Team
Meet the team of park lovers and advocates who work to ensure that all parks and public spaces in San Francisco are vibrant, welcoming, and accessible to all, from Little Hollywood to Lands End.
Looking to get in touch with our staff? Visit our contact page for details.
Executive Team
Favorite Park
Hilltop Park
Contact
415-801-4154
Drew Becher
Chief Executive Officer
Drew Becher has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the San Francisco Parks Alliance since 2017. In 2018 alone, Drew led the organization as it completed 20+ park projects, engaged 100,000+ residents in park programming, and helped raise $20M+ for capital projects.
Drew has executed transformational projects in support of parks and green spaces across the country, and comes to SF Parks Alliance with over 20 years of experience in national and regional park planning and advocacy. Previously, Drew was President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), Executive Director of the New York Restoration Project, and Chief of Staff at the Chicago Park District. While at PHS and the New York Restoration Project, Drew spearheaded the most innovative and successful tree planting program in the country, the Plant One Million campaign and Million Trees NYC. At PHS, he also created the pop-up garden phenomenon that has been copied in many U.S. cities. In Chicago, Drew forged an acclaimed environmental and beautification agenda, which included the creation of Millennium Park. In his free time, Drew tends to his home garden, and spends time with his three dogs and husband.
Favorite Park
McLaren Park
Contact
415-830-5568
Sonia Gonzalez Banks
Chief Operating Officer, Development, Marketing & Programming
Sonia Gonzalez Banks manages the Marketing, Development and Parks & Place department, leading the teams at SF Parks Alliance responsible for all of the organization’s fundraising, special events, marketing, and programming.
Prior to this role, Sonia founded Golden Banks Consulting, where she supported many nonprofits in interim directorship roles and as the Producer of the San Francisco Botanical Garden Society’s 75th anniversary Community Day. Previously, Sonia served as the Individual Giving and Special Events Director at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where she created and launched a season of new programming for the 50th anniversary that continues on today. Sonia also brought success to the development and marketing departments of Jazz at Lincoln Center and American Federation of the Arts in New York City; and the Austin Museum of Art and the Austin Children’s Museum in Austin, Texas.
When not at work, you can find Sonia building her indoor and outdoor gardens, thrift store shopping and spending time with her young children in San Francisco’s many parks and playgrounds.
Favorite Park
Dolores Park
Contact
415-801-4164
Kearstin Krehbiel
Chief Strategy Officer, Strategy & Partnerships
Kearstin lives with her family in San Francisco’s Mission District and brings over 15 years of experience in nonprofit management, civic work, and community engagement to SF Parks Alliance. She has served as Senior Director of Community Engagement at United Way Bay Area, an organizer for the 2016 Clinton Campaign, and Executive Director of SF Beautiful. For Kearstin, this is a homecoming of sorts as she previously served as the Director of Communications and Programming for SF Parks Trust almost 10 years ago, launching the Partner Program, Street Parks, and other signature programs. She is also the author of the report calling for the Citywide Public Space Initiative and has worked actively to realize that vision.
Her favorite park depends on her mood, but she’s almost always in the mood for Dolores Park.
Staff
Contact
415-513-5944
Alyssa Andrews
Accounting Specialist
Alyssa is eager to make positive contributions to her new community.
Originally from San Diego, Alyssa began her career as a Member Service Representative with the Cameron Family YMCA. Her most recent position was serving as an Account Clerk for the City of San Diego Parks & Recreation Golf Division.
Outside of work, Alyssa enjoys baking, reading, watching movies, and discovering new restaurants. She loves being outdoors and spending time with her husband and their miniature schnauzer, Luffy.
As a new resident of the Bay Area, Alyssa is also looking forward to exploring her new home and visiting all of the beautiful parks that San Francisco has to offer!
Favorite Park
The Chain of Lakes Meadow in Golden Gate Park
Contact
415-874-1095
Chris Bannister
Associate Director, Development
In his role, Chris supports the Deputy Director and the External Affairs team with the acquisition and retention of donors. He also manages fundraising efforts, and oversees membership growth.
Originally from a small suburb outside of Los Angeles, Chris has been living in the Bay Area for over a decade. Previously, Chris has worked as the Membership Manager at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition – one of the oldest and largest bicycling advocacy groups in the country – and was responsible for overseeing all membership-related aspects of the organization.
