Ecology Action Adds a New Cohort of Board Members

We are thrilled to welcome five new board members to our leadership team. Each person brings a plethora of new skills, expertise, perspectives, and lived experiences. They all share a dedication to our mission to build equitable community climate solutions for all. Please welcome the newest cohort of Ecology Action board members!

leana Ortega Brunetti

Ileana is a life-long Central Coast resident who has been dedicated to the region’s nonprofit sector for decades. She is currently the Sustainability and Equity Special Projects Manager at UCSC, integrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice approaches into sustainability and environmentalism. She loves learning new languages, exploring diverse cultures, and reading outdoors. When not serving the community, you’ll find her spending time with family and friends.

I joined Ecology Action because the mission and approach to community activism speaks to my spirit.

Wendy Root Askew

Wendy is a mother and wife and currently works full-time as an elected member of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. A creative problem-solver with 4th generation deep roots in our community, she is committed to advancing policy that promotes the ability of all families to grow in healthy, safe, and supportive environments. She strives to promote affordable housing, quality education, community and school safety, and smart growth that brings good jobs while protecting the natural beauty of our spectacular Central Coast. She previously served on the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District as a Board Trustee, championing expanded early education, safe routes to schools, and support for high-quality teachers.

I’ve seen firsthand how the team at Ecology Action is inspiring communities to envision and create a future that protects our clean air and water. I love thinking about the way that programs like bike safe and e-bike incentives have benefits that span generations. Ecology Action really understands that building a climate resilient future isn’t just about the future, it’s about building communities that are healthy and safe for everyone today and tomorrow. I am thrilled to join the team!

Nikki Patterson

Nikki is a passionate and experienced community builder with a demonstrated history of nonprofit development in education and the arts for organizations such as Life Lab and the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History. She believes in learning from the past to inform and cultivate an inclusive, sustainable, and progressive community. Nikki currently serves as a Santa Cruz City Art Commissioner and is also an active Board Trustee for the Santa Cruz Downtown Association. She loves traveling, exploring nature, gardening, culinary arts, bringing people together, and being the mother of two fabulous humans.

Ecology Action provides real climate solutions and tangible action items at all levels of engagement. Their effective community programs and collaborations are a template for success, and I am honored to be of service as an Ecology Action Board member.

Ken Ketch:

Ken has founded, managed and sold several manufacturing and retail companies, including two publicly traded companies. As an organizational development consultant for the last 25 years, Ken has worked with numerous organizations to improve performance through improving clarity and helping team members communicate clearly and build business literacy, resulting in aligned teams and effective allocation of resources.

I joined to Ecology Action and Taper boards for a chance to give back my experience to hopefully aid in the all-important effort to reduce the impact of carbon– one of the causes of our climate crises.

Lynn Renshaw:

Lynn has a successful track record of achieving market leadership positions for software companies. She holds 20 years of expertise in strategic marketing, product line positioning, product management, and partner programs. Lynn is also the founder of Santa Cruz Together and brings a strong understanding of working collaboratively as a community to build a better future for us all.

I am deeply passionate about maximizing potential carbon reduction and feel committed to serving as a Board member at Ecology Action to build a prosperous low-carbon future.