ABOUT US

Our Mission

Our History

Our Impact

Staff & Board

FAQ

About Us

Solana Center for Environmental Innovation is an award-winning environmental 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1983. Located in Encinitas, we serve all of San Diego County. Our classes, workshops, and events focus on soil, water, and waste, promoting upstream and preventative behaviors that are widely accessible. We make green living practical for individuals, businesses, schools, and local governments. Our organization believes in circular systems that support our vision: A world with landfills and oceans free of discarded resources. Small actions everyday, make a big impact. We are in the business of meeting each person wherever they are on their environmental journey.

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2024 California Green Business Network Certification - Certified Green Businesses exceed all environmental regulations, and implement specific practices to reduce pollution, save water, conserve energy, and protect human health.
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2015 California Governor's Environmental & Economic Leadership Award
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Our Mission

Empower innovative solutions to climate change through education, community engagement, and research.

Our Vision

A world with landfills and oceans free of discarded resources.

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Financials

Our History

Founded as Solana Recyclers in 1983, we are proud to have pioneered the first comprehensive curbside recycling program in San Diego - and one of the first such programs in the State of California. Together with our partners, we work creatively to promote the sustainable management of our natural resources and connect the community to real solutions. The San Diego region is constantly changing, and we change with it.

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1983

Founded as Solana Recyclers by a group of local residents committed to educating the community about the importance of recycling in order to reduce waste and conserve natural resources.

1989

Solana Recyclers named "Best Curbside Recycling Program in California" by the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) at that time serving 22,000+ households.

1991

Solana Recyclers' household recycling program was acquired by local waste hauler company resulting in a shift to direct community education prioritizing soil, water, and waste diversion. 

1994

First Master Composter Course held at San Marcos landfill.

2003

Organization's name shifts from Solana Recyclers to Solana Center for Environmental Innovation to reflect the focus on education and action within public and private partnerships required to address the environmental challenges in our region.

2016

Awarded the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) California's highest environmental honor for demonstrating closed-loop community compost system between local restaurant and farm.

2016

Solana Center begins Food Cycle to demonstrate a closed loop community system for handling waste.

2019

Solana Center begins working on a pilot program to connect grocery store food waste to farmers to create a local closed loop food system. 

2022

SB 1383 enforcement goes into effect across California, with Solana Center providing San Diego's jurisdictions and businesses expert assistance in legislative compliance. 

2023

Proud recipient of the US Compost Council Organics Diversion Program of the Year Award.

Present

Curious what we've been up to recently? Check out our media and awards page.

The Impact

With the help of our dedicated community, Solana Center has:

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Staff & Board

Are you interested in joining the Solana Center team? Check out our job openings.

Leadership Team

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Jessica Toth

(she/her/hers)

Executive Director

jessica@solanacenter.org
(760) 436-7986 ex. 713

Jessica oversees daily operations and management at Solana Center.

Though always passionate about the environment, Jessica took a circuitous route to get here, starting on Wall Street during the 1980s. Since then, she has held positions in corporate research, marketing, IT consulting, and business process improvement at various companies, including HP, Texas Instruments, the World Bank, Kyocera, SDG&E, and the San Diego Zoo. She also co-founded and ran Curious Company, an educational software company. More recently, she established the environmental education programs at Rob Machado Foundation and served on a San Diego Coastkeeper committee.

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Mallika Sen

(she/her/hers)

Director of Environmental Solutions

mallika@solanacenter.org
(760) 436-7986 ex. 724

Mallika is our Environmental Solutions Director. In this position, Mallika is in charge of ensuring Solana Center's services are addressing the needs of the community and our local government.

Prior to coming to Solana Center, Mallika spent over 20 years working in the fast-moving wireless industry at Nortel, Nokia, and Microsoft where she held a variety of roles in engineering and management and lead several mobile phone programs. After many years traveling the world, she decided to pursue her true passion in environmental sustainability. Mallika started off working with several school sustainability projects while earning her Sustainable Business Certificate from UCSD Extension. She is thrilled to use her experience in leading projects, program management, and driving change to make the world more sustainable.

