Staff from left to right: Jodi Bailey,Seth Adams, Monica Oei, Emily Egan,
Julie Seelen,Christine Chestnut, Nora Sanchez, Ron Brown, Beryl Anderson, George Phillips.
Not pictured: Shannon Grover and Dana Halpin

Ronald Brown Executive Director
Ron was hired by SMD in 2000. He brings over thirty-four years of professional non-profit organization management and fundraising experience. He holds a Master’s Degree in Management, specializing in Non-Profit Organizations, from the University of Redlands and a B.A. degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from San Francisco State University. Ron has been a resident of central Contra Costa since 1974 and lives in the shadow of Shell Ridge Open Space with his wife, Sharon. They have two daughters, Jordana and Rebecca. Ron enjoys fly fishing, playing softball and the outdoors.

Seth Adams Land Programs Director

Seth was hired by SMD in 1988. His responsibilities include land acquisition, land use planning, land stewardship, grassroots activism and legislative and public policy. He lives in Martinez and is an avid hiker, runner, cyclist and weight-lifter.

Julie Seelen Advancement Director
Julie was hired by SMD in 2005. Her responsibilities include the fund development program and communications and marketing plan. She has a Master’s degree in Architecture and Building Construction from the University of Technology in Eindhoven.  A native of the Netherlands, Julie moved to the United States in the early 90's to do research for her thesis on indoor/outdoor air quality. Julie and her husband Carl, and their two children, Evelyn and Christoph, live in Moraga.

Monica Oei Finance Director

Monica was hired in 2006. She oversees all of the organization's finances and operations such as Accounting and Investments, Human Resources and Information Technology, . Monica and her husband Kendall live in Concord and enjoy sharing their appreciation of nature and open space with their daughter through camping, fishing and kayaking.

Jodi Bailey Land Conservation Manager

Jodi was hired in 2010. Her main responsibilities are monitoring for land use projects with impacts to open space and natural resources. She is also writing management plans for SMD properties. Jodi brings extensive experience in natural resource management and land use planning to her work at SMD. Prior to joining the staff, she held positions with the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Estuary Partnership, and The Nature Conservancy. Jodi holds a doctorate in Geography from U.C. Berkeley with a specialties in environmental policy, international conservation and island biogeography and other isolated areas, such as nature reserves. In her free time, she frequently does volunteer trail work and organizes and leads winter snow camping trips. She is also an avid hiker, backpacker, backcountry skier, and trail runner.

George Phillips Land Conservation Associate

George was hired in 2009. He currently coordinates Save Mount Diablo's Stewardship, Landowner Outreach and Hike programs. In addition, he manages volunteer groups such as the East Bay Trail Dogs and the Diablo Restoration Team (DiRT) to restore habitats and trails on properties under Save Mount Diablo's management prior to being turned over to a park agency. He attained a BA in Biology from Lewis & Clark College where he developed a passion for herpetology and botany. He loves hiking with his parents and sharing his enthusiasm for the Diablo Wilderness with friends and family

Emily Egan Event and Volunteer Coordinator

Emily was hired in 2010. She handles the planning, preparation and execution of events to raise funds and awareness for SMD and coordinates volunteers’ efforts. She is a UC Davis graduate and brings with her event coordinating experience from the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter.  Emily, a transplant from the Sacramento area, and her husband, Sean, reside in Alameda.  They enjoy traveling, skiing, swimming, and the natural beauty of the Bay Area.

Christine Chestnut Grant Writer
Christine was hired in 2010. She researches foundations and writes proposals and reports for funders.  Her background in environmental science, law and her prior work in local and state government serve as excellent resources as she works to acquire funding to further Save Mount Diablo's mission. Residents of the Oakland area, Christine, her husband Steve and their daughter Nyana take advantage of the Bay Area’s open space by hiking, camping and playing on the beach.

Beryl Anderson Communications Coordinator

Beryl was hired in 2010. She designs, manages and distributes all marketing communications from press releases and newsletters to social media and the website’s search engine optimization. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication from Humboldt State University. Beryl and her husband Tyler live in their hometown of Livermore and enjoy gardening, rock climbing and camping in their free time.

Nora Sanchez Accounting Associate

Nora was hired in 2008. She assists the Finance Director with accounting and organizational operations. Nora, a Canadian native, lives with her husband Phil in Danville. Both Nora and Phil love to relax by camping in all of California's natural settings.

Shannon Grover Senior Administrative Assistant
Shannon was hired in 2011. In addition to handling senior level administrative duties she assists the Executive Director. Shannon holds a B.S. in Business Administration from St. Mary’s College and has several years of office manager expertise. Neighbor to the mountain with her family, she is a dedicated hiker embracing the peaceful escape of Diablo’s slopes and foothills.

Dana Halpin Administrative Assistant

Dana was hired in 2011. She works at the front desk handling emails, phones, and processing donations while also assisting staff with various projects and events. Dana holds a B.A. in Exercise Science from U.C. Davis and has 5 years of administrative assistant experience, having worked at both Stanford University and U.C. Berkeley. Dana grew up in the East Bay enjoying  Mount Diablo. She continues to enjoy being outdoors with her husband and two children and treasures her beautiful view of Mount. Diablo from her home in Walnut Creek.

Amanda Bucknam Development Assistant
Amanda was hired in 2012 to assist with grant writing. She has more than three years of experience handling education and outreach for the Colorado State Forest Service. Amanda holds a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management with a minor in Conservation Biology from Colorado State University. Although she was born in Walnut Creek, Amanda grew up on the East Coast before attending school in Colorado. Her general appreciation for open space was sparked at a young age through nature camp which she carried into Outward Bound Excursions through high school. She is passionate about spending time on Mount Diablo hiking, biking and camping.

Join Our Team
Save Mount Diablo does not currently have any staff positions available. However, we are always in need of volunteers with a wide array of skills. Please contact Emily Egan, Event and Volunteer Coordinator if you are interetsed.