys camping, cooking, and playing percussion and drums.
Garden Education Managers
Our GEMs are qualified and excel at teaching outside while communicating nutrition and environmental concepts to our youth.
Gloria Wilson
San Benito Elementary, Creston Elementary and Paloma Creek High School
A certified permaculture designer and life-long gardener, Gloria has a deep love for the natural world. When she is not climbing trees or writing poetry, she can be found working on earthen building projects, practicing primitive skills, and farming at the rural community and education center she helped found: Loving Earth Sanctuary.
San Benito Elementary, Creston Elementary and Paloma Creek High School
A certified permaculture designer and life-long gardener, Gloria has a deep love for the natural world. When she is not climbing trees or writing poetry, she can be found working on earthen building projects, practicing primitive skills, and farming at the rural community and education center she helped found: Loving Earth Sanctuary.
Sergio Corona
Mary Buren Elementary School
Sergio grew up in Hemet California, a small Southern California town in the middle of the desert. Growing up he was surrounded by dairy farms and private ranches so his passion for nature started at an early age. After high school, he moved to attend UCLA where he earned his bachelors in geography and environmental studies. While he enjoyed his time there, four years in a big city definitely left him eager to return to his roots. He moved to San Luis Obispo in July 2020 to be closer to his long-time girlfriend and he hasn't looked back since. Now they have a beautiful 2 year old dog named Igor, three rambunctious pet rats named Loco, Lisa, and Berthold and he is preparing to pursue a masters degree in agriculture education at Cal Poly. All of these experiences have served to deepen his love for the natural world and the connectivity that is inherent to ecology. As an educator, he hopes to help people see the ways that we are all interconnected and to encourage people to live more empathetically and harmoniously with nature.
Mary Buren Elementary School
Sergio grew up in Hemet California, a small Southern California town in the middle of the desert. Growing up he was surrounded by dairy farms and private ranches so his passion for nature started at an early age. After high school, he moved to attend UCLA where he earned his bachelors in geography and environmental studies. While he enjoyed his time there, four years in a big city definitely left him eager to return to his roots. He moved to San Luis Obispo in July 2020 to be closer to his long-time girlfriend and he hasn't looked back since. Now they have a beautiful 2 year old dog named Igor, three rambunctious pet rats named Loco, Lisa, and Berthold and he is preparing to pursue a masters degree in agriculture education at Cal Poly. All of these experiences have served to deepen his love for the natural world and the connectivity that is inherent to ecology. As an educator, he hopes to help people see the ways that we are all interconnected and to encourage people to live more empathetically and harmoniously with nature.
Christopher Apple
Santa Rosa Academic Academy, Atascadero Middle School, Liberty High 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 then taught science and engineering at a local high school and now tutors and 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.
Santa Rosa Academic Academy, Atascadero Middle School, Liberty High 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 then taught science and engineering at a local high school and now tutors and 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.
Celeste Geary
Winifred Pifer, Bauer Speck, and Georgia Brown Elementary Schools
Celeste has been fortunate enough to grow up on the Central Coast in homes where she had the opportunity to spend ample time outdoors. She loves gardening, cooking, yoga and a multitude of outdoor activities like cycling, paddleboarding and hiking. Her love for the earth led to her pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sustainability studies at UC Riverside. Through her education, she more fully realized the interwoven nature of environmental and social justice. Celeste believes education and connection with the natural world are the most powerful forces for building healthy communities. It is imperative all children get the opportunity to experience a flourishing garden. She looks forward to being a facilitator of environmental knowledge in her hometown.
Winifred Pifer, Bauer Speck, and Georgia Brown Elementary Schools
Celeste has been fortunate enough to grow up on the Central Coast in homes where she had the opportunity to spend ample time outdoors. She loves gardening, cooking, yoga and a multitude of outdoor activities like cycling, paddleboarding and hiking. Her love for the earth led to her pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sustainability studies at UC Riverside. Through her education, she more fully realized the interwoven nature of environmental and social justice. Celeste believes education and connection with the natural world are the most powerful forces for building healthy communities. It is imperative all children get the opportunity to experience a flourishing garden. She looks forward to being a facilitator of environmental knowledge in her hometown.
Josh Sharon
Monterey Road Elementary
Josh has a background introducing higher education facility directors to energy management and sustainability information systems. Previously working as a solar consultant, he helped many residential homeowners switch to rooftop power generation. His first homegrown vegetable, a green onion, was all it took and Josh was hooked on food from the Earth! Learning and growing up in the Bay Area, in Marin County, “Strawberries, chard from the yard, artichokes, squash, and pumpkins grew in our backyard garden”, says Josh, “The joy and reward of growing our own food had an impact.” Josh believes gardening, and baseball, can both be great teachers of life; some seasons are better than others and we try to grow a little bit every day!
Monterey Road Elementary
Josh has a background introducing higher education facility directors to energy management and sustainability information systems. Previously working as a solar consultant, he helped many residential homeowners switch to rooftop power generation. His first homegrown vegetable, a green onion, was all it took and Josh was hooked on food from the Earth! Learning and growing up in the Bay Area, in Marin County, “Strawberries, chard from the yard, artichokes, squash, and pumpkins grew in our backyard garden”, says Josh, “The joy and reward of growing our own food had an impact.” Josh believes gardening, and baseball, can both be great teachers of life; some seasons are better than others and we try to grow a little bit every day!
Maddie Schechter
Pat Butler and Kermit King Elementary Schools
Madeline grew up in Templeton, California. From a young age she loved to spend time outdoors in nature. Due to her love for the Central Coast and our beautiful earth, she went to California Polytechnic State University in SLO, 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 that helps reduce the impact we have on our planet. 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. Madeline feels many people these days are disconnected from nature. This is why her goal is to work with the younger generations to help them create a relationship with the natural world and learn ways they can help reduce their impact on it. In her free time she enjoys hiking in the great outdoors, yoga, and cooking up yummy meals with fresh, local ingredients.
