Our Team
Welcome to the Sierra Institute’s team page! Our dedicated group is committed to making a positive impact on our community and environment. With diverse backgrounds in education, ecology, cultural stewardship and finance, we believe in the power of collaboration and community-driven initiatives. Meet our team members below, and feel free to reach out!
Staff
ALYSSA NELSON
Project Associate

ALYSSA NELSON
Project Associate
Alyssa Nelson joined the Sierra Institute team as the Jobs First Project Associate in the Summer of 2025. Alyssa's diverse career is driven by her passion for the intersection of people and place. Her work has taken her globally and across California. Alyssa’s background includes a B.A. from Princeton, Peace Corps service in Mali, an M.S. in Experiential Education, and a Ph.D. in Geography at UC Davis. Her career has focused on youth and community development, nonprofit management, and fostering partnerships with Indigenous and other communities, leading to her current role on the North State Jobs First team at Sierra Institute.
AMELIA PETERS
Accounting Specialist

AMELIA PETERS
Accounting Specialist
Amelia joined the Sierra Institute in the Summer of 2024. She brings with her an excitement to be involved in the organization’s work and a personal love for helping others. Amelia grew up in Sunny San Diego, where she was inspired to pursue living her best life, bringing her to the Westwood area. Her interest in community-based work and helping from behind the scenes guided her toward the non-profit work she is doing today. In her free time, Amelia likes to take her dog with her to the lake, enjoys reading a good book, and painting.
AMY HAFSRUD
Bookkeeper

AMY HAFSRUD
Bookkeeper
For the past 40 years, Amy has led outdoor education and leadership training trips throughout the U.S., including the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, and Alaska. At the Sierra Institute, she was instrumental in the development of the P-CREW Youth Corp.. In her spare time, you can find Amy hiking with her dogs, working in her garden, or spending time with her new granddaughter.
ANDREA WILSON
Executive Assistant & Office Manager

ANDREA WILSON
Executive Assistant & Office Manager
Andrea became the Sierra Institute's Office Manager & Executive Assistant in the Spring of 2021.
With deep roots in Plumas County, she brings extensive community-based experience, including roles as Branch Librarian for the Greenville Library and General Manager of the Quincy and Portola food cooperatives. She is dedicated to the unique opportunities mountain living offers and enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, reading, and exploring the area's natural beauty.
ANGELA BOLTON-TOUT
Tribal Workforce Specialist

ANGELA BOLTON-TOUT
Tribal Workforce Specialist
Angela is excited to be a part of the Sierra Institute Workforce team. She has a strong passion for developing Tribal Workforces to put the people back on the land, being the original stewards of the land. Angela is a tribal member of Berry Creek Rancheria, Tyme Maidu Indians. She is a Certified Tribal Naturalist. She studies the life cycle of plants, Restoration, Culture Burn, TEK, Reforestation, Land Management post-wildfires, and the Medicinal purposes of the plants. She has been a full-time volunteer at a local TEK restoration area for 2 years. Angela's main goal is to be a part of building a Forestry Department for her tribe. In her free time, Angela loves to be in the mountains, hiking, camping, swimming, and fishing. Just spending time with the plants is a fulfilling day for her. Angela is a mother of 3 young men and 3 beautiful grandchildren who are her world. Everything she does is for her family and 7 generations ahead. Angela is grateful today to be in this space with everyone here at Sierra Institute.
ARIANA BERNSTEIN
Fundraising and Development Specialist

ARIANA BERNSTEIN
Fundraising and Development Specialist
Ariana Bernstein joined the Sierra Institute in the spring of 2025, bringing with her nearly a decade of experience in mental health and social work. She earned her Master of Social Work in 2020 and has continuously sought opportunities to explore the outdoors, travel, and expand her understanding of the world. As the Fundraising and Development Specialist, Ariana combines her dedication to community building and advocacy with her appreciation for natural spaces. She is deeply committed to strengthening rural communities and elevating their voices. In her free time, Ariana enjoys hiking with her dog Jasper, gardening, cooking with friends, and watching sunsets.
BELLA BLEDSOE
Watershed Coordinator