As someone who utilizes the park almost every day, Chris admires the variety of outdoor spaces San Francisco has to offer and is looking forward to building this admiration amongst donors and members.
Chris holds a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Human Sexuality Studies. In his spare time, he enjoys biking, watching movies, going to shows, and spending time with his dog, Mazzy.
Favorite Park
Golden Gate Park
Contact
415-906-6234
Adrienne Bernardez
Permitting & Administrative Coordinator, Activation
Adrienne supports the Activation Team in the planning of events all across San Francisco. Previously, Adrienne worked at Marin County Parks as an Assistant Volunteer Coordinator, where she led volunteers through multidimensional habitat restoration projects throughout the Parks & Open Spaces of Marin.
As someone who spends much of her time outdoors, Adrienne believes that parks should be safe and accessible for everyone – and she is eager and excited to serve the communities in San Francisco in this role.
Outside of work, Adrienne enjoys biking around the city, reading in the park, and spending time with her dog.
Favorite Park
Golden Gate Park
Contact
415-707-1520
Lauren Buch
Generalist, Human Resources
Lauren is originally from Folsom, CA and went on to get her Bachelor’s in Sociology from Chico State.
Her passion for Non-Profit work started with a small Homeless Shelter located in Chico. She started as an on-site monitor that worked closely providing services to unhoused individuals. She was promoted to Case Manager and helped clients obtain housing and income. In that time, she recognized the organization was in great need of an HR role. She was promoted to HR and built the department from the ground up; crafting the position and streamlining administrative, employee and operational functions.
From there, she worked at a Non-Profit Private School driving their HR Data Analytics. Lauren has found great pride in aiding Non-Profits through their ever evolving changes and empowering their much needed missions and goals.
In her free time, Lauren likes to find new plant nurseries, go to concerts at the Fillmore, discover Boba shops, explore craft fairs and museums, and spend time with her rescue chihuahua Patrick.
Favorite Park
Golden Gate Park (car-free JFK to Ocean Beach, specifically!)
Contact
415-513-5056
Aimée Callander
Senior Manager, Policy & Education
Aimee joined SF Parks Alliance as an intern in 2021 before transitioning to a full time role.
Originally from the UK, Aimee worked as a teacher in London prior to beginning her Masters in Social & Public Policy at the University of York. Since moving to the Bay Area, she has worked with the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and become increasingly passionate about working to foster a more livable, equitable city for all San Franciscans.
Outside of work, Aimee plays netball with the SF Stars, cruises around town on her bike, and is always on the search for the perfect sourdough pizza.
Favorite Park
Stern Grove
Contact
415-683-7223
Emily Chacon
Associate, Development
Emily joined the SF Parks Alliance in January 2023. She works with the External Affairs team by providing skilled administrative support related to development activities.
Originally from Ventura, California, Emily moved to San Francisco to attend San Francisco State University where she graduated with a degree in Business Administration and Education. Before making her way to the SF Parks Alliance, Emily had internships with the Presidio Trust and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. Through those positions, she saw the profound role parks and open spaces play in the lives of our urban Bay Area communities.
In her free time, Emily enjoys practicing guitar, playing in a community soccer league, and being outside with her big, goofy dog, Frankie.
Favorite Park
Aquatic Park
Ren Fitzgerald
Intern, Parks Forward
Ren (they/them) supports the Parks Forward team with community outreach and advocacy initiatives.
They push for the city to improve, activate, and grow our parks through government interaction and public engagement. Ren is currently a student at UC Berkeley studying urban studies and journalism. They are on the board of Telegraph for People, a group of Berkeley community members pushing for the pedestrianization and activation of Telegraph Avenue. Formerly, they managed grassroots campaigns across the Bay Area.
Ren enjoys spending time riding their bike around the Bay and hanging out in their favorite bike shop. In a personal capacity, they advocate for safe streets and quality public transportation systems across the Bay.
Favorite Park
Stow Lake
Contact
415-426-7153
Ariel Fournier
Project Coordinator, Activation
In her role at the SF Parks Alliance, Ariel Fournier bringing her love for the outdoors and experience in environmental conservation to the team.
Raised in Mariposa, California, Ariel’s first job as a raft guide in Yosemite sparked her deep appreciation for nature. After relocating to the Bay Area 15 years ago, Ariel pursued her passion for environmental conservation through her studies. She has since worked with organizations like Clean Water Action and ReThink Disposable, focusing on protecting communities from pollution and promoting sustainable practices. In her free time, Ariel enjoys camping, backpacking, and teaching freestyle dance.
