Andrew oversees programming and operations for the Institute. He is a past Director with the Orfalea Foundations and Montana Yellowstone Expeditions, and a course director and program manager for Outward Bound. Mr. Leider holds a Somatic Coaching certification from the Strozzi Institute.

Laura Young is a Texas native who completed her BS in Biology from UT Austin, where she conducted research on mate preference and gene flow in tropical butterflies. She then joined the Animal Behavior program at UC Davis, and finished her MSc in 2008 studying antipredator behavior of California ground squirrels.

Melissa has led social solutions through startup ventures, improved business systems for leading international companies, and launched successful initiatives for nonprofit organizations.

Nickie has a diverse background in the sustainable tourism field, environmental nonprofit sector, and technology industry. She has been responsible for marketing and partnership programs for technology firms, an eco-lodge, conservation foundation, and environmental policy organization in Latin America and the United States.

Prior to the Institute, Paula's background has been primarily in the public policy arena, with positions at the California State Legislature, the 9th Circuit of U.S. Courts, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and the Presidio Trust of San Francisco. She has a B.S.

Chelsea is the manager of the Redwood Creek Nursery, and has been working in nurseries her entire career. She has a degree in Plant Science from UC Santa Cruz and started her profession in the nursery at the UCSC Arboretum where the nursery bug first bit.

Steve Haller is the park
historian and branch chief for cultural resources. He helps coordinate
the historic preservation
work of NPS historians, archeologists, historical architects and
landscape architects to protect the historic resources of the park. His
research interests lie in the field of military history and seacoast

Betty has been involved in growing native plants for habitat restoration across the parks.

Claire Mooney, Project Coordinator for the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, has worked in the field of ecological restoration and design for 15 years.

Alex has been working with volunteers in the Golden Gate National Parks for five years. His passion for native plant restoration, introducing people to nature, and telling elaborate stories makes for eventful Saturday afternoons at the San Francisco Park Stewardship drop-in programs.