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Sue Ruiz

(she/her/hers)

Accountant/Finance Director

sue@solanacenter.org
(760) 436-7986 ex. 703

Sue is responsible for all financial functions at Solana Center.

The dynamic, fast-paced industry of title/escrow is where Sue spent 25 years crunching numbers. While in Los Angeles at Old Republic Title, she managed the Accounting Department and later became the Regional Accounting Manager of Southern California. She received her BS in Accounting attending Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State LA. After five years in Orange County, she moved to San Diego in 1997, where she worked as Accountant for Markstein Beverage Co. Sue loves being able to use her accounting craft in such an inspiring environment as Solana Center.

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Kayleigh Dearstyne-Hulin

(she/her/hers)

Contracts Manager

kayleigh.dearstyne@solanacenter.org

(760) 436-7986 ex. 716

Kayleigh is the Contracts Manager at Solana Center. In this role, she manages client and staff time to ensure we are making an effective impact in our community.

After getting a degree in International Relations and Sustainable Development from the University of St. Andrews, Kayleigh served with Americorps implementing environmental classes and a STEM summer camp for kids in underserved areas of Reno. Since moving to San Diego, she has been working to assist communities in numerous ways primarily through fundraising, event planning, and organizational efforts. Kayleigh enjoys using her expertise in nonprofits and efficient organization techniques to help Solana Center reach its impact goals and build a more sustainable world.

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Robin Fator

(she/her/hers)

Marketing and Development Manager

robin.fator@solanacenter.org

(760) 436-7986 ex. 719

Robin is Solana Center's Marketing and Development Manager, coordinating events and initiatives such as our 40th Year Anniversary Celebration, third party fundraisers, website overhauls, and more. 
 
Before joining the Solana Center team, Robin led marketing and development initiatives for several Northern California nonprofit organizations. Her background includes owning and operating a handmade fashion brand, leading high school and college classes as a digital marketing instructor, founding a nonprofit, and authoring a book. Living sustainably has always been important to Robin. Combining her love for the natural world with storytelling, Robin increases the visibility of Solana Center in the San Diego community and beyond.
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Erin Stone

(she/her/hers)

Education Associate Manager

erin@solanacenter.org
(760) 436-7986 ex. 711

Erin is our Education Associate Manager. She loves encouraging and educating people of all ages about accessible ways to reduce food waste and be gentle to our beautiful planet.

Erin's first introduction to Solana Center was as a summer intern between her years at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. After graduating with a degree in Environmental Studies, Erin returned to the San Diego area and worked as an Educator at the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy (now the Nature Collective,) guiding local elementary school students on nature walks and teaching them about native ecosystems and why it's important to protect them. She then moved across the country to St. Paul, Minnesota for five years, where she worked at a local food coop, as well as in infant care, and spent endless weekends on the abundant Minnesota state park trails. When Erin returned to Cardiff, she rejoined Solana Center as an Environmental Educator and has since been promoted to Education Associate Manager.

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 Education & Outreach

Please contact (760) 436-7986 ex. 711 for education inquiries.

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Jennifer Galey

Senior Environmental Educator

jennifer@solanacenter.org
(760) 436-7986 ex. 702

Jennifer is Solana Center's Senior Environmental Educator, who is our lead on all things relating to soil - from growing healthy plants to creating nutrient-rich compost.

Jennifer Galey is an East Coast native from Pittsburgh, PA. She holds a degree in Psychology from St. Mary's of Notre Dame and a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Pittsburgh. After moving to Southern California and working as a therapist and teacher, Jennifer became the Infield Farm Coordinator for the San Diego County Fair and a Senior Environmental Educator and Fair Liaison for Solana Center, developing educational exhibits and workshops for backyard farming at the Fair that include composting techniques, organic gardening, beekeeping, water conservation, and waste diversion. As our Senior Environmental Educator, Jennifer develops education strategy and presents at schools, community events, and workshops on a variety of topics including composting, recycling, grey water, and organics exchange programs.