She also indulges her creativity by making recycled crafts and jewelry. With her hands-on experience and dedication to preserving the environment, Ariel enjoys utilizing her role at SF Parks Alliance to build community and inspire others to cherish and protect our natural spaces.
Favorite Park
Golden Gate Park
Contact
415-830-5567
Steve Fredericks
Director, Development
Steve joined SFPA in 2019 and leads the organization’s development team. He also partners with the City of San Francisco, and local organizations to secure philanthropic support for major park and public space capital campaigns including India Basin, Crane Cove, Let’sPlaySF, and Harvey Milk Plaza.
Prior to working at SF Parks Alliance, Steve served as the Director of Development for Bay Area Wilderness Training, where he led the fundraising strategy to double the organization’s budget and staff in his six-year tenure. This work included securing the funding to launch a major initiative with Oakland Unified School District to bring every middle school student on an outdoor trip as part of their school curriculum.
Overall Steve has over 15 years of fundraising and nonprofit leadership experience. Steve continues to be an advocate for outdoor access for all people, and greatly enjoys backpacking, snowboarding, running and cooking.
Favorite Park
Dolores Park
Contact
415-801-4160
Oscar Garcia
Senior Associate, Development
Oscar joined SF Parks Alliance in July of 2016. A native of San Francisco, he is always willing to field the “what is Hella?” question for those who grew up outside of the Bay Area. Oscar worked in a wide variety of industries and organizations before coming to the Parks Alliance. His previous employers include the Embassy of Jordan, Kiva Microfunds, Fenton Communications, as well as companies in the tech sector such as Zillow Group, Zenefits, and Cardpool.
Oscar received his graduate degree in International Affairs at American University’s School of International Service, completed his undergraduate degree at San Francisco State University, and takes Data Science courses for fun. In his spare time, he can be found playing flag football, brewing and bottling beers, and taking way too many photos of his food.
Favorite Park
Golden Gate Park
Contact
415-830-4614
Madeline Johns
Marketing Manager
Madeline graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a degree in Business Management and Marketing in 2020. Since her return to San Francisco, she’s worked at the SF Parks Alliance as part of their Marketing Team. As a native San Franciscan, she is proud to be of service to the communities she grew up in and eager to continue discovering the city’s green spaces. In her spare time, Madeline enjoys playing volleyball, climbing, snowboarding, and biking around the city.
Favorite Park
Buena Vista Park
Contact
415-801-4149
Sarah Katz-Hyman
Senior Manager, Community Events & Programs
Sarah is responsible for supporting and building connections between community groups across the city, and planning the annual Public Space Summit. Prior to joining SF Parks Alliance, Sarah worked as the Visitor Engagement Specialist at the Presidio in San Francisco, undertaking logituditional visitor research, data management, systems creation, and event support. She has a background in public space research, community-centered education, outreach, and events and project management.
Sarah graduated from the University of Maryland with a dual-degree in Environmental Science and Broadcast Journalism. She moved to San Francisco in 2016 and loves to explore new neighborhoods, support local businesses, go to live music and theatre performances, and hike to the tallest hill and take in the views. You’ll often find her performing improv, petting dogs, or talking about Sister Act I & II (the greatest films ever set in San Francisco!).
Favorite Park
Golden Gate Park
Contact
415-513-5363
Gina Kotos
Community Manager, North
Gina joined SF Parks Alliance in August 2022. She works with the Stewardship Team to support and build connections between community groups in the northern half of San Francisco.
Originally from Los Angeles, Gina moved to the Bay Area to study Environmental Biology and Public Health at UC Berkeley. She has dedicated her career to equity in sustainability and has experience working with environmental non-profit organizations, climate tech, and local and state government. Prior to joining SF Parks Alliance, she consulted cities across California on General and Specific Plans, Climate Action Plans, and Environmental Impact Reports as a Planner at Dyett & Bhatia. Gina is passionate about the power of parks and public space to promote optimism, fight climate change, and cultivate a sense of place and community.
When she’s not exploring San Francisco’s parks and cultural activities, Gina enjoys running, practicing yoga, and doing ceramics and other creative hobbies.