BELLA BLEDSOE
Watershed Coordinator
Bella Bledsoe joined Sierra Institute as the Watershed Coordinator in May 2021. Bella grew up in the San Juan Islands of Washington state, and as a child, she searched for newts along forest trails and boated in the Salish Sea. Bella graduated with a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She also received a master's degree in Environmental Justice and Geospatial Data Sciences at the University of Michigan. In her free time, Bella enjoys taking walks, swimming, painting, and exploring the local mountains and forest.
CECILY SANCHEZ
Forest Ecologist

CECILY SANCHEZ
Forest Ecologist
Cecily joined the Sierra Institute as a Forest Ecologist in the summer of 2023. She grew up on the central coast of California and graduated from Humboldt State University with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Management. She has a professional background in rare plant botany, wildlife biology, and ecological restoration. She traveled throughout the western states, working in the private timber industry, on wildlife projects, and for the state before moving to Plumas County. An avid botanist and gardener, she has a passion for native plants and their communities. In her free time, you can find her swimming in the creek with her family.
CHELSEA AGUILERA
Communications Project Coordinator

CHELSEA AGUILERA
Communications Project Coordinator
As a Native Californian, Chelsea Aguilera has lived and worked throughout the country–from the Pacific Northwest to New York City and throughout the Midwest and Midsouth. In 2018, she moved to Grass Valley, CA, to set down roots and raise her small family in her home state. Chelsea has a degree in English and Creative Writing from Portland State University. For the past 8 years, she has been working to facilitate personal narratives as a means of encouraging human connection. Chelsea will be helping tell the story of the impact of the work of the Sierra Institute as a Communications Project Coordinator.
DANIELLE BERRY
Stewardship Project Manager

DANIELLE BERRY
Stewardship Project Manager
Danielle began working for the Sierra Institute in 2019 and is involved in both the collaborative forest stewardship and wood utilization initiatives. She received a B.S. in Biology from CSU Bakersfield and an M.S. in Environmental Policy and Management from UC Davis. Born and raised in the southern San Joaquin Valley, she spent her free time in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, where she developed a passion for the outdoors. Throughout her time working within private, public, and NGO sectors, Danielle has acquired a range of experiences and has come to recognize the importance of interdisciplinary communication in the implementation and effectiveness of environmental stewardship. As an advocate for the conservation of natural resources, she is interested in the application of environmental science to real-world environmental policy and management issues. When Danielle is not working, you will likely find her partaking in the many adventures the Sierras have to offer.
DANNY Y MANNING
Workforce Development Project Manager

DANNY Y MANNING
Workforce Development Project Manager
Danny is a California Native (Maidu) and Diné wildland fire professional with extensive experience in the field. He began his career on a hand crew, progressing to roles such as crew boss, engine boss, and leadership positions in fire prevention and education. In 2010, Danny joined the Greenville Rancheria staff, where he started a fire and fuels crew and has since assisted other tribes in establishing and training their crews. His work spans local, regional, and national efforts in tribal fire education, investigation, and prevention. Danny has contributed to all aspects of tribal fire management, including monitoring, prescribed burning, contracting, developing MOUs and agreements, and crafting traditional ecological management plans.
HANNAH POTTS
Collaborative Forestry GIS Specialist

HANNAH POTTS
Collaborative Forestry GIS Specialist
Hannah is excited to be a member of the Sierra team after joining in the Spring of 2025 as a GIS Specialist. Hannah grew up all across Nevada, and hiking, working, and travelling throughout the West has fostered a deep love of these places and the communities that inhabit them. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 2023 with a B.S. in Geography and Environmental Policy and Management and completed her M.S. in Geography at UNR in 2025, studying drone-based monitoring applications for Mohave Ground Squirrel. She is passionate about the power of collaboration and good data and has previously worked for UNR, UC Davis, and the Nevada Division of Minerals, studying everything from active volcanoes to forage kochia with GIS and UAS. In her free time, you can find Hannah out exploring in the Sierras, working on a craft project, or deep in a science fiction novel.
JACQUELINE DALTON
Workforce Development Coordinator

