Leadership Team
Victoria Carranza
Interim Executive Director
Victoria earned a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management specializing in Community Planning & Sustainable Environments from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. She was the former Education Director of One Cool Earth and is honored to be working with the One Cool Earth team and its greater community again. Victoria is growing a family with her husband and two daughters in North County. She also has her own business focusing on support for preconception to postpartum clients as well as family strengthening through nature and environmental education called The Gardening Doula.
Interim Executive Director
Victoria earned a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management specializing in Community Planning & Sustainable Environments from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. She was the former Education Director of One Cool Earth and is honored to be working with the One Cool Earth team and its greater community again. Victoria is growing a family with her husband and two daughters in North County. She also has her own business focusing on support for preconception to postpartum clients as well as family strengthening through nature and environmental education called The Gardening Doula.
Mckenna Lenhart
Program Manager
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 Manager
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
Community Engagement Coordinator
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 an urban 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.
Community Engagement Coordinator
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 an urban 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
Grant Writer
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.
Grant Writer
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.
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
Natalie Perez
Pacheco Elementary, ECHO Shelter, and CL Smith Elementary
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.
Pacheco Elementary, ECHO Shelter, and CL Smith Elementary
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.
Gloria Wilson
San Benito Elementary and Atascadero Continuation 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 and Atascadero Continuation 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.
Teresa “Tree” Lees
Los Ranchos Elementary
Teresa has firsthand experience in permaculture, classroom teaching, Garden Based Learning (GBL) in school gardens and nature based education. Teresa, aka “Tree” connected kids to nature in the Laureate School garden where she was the Life Lab teacher for three years. She served with San Luis Obispo Master Gardeners for ten years, and has been both a classroom teacher and a Naturalist for outdoor schools. Teresa spent a decade as the Children’s Education Coordinator at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden where she created interpretive garden areas and kids’ programs. She also is a Garden Nutrition Educator with the UCCE CalFresh program.
Los Ranchos Elementary
Teresa has firsthand experience in permaculture, classroom teaching, Garden Based Learning (GBL) in school gardens and nature based education. Teresa, aka “Tree” connected kids to nature in the Laureate School garden where she was the Life Lab teacher for three years. She served with San Luis Obispo Master Gardeners for ten years, and has been both a classroom teacher and a Naturalist for outdoor schools. Teresa spent a decade as the Children’s Education Coordinator at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden where she created interpretive garden areas and kids’ programs. She also is a Garden Nutrition Educator with the UCCE CalFresh program.
Guadalupe Ramirez
Mary Buren Elementary
Guadalupe was born in Santa Maria and raised in Guadalupe. Being raised in Guadalupe made me have a connection to the environment and local crop farms at a very young age. She believes other kids should also have that connection to the environment and learn where their food comes from and how it was grown. Lupe plans on graduating from Cal Poly SLO with a degree in Agriculture Science and work locally once she graduates. In her free time, I enjoy stopping by her Guadalupe beach and admire the ocean, at times she has seen whales and dolphins. She also enjoys hiking locally, meeting new people, traveling and being familiar with their local traditions and foods.
Mary Buren Elementary
Guadalupe was born in Santa Maria and raised in Guadalupe. Being raised in Guadalupe made me have a connection to the environment and local crop farms at a very young age. She believes other kids should also have that connection to the environment and learn where their food comes from and how it was grown. Lupe plans on graduating from Cal Poly SLO with a degree in Agriculture Science and work locally once she graduates. In her free time, I enjoy stopping by her Guadalupe beach and admire the ocean, at times she has seen whales and dolphins. She also enjoys hiking locally, meeting new people, traveling and being familiar with their local traditions and foods.
Mary Barnhill
Oceano Elementary & Shell Beach Elementary
Born and raised in Southern California, Mary grew up gardening in the west San Fernando Valley where, sadly, walnut and citrus orchards were giving way to suburban housing. With a degree in “Art” from California State University, Northridge, her first career was as a graphic designer. Tired of staring at a computer screen, Mary returned to school to receive her Certificate in Gardening and Horticulture from UCLA Extension and then embarked on a 20-year career as a Landscape Designer which continues today. She moved to the Central Coast ten years ago and loves living in Arroyo Grande. Her passion for plants and making things come together with her love of nature printing on paper and in clay.