Favorite Park
Sunnyside Conservatory
Contact
415-707-1523
Stella Lochman
Director, Activation & Programming
Stella Lochman is a born and raised San Franciscan who has dedicated her career to cultivating the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and joy in the Bay Area. A graduate of Ruth Asawa School of the Arts and San Francisco State University, she previously worked in San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) where she produced hundreds of community programs that connect the work of local, national, and international artists including the 2022 Artist Soapbox Derby in partnership with San Francisco Parks Alliance.
Favorite Park
Golden Gate Park (Lily Pond)
Contact
415-801-4161
Paula Martin
Program Manager, Benches
Paula manages the Commemorative Bench program at SF Parks Alliance. She comes to the organization with over 20 years of experience working in the non-profit sector. Although Paula’s first love is donor database administration, she also has years of experience writing direct mail appeals, producing special events, and cultivating donor relationships.
As a San Francisco native, working on the San Francisco Parks Alliance Commemorative Bench Program gives Paula the unique opportunity to be out and around in Golden Gate Park, as well as other amazing areas of the City.
Favorite Park
Dolores Park
Waymon Ng
Ambassador, Event
Waymon was born and raised in San Francisco in the SOMA district. He is currently studying Public Health, getting his Associates in Asian American Studies at City College of San Francisco, and hopes to transer to a four year university. Previously, he worked as a barists at Starbucks and as a ectricians apprentice. He also enjoyed volunteering at his old High School supporting the JROTC program. In his spare time, Waymon likes fishing in different Bay Area lakes, cooking and finding new eateries and coffee shops to try.
Favorite Park
Panhandle
Contact
415-830-5569
Jake Ramirez
Associate Director, Marketing
Jake joined the SF Parks Alliance in August 2022. He leads on a variety of marketing and media initiatives and supports the greater external affairs team.
Prior to joining the SF Parks Alliance, Jake worked in the agency world, providing public relations and communications support to clients in industries including agriculture, music, tech, and CPG. Previously, he worked in marketing and communications with mission-driven nonprofits. He is an off-and-on music journalist.
Outside of work, Jake enjoys running in the Panhandle, counting banana slugs on hikes, and catching old David Lynch films at the Roxie.
Favorite Park
Dolores Park
Contact
415-801-4163
Savannah Schoelen
Community Manager, Southwest
Savannah joined SF Parks Alliance in August 2022.
Originally from Lake Elsinore in Southern California, Savannah made the move up north in 2014 where she attended UC Berkeley to study Sociology and City Planning – and hasn’t left the Bay Area since. Prior to SF Parks Alliance, Savannah spent four years at Downtown Streets Team supporting the unhoused and at-risk community in San Francisco.
Savannah strongly believes in the importance of parks and public spaces, and that everyone has the right to enjoy them. She is excited to support initiatives that are grounded in community, and make San Francisco the beautiful city it is.
Outside of work, Savannah can be found exploring San Francisco parks with her dog, sewing with up-cycled materials, or watching the sunrise/sunset from the dunes at Ocean Beach. Favorite SF park: Ocean Beach!
Favorite Park
Dolores Park
Contact
415-874-1218
Jess Smith
Associate, Strategy & Partnerships
Jess joined SF Parks Alliance in 2022. Working her way through the parks system, she’s been lucky to explore her interests in community and public spaces interaction.
Jess came to San Francisco in 2021 from Tennessee and fell in love with the diversity and community found in the Bay. She looks forward to utilizing her BS in Geography and her minor in Urban Planning to serve the city of San Francisco through innovation, connection, and activism.
Away from work Jess can be found skating, sewing, exploring libraries, and hunting for the best Iced Chai / warm pastry combo in the city.
Favorite Park
Mission Dolores
Rachel Speckenbach
Ambassador, Event
Rachel grew up on Long Island, New York where she cultivated a love for animals and nature at an early age. She went on to get a degree in Conservation Biology that led her to work as an environmental educator for several years as well as a wildlife technician with different research projects that included sloths, sharks, turtles and endangered shorebirds. She aims to center advocacy and justice in her work.
Since moving to San Francisco two years ago, Rachel has been eager to find connection to place and put her passion for community engagement and natural spaces into motion. She believes that viewing people as part of nature is essential if we want to keep the planet habitable for all. In her free time, Rachel loves climbing, camping, birding and exploring beaches and parks.