Pat Butler and Kermit King Elementary Schools
Madeline grew up in Templeton, California. From a young age she loved to spend time outdoors in nature. Due to her love for the Central Coast and our beautiful earth, she went to California Polytechnic State University in SLO, 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 that helps reduce the impact we have on our planet. 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. Madeline feels many people these days are disconnected from nature. This is why her goal is to work with the younger generations to help them create a relationship with the natural world and learn ways they can help reduce their impact on it. In her free time she enjoys hiking in the great outdoors, yoga, and cooking up yummy meals with fresh, local ingredients.
Valen Lambert
Cambria Grammar School and Carissa Plains
Playing outdoors with the earth as a kid provided Valen with her most deeply valued experiences and shaped a special connection with the natural world. As an adult she's still playing with the earth, having worked on farms and tending to her own garden, and now fostering that connection in kids! Nature is so abundant (and tasty!) and she's so excited to teach students the rewarding self-reliance of growing their own food. When she's not outside hiking, biking, enjoying the sunshine, she's remotely studying English at Humboldt State University and making art.
Cambria Grammar School and Carissa Plains
Playing outdoors with the earth as a kid provided Valen with her most deeply valued experiences and shaped a special connection with the natural world. As an adult she's still playing with the earth, having worked on farms and tending to her own garden, and now fostering that connection in kids! Nature is so abundant (and tasty!) and she's so excited to teach students the rewarding self-reliance of growing their own food. When she's not outside hiking, biking, enjoying the sunshine, she's remotely studying English at Humboldt State University and making art.
Board of Directors
These outstanding individuals dedicate their time, talent and resources to further our goal of supporting thriving, educational gardens throughout the County. Sometimes referred to as "our Trellis", these members help to support our mission as we grow.
Maria Kelly
President
Maria has applied her collaboration and networking skills to all aspects of education, corporate branding, government affairs and community relations. She has been responsible for building capacity through community engagement, promoting sustainability and strengthening strategic relationships for both public and private organizations. Building community and solving problems are core to her approach. Maria holds an MS in management and leadership from Pepperdine University, a certification in paralegal studies from Cal Poly SLO and a BS from Oregon State University. Her passion for community keeps her focus on improving communications among stakeholders and work to highlight how an industry can serve a community.
President
Maria has applied her collaboration and networking skills to all aspects of education, corporate branding, government affairs and community relations. She has been responsible for building capacity through community engagement, promoting sustainability and strengthening strategic relationships for both public and private organizations. Building community and solving problems are core to her approach. Maria holds an MS in management and leadership from Pepperdine University, a certification in paralegal studies from Cal Poly SLO and a BS from Oregon State University. Her passion for community keeps her focus on improving communications among stakeholders and work to highlight how an industry can serve a community.
Mark Monday
Board Member, Master Gardener
A seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in building businesses in high tech companies like Cisco Systems and Avaya. With a focus on communications and networking industries Mark is a customer-focused leader with a keen ability to develop go-to-market strategies and to drive an execution-focused culture. 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 just completed the certification for Master Gardener in June 2020 and is an avid home gardener as well. In addition, he also 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.
Mark holds a Bachelor of science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and a Bachelor of science degree in Wildlife Management from the Ohio State University.
Board Member, Master Gardener
A seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in building businesses in high tech companies like Cisco Systems and Avaya. With a focus on communications and networking industries Mark is a customer-focused leader with a keen ability to develop go-to-market strategies and to drive an execution-focused culture. 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 just completed the certification for Master Gardener in June 2020 and is an avid home gardener as well. In addition, he also 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.
Mark holds a Bachelor of science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and a Bachelor of science degree in Wildlife Management from the Ohio State University.
Shawna Whitfield, M.A.
Board Member, School & Curriculum Representative
Shawna Whitfield currently teaches sixth grade at Lucia Mar's Ocean View Elementary in Arroyo Grande, CA, and is passionate about creating authentic, rigorous, and flexible learning opportunities for all students. Three years of collaboration with One Cool Earth has inspired and informed many instructional modules for teachers and students, and she looks forward to every collaborative conversation. Awarded site Teacher of the Year in 2015, she attributes this honor to being a part of a diverse and empowering network of professional and community educators. Ms. Whitfield received her M.A. from Cal Poly in 2017 in Educational Leadership and Administration and lives with her husband and two children in Arroyo Grande.
Board Member, School & Curriculum Representative
Shawna Whitfield currently teaches sixth grade at Lucia Mar's Ocean View Elementary in Arroyo Grande, CA, and is passionate about creating authentic, rigorous, and flexible learning opportunities for all students. Three years of collaboration with One Cool Earth has inspired and informed many instructional modules for teachers and students, and she looks forward to every collaborative conversation. Awarded site Teacher of the Year in 2015, she attributes this honor to being a part of a diverse and empowering network of professional and community educators. Ms. Whitfield received her M.A. from Cal Poly in 2017 in Educational Leadership and Administration and lives with her husband and two children in Arroyo Grande.
Lionel Dennis Johnson
Founder
Lionel’s background in project management as a ironworker’s foreman. Since his retirement 20 years ago, Lionel has volunteered countless hours and materials to promote native trees. Lionel co-founded One Cool Earth with Chris and Sue Elliott to increase environmental education and protection in the county.
Founder
Lionel’s background in project management as a ironworker’s foreman. Since his retirement 20 years ago, Lionel has volunteered countless hours and materials to promote native trees. Lionel co-founded One Cool Earth with Chris and Sue Elliott to increase environmental education and protection in the county.