Oceano Elementary & Shell Beach Elementary
Born and raised in Southern California, Mary grew up gardening in the west San Fernando Valley where, sadly, walnut and citrus orchards were giving way to suburban housing. With a degree in “Art” from California State University, Northridge, her first career was as a graphic designer. Tired of staring at a computer screen, Mary returned to school to receive her Certificate in Gardening and Horticulture from UCLA Extension and then embarked on a 20-year career as a Landscape Designer which continues today. She moved to the Central Coast ten years ago and loves living in Arroyo Grande. Her passion for plants and making things come together with her love of nature printing on paper and in clay.
Katie Germond
San Gabriel Elementary and Monterey Road Elementary
San Gabriel Elementary and Monterey Road Elementary
Rowan Maze-Conway
Santa Margarita Elementary and Cambria Grammar School
From a young age, I had lots of rich experiences outdoors and in the garden. Some of my favorite memories from my childhood were in my grandma's garden in Santa Cruz, helping her harvest produce to cook and going to gardening camps in the summer. I loved the idea of being able to cook with fresh produce from the garden and make yummy food! I love being able to share my joy for gardening and cooking with other children and students and help them connect to the world around them right from their own school garden!
Santa Margarita Elementary and Cambria Grammar School
From a young age, I had lots of rich experiences outdoors and in the garden. Some of my favorite memories from my childhood were in my grandma's garden in Santa Cruz, helping her harvest produce to cook and going to gardening camps in the summer. I loved the idea of being able to cook with fresh produce from the garden and make yummy food! I love being able to share my joy for gardening and cooking with other children and students and help them connect to the world around them right from their own school garden!
Natalie Schwebel
Santa Margarita Elementary
Natalie grew up exploring the central coast and collecting roly polies in soil-filled shoeboxes. She worked on farms and at farmers’ markets for years learning the value of fresh local food. Natalie studied Spanish & German for years and immensely appreciates learning about languages & cultures. She’s worked as a preschool teacher at an outdoor garden school, and as an outdoor educator at Camp KEEP and has found the importance of expanding the classroom into nature. Hands-on experience & asking questions about your surroundings is so important, especially at a young age. Natalie is so excited to be out in the garden with One Cool Earth to learn more and grow along with the plants!
Santa Margarita Elementary
Natalie grew up exploring the central coast and collecting roly polies in soil-filled shoeboxes. She worked on farms and at farmers’ markets for years learning the value of fresh local food. Natalie studied Spanish & German for years and immensely appreciates learning about languages & cultures. She’s worked as a preschool teacher at an outdoor garden school, and as an outdoor educator at Camp KEEP and has found the importance of expanding the classroom into nature. Hands-on experience & asking questions about your surroundings is so important, especially at a young age. Natalie is so excited to be out in the garden with One Cool Earth to learn more and grow along with the plants!
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.