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Sarah Van Horn

(she/her/hers)

Education & Outreach Specialist, Rain Barrel Lead

sarah.vanhorn@solanacenter.org

(760) 436-7986 ext. 709

As Solana Center's Education & Outreach Specialist and Rain Barrel Lead, Sarah is our point person for City of San Diego educational programs and all jurisdictions' rain barrel subsidy & education programs.
 
Sarah grew up gardening, camping, and kayaking in the underrated outdoors of her home state of New Jersey. After a few summers as a camp counselor, Sarah decided to combine her boundless energy, love of nature, and passion for education into a career as an environmental educator. Sarah moved to San Diego in 2014 to pursue a degree in Environmental Systems at UC San Diego. After graduating, she spent many years at Los Peñasquitos Canyon County Preserve where she developed and facilitated classroom/outdoor education programs for students, curated museum exhibits, and more. She is also a volunteer docent and naturalist for the San Diego Natural History Museum. At Solana Center, Sarah advocates for a more interactive approach to education that emphasizes asking questions and building on what students already know.
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Deanna Milton

(she/her/hers)

Environmental Educator

deanna.milton@solanacenter.org

(760) 436-7986 ext. 708

Deanna is an environmental educator for Solana Center, leading interactive workshops and webinars on composting, food waste prevention, water wise gardening, and more.

A former hairstylist and one-time real estate agent, Deanna is a San Diego native living in East County with her husband and three children. In 2014 she and her family welcomed the gateway animal into their lives...chickens. Her journey since has been one of learning and loving gardening, raising livestock (pigs, chickens, and more recently quail,) studying permaculture, composting, homesteading, and animal husbandry. Deanna is an FFA (Future Farmers of America) mom who is thrilled to keep learning and sharing ideas about waste diversion and soil regeneration.

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Natalie Mazur

(she/her/hers)

Bilingual Environmental Educator

natalie.mazur@solanacenter.org

(760) 436-7986 ext. 725

In her role as Bilingual Environmental Educator, Natalie is able to weave together some of her strongest passions: Spanish, the environment, and teaching.
 
Natalie received her undergraduate degree in Spanish from SUNY New Paltz in upstate New York and became involved in environmental activism during her time there. Her work ranged from hands-on labor as a farm apprentice to leading environmental projects on campus and eventually led up to a minor in environmental studies. Natalie is passionate about sustainable local agriculture, reducing waste, and raising awareness and appreciation of the environment. In addition to her environmental activism, Natalie has been tutoring Spanish for many years. She is thrilled to now be working with the community to educate and inspire others about useful and sustainable ways to interact with our environment.
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Environmental Solutions

Please contact (760) 436-7986 ex. 724 for programming inquiries.

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Leia Berube

(she/her/hers)

Manager, Environmental Solutions

leia.berube@solanacenter.org
(760) 436-7986 ex. 701

Leia Berube is the Environmental Solutions Manager at Solana Center, working with local and regional businesses to audit and decrease their waste streams.

Leia grew up in Maine, where she found a passion for sustainability and environmental science at a young age. Following her passion, Leia received her Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Joseph's College of Maine in Environmental Science and minors in Chemistry and Sustainability. While studying, Leia carried out several projects and internships, including a public health internship at Environmental Health Strategy Center/Prevent Harm, a waste management internship at her university, and a sustainable business internship at Manomet. After graduation, Leia completed her Master's of Sustainable Business Administration degree at Unity College. While obtaining her degree, Leia worked with several small businesses to improve their sustainability practices.

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Gurpuran Singh

(she/her/hers)

Environmental Solutions Lead

gurpuran.singh@solanacenter.org
(760) 436-7986 ex. 712

Gurpuran is an Environmental Solutions Lead at Solana Center, focusing on San Diego County’s efforts to implement and educate the community on SB 1383. 