JACQUELINE DALTON
Workforce Development Coordinator
Jacqui joined the Sierra Institute in Spring 2022 as the Workforce Development Coordinator.
She takes pride in investing in the connection between community and environmental health and enjoys doing just that with the Sierra Institute. Jacqui has become passionate about environmental justice issues throughout her studies and professional career and aims to make a true difference within rural communities throughout California. She earned a BS from the University of Nevada, Reno, in Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Planning and an MS at the University of Denver in Environmental Policy and Management. Growing up in Vermont and moving to the Sierras in 2009, she has always loved the outdoors. You can catch her biking, hiking, snowboarding, and gardening in her free time.
JADE ELHARDT
Communications Specialist

JADE ELHARDT
Communications Specialist
A seasoned storyteller and community liaison, Jade brings a decade of experience working in the wild landscapes and rural communities of Montana and Northern California, along with a background in conservation photography. Her work focuses on wildfire mitigation, restoration, and documenting life in wildland-urban interface areas. Jade has also lived and worked in Nevada, Utah, and Oregon, giving her a deep understanding of the environmental and cultural dynamics of the American West. Passionate about advocating for Indigenous land stewardship and food sovereignty, Jade uses her skills to bring these crucial initiatives to life. When not working, she enjoys spending time in nature, making art, cooking for friends & growing California native plants at her home in Chico, CA.
JOLEA CLAPP
Accounting Specialist III

JOLEA CLAPP
Accounting Specialist III
Jolea Clapp joined the Sierra Institute as an Account Specialist III in February 2026.
Born and raised in Lassen County, she brings extensive community-based knowledge
and passion for community service strongly inform her work.
Jolea is currently pursuing two degrees and is on track to graduate in Fall 2026. Her
career is driven by a commitment to helping others and supporting impactful nonprofit
initiatives. Outside of work, Jolea enjoys spending time with her husband and five children. She
loves cheering on her kids at sporting events and taking advantage of the outdoors
through camping, swimming, boating, and other outdoor activities.
JONATHAN KUSEL
Executive Advisor

JONATHAN KUSEL
Executive Advisor
Jonathan founded the Sierra Institute in 1993 and has directed the organization ever since. He received a Ph.D. in Natural Resource Sociology and Policy from U.C. Berkeley, where he was an instructor before launching Sierra Institute. His dissertation focused on how rural northern Sierra communities changed following the departure of their wood products anchor businesses. This work, at the intersection of community and forest and watershed health, formed the basis for the Sierra Institute’s mission and approach. He also holds a master's degree in Forest Science from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Jonathan lives in Indian Valley with his wife, Amy, and two dogs, Dobby and Sadie. On the rare occasion that he’s not working to promote rural well-being or advance opportunities for his organization, you can find him hiking around the valley or coaching the varsity boys' basketball team at Greenville High School.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 x 1001; Email: jkusel@sierrainstitute.us
JUSTINE CORNWALL
Stewardship Specialist

JUSTINE CORNWALL
Stewardship Specialist
Justine joined the Sierra Institute in August 2023 as a Stewardship Specialist. Justine grew up in southwestern Idaho and looked forward to spending weekends up North in the mountains around Cascade, McCall, and Stanley. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Restoration Ecology at Utah State University. She gained an appreciation for forest restoration after working a few seasons on hand thinning crews in California, Wyoming, and Idaho, and found herself drawn to Plumas County’s unique community. In her free time, you can find Justine hiking, lounging by the creekside, or staying in with a nice meal, her cat, and a movie.
KEARA AMBLE
Natural Resource Specialist