Chris Elliott
Founder & Board Chairman
With formal training in art and business, Chris is a natural entrepreneur and has founded and managed several successful companies. Chris brings creativity and a strong business mind to the OCE team. Cleveland, Ohio 1969, the Cuyahoga River erupted in flames. 1971, I moved from my parent’s nice house in the suburbs to live above the river, across from the steel mills. The river and air were still an open sewer. At first I was angry, at everyone. Eventually I came to understand. Close to the mills were the poor trying to survive and forget where they lived. In the suburbs, they viewed the river fouling as the price of progress. Each had a position and a set of solid facts to support it. I couldn’t pick a side, didn’t know what to do, so I moved away. Today after many ventures, I’m not so much an environmentalist as a realist. In the end, debating the facts doesn’t matter because you can’t move far enough away…
Founder & Board Chairman
With formal training in art and business, Chris is a natural entrepreneur and has founded and managed several successful companies. Chris brings creativity and a strong business mind to the OCE team. Cleveland, Ohio 1969, the Cuyahoga River erupted in flames. 1971, I moved from my parent’s nice house in the suburbs to live above the river, across from the steel mills. The river and air were still an open sewer. At first I was angry, at everyone. Eventually I came to understand. Close to the mills were the poor trying to survive and forget where they lived. In the suburbs, they viewed the river fouling as the price of progress. Each had a position and a set of solid facts to support it. I couldn’t pick a side, didn’t know what to do, so I moved away. Today after many ventures, I’m not so much an environmentalist as a realist. In the end, debating the facts doesn’t matter because you can’t move far enough away…
Maria Kelly
President
In early 2017, I joined the JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery team in their newly created position, Director of Community Affairs. With this role, I have been responsible for the development and implementation of strategies that foster a sustainable partnership with the community and align with JUSTIN’s philanthropic and business values. Most of my efforts center in the North County of San Luis Obispo and some days in beautiful Sonoma County.
Before joining JUSTIN, I worked in the renewable energy industry as an employee of BHE Renewables LLC, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy at the Topaz Solar Farms. There, I continued to concentrate on my skills, communicating the often complex and technical aspects of an industry to a variety of audiences. In the wine industry, I have been able to use this skill, which is a unique combination of agriculture and hospitality. My passion for community keeps my focus on improving communications among stakeholders and work to highlight how an industry can serve a community.
President
In early 2017, I joined the JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery team in their newly created position, Director of Community Affairs. With this role, I have been responsible for the development and implementation of strategies that foster a sustainable partnership with the community and align with JUSTIN’s philanthropic and business values. Most of my efforts center in the North County of San Luis Obispo and some days in beautiful Sonoma County.
Before joining JUSTIN, I worked in the renewable energy industry as an employee of BHE Renewables LLC, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy at the Topaz Solar Farms. There, I continued to concentrate on my skills, communicating the often complex and technical aspects of an industry to a variety of audiences. In the wine industry, I have been able to use this skill, which is a unique combination of agriculture and hospitality. My passion for community keeps my focus on improving communications among stakeholders and work to highlight how an industry can serve a community.
Dawn Ortiz Legg
Treasurer
Dawn Ortiz-Legg has a productive career in public affairs, regulatory compliance and project management. Prior to joining Pacific Gas and Electric, Dawn supported a portfolio of utility-scale solar projects totaling 1.2 gigawatts, which is enough energy for about 400,000 homes. Dawn brings a common sense approach on complex land use and infrastructure issues using her expertise in policy, stakeholder engagement and risk management.
An active community volunteer, currently Dawn is the 3rd District Planning Commissioner for SLO County and currently serves the SLO International Film Festival and the Mechanics Bank Customer Advisory Board. For decades she has helped her Father’s non-profit I Care International, bringing corrective eye care to underserved communities in Latin America.
Dawn holds a BA from Pepperdine University, and a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
Treasurer
Dawn Ortiz-Legg has a productive career in public affairs, regulatory compliance and project management. Prior to joining Pacific Gas and Electric, Dawn supported a portfolio of utility-scale solar projects totaling 1.2 gigawatts, which is enough energy for about 400,000 homes. Dawn brings a common sense approach on complex land use and infrastructure issues using her expertise in policy, stakeholder engagement and risk management.
An active community volunteer, currently Dawn is the 3rd District Planning Commissioner for SLO County and currently serves the SLO International Film Festival and the Mechanics Bank Customer Advisory Board. For decades she has helped her Father’s non-profit I Care International, bringing corrective eye care to underserved communities in Latin America.
Dawn holds a BA from Pepperdine University, and a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
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.
Sue Elliott
Founder
Sue co-founded the nonprofit along with her husband Chris and has accounting and management skills that help keep One Cool Earth operating from day to day.
Founder
Sue co-founded the nonprofit along with her husband Chris and has accounting and management skills that help keep One Cool Earth operating from day to day.
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.