Our Team
Linus
Eukel
Linus joined John Muir Land Trust in 2004 and works closely with the board of directors, staff, and regional community to help achieve JMLT's mission of permanently protecting the places that make the East Bay Special. Mr. Eukel oversees assets of $50 million and provides vision and leadership to ensure that JMLT implements balanced annual operating budgets and meets its ambitious organizational goals for managing change and growth, strategic planning, individual contributed income development, board and donor cultivation, land acquisition, land use planning, stewardship, and public education activities. He is a board member and past board chair of the California Council of Land Trusts, board member and co-chair of the East Bay Leadership Council’s Infrastructure Task Force, and board member of the Warren W. Eukel Teacher Trust. Linus grew up in and attended public schools in Walnut Creek and is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley and the University of New York. He and his family reside in the Town of Moraga.
Kristen
Anderson
Digital Director
Kristen is a digital and brand marketing strategist passionate about working for the greater good. Prior to joining John Muir Land Trust in February 2020, Kristen spent 15 years promoting The Trust for Public Land’s work to create parks and protect land for people. As Digital Marketing Director, Kristen managed the organization’s online presence including digital strategy, content marketing, acquisition, and engagement. Before her turn in the nonprofit world, Kristen lived in Moscow, Russia where she co-founded a consulting firm specializing in post-Soviet market opportunities. Kristen received her BA in Economics and Soviet Studies from Lehigh University, and holds an MBA from the Haas School at UC Berkeley. She lives in Berkeley, sharing her home with her partner and three canines, and her yard with a few hundred thousand honeybees. Left to her own devices, Kristen can usually be found on a bike or in a body of water.
Ricardo
Black
Ricardo is a passionate steward of JMLT's 23 properties, fostering a deep connection between people and nature through guided programs, restoration projects, and volunteer opportunities. An avid gardener and ethnobotanist, his love of learning led him to earn an Environmental Science Management degree from UC Davis. As a Soil Scientist, Certified Interpretive Guide, and California Native Plant Certified Landscaper, Ricardo champions Traditional Ecological Land Stewardship practices and cherishes the opportunity to connect people with the natural world. Drawing on his experience at Black Diamond Mines, Los Medanos Nature Preserve, and the UC Davis Arboretum, Ricardo ensures JMLT's properties remain vibrant havens for learning and community building. Outside of work, Ricardo's many pets and plants keep him very busy.
Mary
Cherry
Senior Farm Manager, Family Harvest Farm
Mary Cherry is a farmer who is passionate about food justice, soil, and working with youth. In 2013, Mary found purpose and community by growing food and caring for land at the Homeless Garden Project in Santa Cruz, CA. In 2018, Mary became the Farm Manager with John Muir Land Trust at Family Harvest Farm (FHF), providing job training and life skills to youth in foster care through sustainable agriculture. FHF is a perfect fit for Mary because she too aged out of foster care and faced many challenges in finding her place in the world. Mary's experience includes Greenhouse & Field Manager at Old House Farm, creating bouquets at The Pescadero Flowery, and volunteering with Court Appointed Special Advocates of Santa Cruz County. Connecting with land, food, and community has been the most transformative thing Mary has ever done, and she enjoys sharing that with youth from similar backgrounds.
Jay
Dean
Jay spends his time getting the message out about John Muir Land Trust’s work to protect land in the East Bay for everyone to enjoy today and for generations to come. Jay spent ten years as Chief Marketing Officer of The Trust for Public Land, one of the country’s largest conservation organizations. He serves on the board of High Country News, and served on the Executive Committee and as Marketing Chair of EarthShare, a nonprofit group that manages workplace giving for over 500 environmental groups. Jay is a seasoned marketing veteran with three-and-a-half decades of experience as Chief Marketing Officer and senior brand strategist at blue-chip organizations. Jay holds an MBA from the Haas School at UC Berkeley, and a BA summa cum laude from Harvard College. A thirty-year resident of the East Bay, Jay is usually covered in dog hair, sawdust, trail dust, or all three.
Brionna
Garner
Database and Operations Manager
Brionna has been with John Muir Land Trust for two years, starting as a Gift Processor and advancing to Database and Operations Manager. She takes pride in providing data support and analysis for the Development team. Brionna's professional journey began in event and data management at UC Berkeley's University Events and Ceremonies, where she also earned a BS in Sociology. A Bay Area native, Brionna is dedicated to promoting diversity among those who enjoy the region's natural beauty. She resides in the East Bay with her daughter and is passionate about enriching children's experiences in nature through educational programs.