KEARA AMBLE
Natural Resource Specialist
Keara Amble joined Sierra Institute in Spring 2025 as a Natural Resource Specialist, bringing a background in environmental planning, watershed science, and public land management. She holds a degree in Environmental Management and Protection with a minor in Sustainable Environments from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Before joining the team, Keara worked on NEPA projects with Jacobs Engineering Group and spent two field seasons as a Stream Technician with Portland State University, supporting watershed monitoring and federal land management efforts. Originally from Santa Barbara, she’s always loved the outdoors and enjoys surfing, backpacking, trail running, swimming in any and all bodies of water, collaging, and live music in her free time.
KIERSTEN DOLECKI
Rural Community Outreach Specialist

KIERSTEN DOLECKI
Rural Community Outreach Specialist
Kiersten Dolecki joined the Sierra Institute in 2024 as a Rural Community Outreach Specialist. She grew up in Northern Virginia and spent the majority of her childhood outdoors, fueling her passion for conservation. During her undergraduate studies, she focused on communication and collaboration in the natural resources field. She has a particular fondness and aptitude for plant identification and sustainability practices and is currently working towards her M.S. in Natural Resource Policy and Administration. In her free time, she likes to hike, read, and go for runs.
KYLE RODGERS
Interim Executive Director

KYLE RODGERS
Interim Executive Director
At Sierra Institute, Kyle manages our work with a growing network of collaborative groups working on forest management issues across California, and rural development efforts focused on rebuilding capacity in forest communities across California. Kyle brings a diverse background to this work that includes surveying hemlock trees and monitoring bog turtles on the Blue Ridge Parkway, studying human dimensions of endangered species conservation planning across the Southeast, and prior work at the Sierra Institute on a range of projects from watershed coordination to youth programming. When he isn’t at the office, you might find him coaching youth soccer or hiking with his wife and dog. Kyle holds a BS in Conservation Biology from Clemson University and an MS in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from the University of Tennessee.
LAUREL HICKE
Wood Utilization Project Specialist

LAUREL HICKE
Wood Utilization Project Specialist
Laurel Hicke joined the Sierra Institute in Summer 2025 as a Wood Utilization Project Specialist. She recently graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in Environmental & Urban Studies and Political Science. Laurel grew up in Northern Idaho, spending time outdoors working in conservation before moving to Chicago and developing an appreciation for the social sciences through internships in the federal government. She has also worked in various woodshops and she spent time making custom furniture and doing home restoration while in school. She loves working with her hands and combining technical skills with interpersonal connections, building community around shared projects. Laurel is excited to be back in the mountains and supporting rural forest communities through wood utilization - she can’t wait to hike, mountain bike, and swim in all the beautiful spots in Plumas County.
LAURIE RONDI
Human Resource Specialist
LAURIE RONDI
Human Resource Specialist
LISA CRUME
Finance Manager

LISA CRUME
Finance Manager
Lisa joined the Sierra Institute in the Fall of 2024, bringing decades of experience in commercial real estate and finance. Raised in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area, she spent 30 years building expertise in financial management and strategic planning. In 2020, Lisa followed her passion for the outdoors and moved to the mountains, seeking a closer connection to nature and a simpler, more intentional lifestyle. At the Sierra Institute, she applies her skills to the finance team, supporting the organization's mission and the preservation of the area's natural beauty. In her free time, Lisa enjoys kayaking, swimming, and hiking, embracing the stunning environment she now calls home.
LIZ WOLFIN
Tribal Outreach Project Specialist

LIZ WOLFIN
Tribal Outreach Project Specialist
Liz Wolfin joined the Sierra Institute in the early summer of 2024 as a Tribal Workforce Development Specialist Apprentice. However, she quickly exceeded expectations, taking on key responsibilities across multiple projects in the Pit River Ancestral Territories, with a strong focus on workforce development. Liz earned her Bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies, specializing in Native American Studies, from California State University, East Bay. She is set to pursue her Graduate Degree in Indian Law at Oklahoma University in the fall of 2025. Passionate about advancing workforce development in tribal communities and deeply committed to food sovereignty, Liz found the Sierra Institute to be the ideal platform to channel her leadership skills into impactful initiatives. Liz enjoys beading, reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her children.
MAIA KAJE
Forestry Specialist