Favorite Park
Tank Hill
Luke Spray
Director, Policy & Advocacy
He is a 12-year resident of San Francisco, and he received his degree in Urban Planning from San Francisco State University. Prior to joining the Parks Alliance, Luke worked in the Portola neighborhood, where he supported the Garden District’s small businesses and community groups with projects ranging from the creation of new gardens to the renovation of the historic Avenue Theater marquee. Luke is excited about creating environments where people can thrive by harnessing the power of passionate neighbors to improve their communities. When he’s not thinking about the future of San Francisco’s public spaces, he can be found riding his bike, baking sourdough bread and hosting a morning radio show about falling in love with San Francisco.
Favorite Park
Alta Plaza
Contact
415-513-5526
Cassie Tarbox
Associate, External Affairs & Programs
Cassie joined SF Parks Alliance in December 2022.
She supports the Programs and External Affairs departments by streamlining processes and managing operational activities for the executive team. Prior to working at SF Parks Alliance, Cassie was an Executive Assistant to the CEO of a private equity company in Dallas, TX. She was born and raised in Northern California and is excited to help improve the parks and green spaces that she loved so much as a kid!
Outside of work Cassie can usually be found hiking and exploring parks with her husband, playing pickleball, or finding a new restaurant to try.
Favorite Park
Joe DiMaggio Park
Contact
415-707-1524
Beck Trebesch
Research Associate
Joining as an intern in Fall 2022, Beck worked to better understand the Slow Streets program, eventually partnering with Page Slow Street to draft the first iteration of ‘Fungtional Slow Streets’, a mushroom-themed functioning bike pump sculpture.
Since then, Beck graduated UC Berkeley with a Bachelors of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, proudly capping off his undergraduate career with an honors thesis investigating Public Space, Urban Intervention, and Visual Cultures through the lens of DIY skateparks in the Bay Area.
In his time as a Bay Area resident/skater/biker/park enjoyer, Beck has found that shared interests can go far beyond leisure and he is a strong proponent of community stewardship, alternative urban design, and the do-it-yourself mentality. Beck enjoys most things active and most things arts-related. When winter rolls around, in honor of his Montanan and Norwegian heritage, you can find him lapping KT-22 at Palisades Tahoe on any given weekend.
Favorite Park
Dolores Park
Contact
415-801-4159
Stephanie Troyan
Program Manager, Capital
Stephanie joined the SF Parks Alliance in 2023. Her work focuses on community-based planning, activation of the public realm, public art integration, and designing inclusive places. Stephanie collaborates with communities and multi-disciplinary teams to develop meaningful and impactful public spaces.
Throughout her career, she has contributed to a range of projects incorporating public art and creative placemaking into both existing and proposed sites, including master planning, trail planning, Art in Parks, sculpture gardens, playscapes, healthcare environments, historical landscapes, green space adaptive re-use and reclamation, and urban streetscapes. Her human-centric approach to design includes participatory art, and community skill building. She views site challenges as an opportunity to celebrate what could be perceived as a negative, creating unique solutions that aid in telling the story of place. Stephanie holds a five-year Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree and a minor in City and Regional Planning with a concentration in Art from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Favorite Park
Washington Square
Contact
415-707-1526
Val Valenzuela
Project Manager, Activation
Val brings to San Francisco Parks Alliance a rich background in producing and planning live music events. Much of her work experience has been geared towards providing accessible concerts and spaces for the people of the Bay Area. She enjoys bringing diverse programming to the parks and public spaces of San Francisco.
When she’s not at work, you can find Val on a hiking trail, camping, practicing film photography, going to a show, or curling up with her two cats and a good book.
Favorite Park
Golden Gate Park
Contact
415-707-1519
Thea Yang
Assistant Project Manager, Capital
Thea Yang,is a talented and passionate landscape designer/planner. She has a deep appreciation for community and public spaces which she brings to her role at the SF Parks Alliance.
Previously Thea worked as a landscape designer, where she contributed to the development of public parks and schools in theBay area. She has also worked in collaboration with former National Park Service Director, Jon Jarvis, to establish a national park system in China and assisted in evaluating one of the premier pilot national parks, Sanjiangyuan.
In addition to design, Thea is also an expert in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She brings an integrated approach to GIS which enables her to foster collaboration, make informed decisions, and promote inclusive design practices.