Hannah
Hodgson
Hannah puts her significant experience in environmental program management to work at Family Harvest Farm, a program of John Muir Land Trust. She manages strategic planning, operations, finances, fundraising, partnerships, volunteers, and community outreach. Hannah grew up on a small horse ranch in Martinez, CA and enjoys the Bay Area for its diversity and beauty. Her past work experience includes project management, environmental programming, education, and community organizing for the National Park Service, Resource Conservation Districts, and public utilities. Hannah attended the University of California at Santa Cruz and earned a B.A. in Community Studies with a focus in Economic Justice and a certificate in Experiential Leadership.
Lisa
Lomba
Lisa joyfully supports JMLT’s mission and program goals by leading foundation, government, and corporate giving. She spent several years in K-12 education as a teacher and administrator and worked at the Yosemite Fund, among other nonprofit organizations supporting the common good. Lisa earned her BA in literature at UC Berkeley, holds an MA in literature from San Francisco State University, and a doctorate in education leadership from St. Mary’s College. She lives in Oakland with her exceptionally sweet husband and animals, and spends her free time climbing, hiking, and getting outside with her dog into the Bay Area’s beautiful open spaces.
Alex
Mokhtari-Fox
Associate Director, Family Harvest Farm
Alex puts his background in environmental program management, outdoor youth leadership, habitat restoration, and land management to work at John Muir Land Trust’s Family Harvest Farm. He manages strategic planning, operations, finances, fundraising, volunteers, and community outreach, as well as supporting infrastructure development. Alex grew up in Berkeley, California, in a multicultural household with a mother who was an educator in the Oakland Public School district. He served as Program Manager at Friends of the Urban Forest in San Francisco, overseeing the garden and forestry projects, and supporting grant management and development. His experience working with youth has also had him adventuring and working for the East Bay Regional Park District and City of Berkeley. Alex holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Growing up in a community with strong values in social justice, as well as a love of nature, he spreads and plants that enthusiasm at the farm.
Beth
Perot
Database Director
Beth comes to JMLT with a passion for data management honed during her 30+ year career as an information technology professional in a variety of industries. She has experience in Master Data Management, Business Intelligence, Data and Process Modeling, and Systems Integration, working in both non-profit and for-profit sectors. Beth has a Certificate in Data Resource Management from the University of Washington, and a B.A. in History from Bryn Mawr College. Past volunteer activities include setting up and managing online registration for the Rheem School PTA, and serving on the board of a preschool in Lafayette. She developed her interest in land conservation as a child in Pennsylvania, spending summers hiking in the woods and learning about the native plant and animals at a nature preserve on the Pocono Plateau which has close ties with local conservation organizations working to protect the watershed. Beth has lived in Moraga for the past 25 years, where she and her husband enjoy hiking the hills with their dog, family, and friends.
Neil
Roscoe
Originally from England, Neil brings more than 20 years of successful senior management experience to John Muir Land Trust, including Big 4 accounting expertise and broad industry sector experience in a range of corporate, divisional, subsidiary and agency environments, on 4 continents, with multi-national backgrounds. Neil is a Chartered Accountant and holds a BS in Accounting & Economics with Honors from University of Hull, UK. He has lived in the United States for the past thirty years, currently resides with his family in Walnut Creek and enjoys working with John Muir Land Trust to help permanently protect our local natural areas.
Kathleen
Stavis
Kathleen has deep experience in nonprofit management and fundraising, all with a donor-focused approach. Before joining JMLT, Kathleen was a major gifts officer for Mills College in Oakland, CA, and initially served in a prospect management capacity for the institution. Previously she managed communications and marketing for Larkin Street Youth Services and before that for the San Francisco School Alliance, where she also ran the annual fund and managed events. Kathleen received her BA in Women’s Studies with a minor in Economics and an MBA with a nonprofit management concentration from Mills College. She grew up in San Jose and spent many weekends visiting family in the East Bay. Kathleen lives in Vallejo and explores Bay Area trails with her partner and their two dogs. She loves the spectacular beauty and diversity of the East Bay and is excited to work with the JMLT community to protect open spaces for public enjoyment.
James
Wilson
James helps to oversee the operation, maintenance, stewardship, and preservation of more than 3,500 acres of land entrusted to JMLT. Having impactful careers in environmental interpretation and stewardship with the East Bay Regional Park District and California Department of Fish and Wildlife, he considers himself a naturalist in all respects. James is a lifelong resident on Karkin, Muwekma, Lisjan, and Bay Miwok land in Martinez, California, where he currently lives with his family beside the Alhambra Creek. He was educated in the Martinez Public School System, holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Studies and Science Communication from University of California at Santa Cruz. In his spare time, James enjoys a variety of hobbies including gardening, hiking, bicycling, and exploring with his family the land and nature we call home.