MAIA KAJE
Forestry Specialist
Maia joined the Sierra Institute as Forestry Specialist in the spring of 2025. They grew up in the Seattle area, where they developed a strong passion for ecology and the outdoors by spending time around the Puget Sound and Northern Cascades, and they worked their first job in the environmental field for the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. Maia graduated from UC Berkeley in 2024 with an Ecosystem Management and Forestry B.S. and a Society and Environment B.S. After graduating, Maia worked for the US Forest Service as a forestry technician doing timber sale preparation on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. In their spare time, Maia can be found reading, hiking, or occasionally volunteering on a prescribed burn.
MARTHA MCALISTER
Environmental Remediation Specialist and Rural Brownfields Coordinator
MARTHA MCALISTER
Environmental Remediation Specialist and Rural Brownfields Coordinator
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MARTHA MCALISTER
Environmental Remediation Specialist and Rural Brownfields Coordinator
Martha joined the Sierra Institute in 2025 as an Environmental Remediation Specialist and Rural Brownfields coordinator. In 2024, she completed her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida. Martha’s research was focused on the application of systems approaches to promote sustainability in rural environmental health interventions, and she is interested more broadly in the utility of systems thinking toward simplifying complex socio-environmental dynamics for any audience. She collaborated on research in Uganda and the Kyrgyz Republic with governmental and nongovernmental organizations, such as the United States Agency for International Development, Médecins Sans Frontières, and TerraGraphics International Foundation. Previously, Martha worked as a consulting engineer and served as a water and sanitation specialist and community health facilitator with the United States Peace Corps in Vanuatu. Martha enjoys playing music, trying new food, paddling, and, in general, being outside.
MEGAN FLETCHER
P-CREW Youth Corps Coordinator

MEGAN FLETCHER
P-CREW Youth Corps Coordinator
Megan Fletcher is a local from Westwood, CA with a deep-rooted passion for conservation and youth stewardship. She began her journey in 2018 as a member of the P-CREW program, which sparked her desire to pursue a career in conservation. Over the years, she has continued to build on this passion, serving as an Alumni All-Star Assistant, P-CREW Crew Leader, and a member of the Sierra Institute Wilderness Trail Crew. Megan earned her A.S. in Environmental Studies from Feather River College in 2021 and is currently furthering her education in Ecosystem Restoration and Applied Fire Management at the same institution. Alongside her studies, she plays a vital role as the P-CREW Program Coordinator, helping to foster youth development. When she's not working or studying, you can find Megan hiking in her favorite spots around Indian Valley, enjoying a good book, and often with a cup of coffee in hand.
MICHELLE SCLAFANI
Watershed Restoration Project Coordinator

MICHELLE SCLAFANI
Watershed Restoration Project Coordinator
Michelle began working for the Sierra Institute as the Watershed Restoration Project Coordinator in the Summer of 2025. Michelle brings an interest in watershed dynamics and a foundation in complex environmental data analysis. Michelle grew up in the Pocono Mountains, where she gained an appreciation for the natural sciences. After earning her B.S. in Geology and B.S. in Biological Sciences at North Carolina State University, Michelle worked at North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality in Waste Management permitting and compliance for five years, and City of Raleigh’s Division of Stormwater Management for three years. Michelle just recently earned her M.S. in Geology from Idaho State University where she designed a watershed wide experiment to study the interactions between prescribed fire, stream intermittency, and nitrogen processing rates within stream channels. In her free time, Michelle enjoys trail and fell running, camping, stand-up paddleboarding, XC skiing, cello, and creative writing.
TATE SUTTER
Natural Resource Specialist

TATE SUTTER
Natural Resource Specialist
Tate Sutter joined the Sierra Institute permanently as a Natural Resource Specialist in late summer 2025 after working seasonally in the P-CREW Assistant Field Coordinator position. A graduate of Middlebury College with a degree in Geography and Spanish minor, he brings a combination of field and geospatial experience to the position. He takes pride in the varying elements of implementing restoration and stewardship projects on private and public lands in the Northern Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascades. Growing up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Tate developed a deep appreciation of the intertwined nature of caring for the land and for each other. Outside of work, you can find him washing a day’s dust away in a Northern Sierra stream or enjoying a good map.
TONY CHARBONNIER
Collaborative Prep Forester

TONY CHARBONNIER
Collaborative Prep Forester
Tony joined Sierra Institute in September 2022 as a Collaborative Prep Forester. In this role, he collaborates with a variety of partners to plan and prepare both large-scale forest health restoration projects on public lands and community wildfire protection projects on private lands within local communities. He deeply appreciates the opportunity to advance forest restoration efforts that will have meaningful impacts for generations to come. Tony was raised in Indian Valley and grew to love the tight-knit character of a rural community, clean air and water, and being surrounded by forests, streams, and lakes. He then went on to study Physical Geography and GIS at California State Chico while spending summers working for the US Forest Service as a wildland firefighter. He joined the Lassen National Forest-Almanor Ranger District Timber program in 2010, where he worked for 6 seasons and discovered his passion for forestry work. Outside of work, Tony enjoys exploring the rural Sierra, fishing, hunting, foraging, wood cutting, rock hounding, skiing, and at times, finding a few old-growth trees along the way!
VINCENT VITALE
Rural Community Outreach Coordinator

VINCENT VITALE
Rural Community Outreach Coordinator
Vincent Vitale joined the Sierra Institute in 2023 as the Rural Community Outreach Coordinator, where he fosters inclusive partnerships with community members, private landowners, and tribal organizations to support collaborative natural resource management. He brings seven years of experience leading environmental education programs in the Southeast, with a focus on building meaningful learning opportunities rooted in place. Vincent holds a BS in Environmental Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University and an MS in Geography from the University of Florida, where his research explored land use economics and social geography in Namibia to understand how landowner values and behaviors influence economic and ecological outcomes. His work at Sierra Institute centers on participatory decision-making and co-creating solutions with communities. Outside of work, Vincent enjoys exploring the outdoors, attending live music, and following soccer.
ZACH BROWNING
Shared Stewardship Advisor

ZACH BROWNING
Shared Stewardship Advisor
Zach joined the Sierra Institute in 2023 as the Shared Stewardship Advisor where he engages stakeholders in collaborative decision-making processes and multi-objective outcomes. Professionally, Zach has worked with the innovative home heating project Wood for Life in Northern Arizona, on forest restoration projects in Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona, and worked alongside disadvantaged communities towards community empowerment in both rural and urban settings. He has received a master's in forestry from Northern Arizona University as well as art therapy and counseling from Drexel University, giving him a holistic approach to land stewardship, practices, and the people who are part of it. In his free time you can find him rambling and meandering through the outdoors with a pen and brush in hand.
ZOE WATSON
Rural Community Development Program Manager

ZOE WATSON
Rural Community Development Program Manager
Zoe joined the Sierra Institute in the Spring of 2020 as the Rural Community Development Program Manager. At the Sierra Institute, she works on economic and workforce development, securing funding for rural water systems and watershed health, and supporting small businesses that provide rural forestry jobs. Zoe earned a BA in Political Science at UC Santa Barbara and an MS in Community Health at Montana State in Bozeman. Zoe enjoys gardening, skiing, mountain biking, and kayaking in her free time.
Board of Directors
JEFF GLOVER
Board Member
JEFF GLOVER
Board Member
Taylorsville, CA
MAC CLOYES
Board Member
MAC CLOYES
Board Member
Burlington, VT
MARY DAVIDGE
Vice President
MARY DAVIDGE
Vice President
Los Gatos, CA
ROBERT DOTY
President
ROBERT DOTY
President
San Francisco, CA
SHELBY LEUNG
Board Member
SHELBY LEUNG
Board Member
Greenville, CA
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