Originally from the SF Bay Area, Gurpuran became interested in the food system after visiting her mother's family on the Navajo reservation and noticing the lack and limitations of nutritional food access for families across the reservation. Before Solana Center, Gurpuran studied Environmental Studies at San Diego State and was a research assistant on a food waste diversion project that diverted food waste into Black Soldier Fly Larvae biomass, which was then used as a sustainable poultry feed for chickens at the university’s campus. Gurpuran also held a project management position at Oatly, the oat milk company, working on a feasibility study to incorporate regeneratively grown oats into their supply chain. At Solana Center, she continues to address hunger and food waste in the food system by assisting businesses in donating edible food and recycling inedible organics.

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Larissa Amaral

(she/her/hers)

Associate Manager of Environmental Solutions

larissa.amaral@solanacenter.org
(760) 436-7986 ex. 718

Larissa is the Associate Manager of Environmental Solutions at Solana Center, working with local and regional businesses to audit and decrease their waste streams.

Larissa started at Solana Center as a high school intern, becoming an Environmental Educator while attending San Diego State University for a BA in Sustainability. Through SDSU, she spent six months studying in Florianopolis, a small island off the southern coast of Brazil, giving her the opportunity to speak with indigenous tribes, visit successful and fruitful community gardens and compost programs, and learn from locals about the coastal flora and fauna. Larissa also worked as Solana Center's Operations Assistant before moving to the Environmental Solutions team and working her way up to the Associate Manager role, where she fights hunger and food waste by connecting businesses to food recovery organizations and organics recycling information.

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Amanda Smith

(she/her/hers)

Environmental Solutions Lead

amanda.smith@solanacenter.org
(760) 436-7986 ex. 717

Amanda graduated with a bachelor’s in Communication Studies and minors in Sustainable Environments and Science & Risk Communication. During her time at Cal Poly SLO, she volunteered with and eventually became the Student Team Manager of their Zero Waste Ambassador Program. After graduation, Amanda began working for Republic Services, a leader in the waste management industry, as a sustainability advisor to businesses and residents in the City of Carlsbad for the implementation of Senate Bill 1383. She then transitioned to sales, working directly with customers to provide waste collection services across San Diego County and introduce organic waste services to residential and multi-family customers. As an Environmental Solutions Lead at Solana Center, Amanda applies her sustainability knowledge and outreach experience to the local implementation of SB 1383 regulations. In addition to her knowledge of organic waste collection, her specific area of focus is edible food recovery and food waste prevention.

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Jackie Bookstein

(she/her/hers)

Environmental Solutions Project Manager

jackie@solanacenter.org
(760) 436-7986 ex. 706

Jackie developed her passion for the environment amid the beautiful redwood forests of Northern California. In a small, environmentally conscious college town where she attended Humboldt State University, it was easy to ride the bandwagon of sustainability. But when she returned home to San Diego, she knew she would have to go the extra mile to keep her love for the natural world healthy and happy. Since then, she has devoted herself to spreading awareness about environmental issues and working with some of San Diego's most passionate advocates to bring about solutions. Every day she finds new excitement and inspiration working with Solana Center's community of wonderful staff and volunteers to make our county an environmentally smarter and kinder place.

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Megan Phelps

(she/her/hers)

Bilingual Environmental Solutions Lead

megan.phelps@solanacenter.org
(760) 436-7986 ex. 721

Megan Phelps is our Bilingual Environmental Solutions Lead.

Megan has had a lifelong passion for the environment, growing up in a multigenerational household of advocates for sustainable agriculture, bikable cities, green buildings, and climate action. Prior to joining Solana Center, Megan championed climate justice through her role as SanDiego350’s Youth Program Coordinator and the UC San Diego Climate Psychology and Action Lab. Born and raised in San Diego, Megan graduated from UC Davis with high honors and a B.S. in Environmental Science and Management. She’s thrilled to be part of a like-minded team working to realize her childhood dream of a zero waste San Diego.

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Liz Murphy

(she/her/hers)

Environmental Solutions Lead

liz.murphy@solanacenter.org (760) 436-7986 ex. 714

After years of witnessing the astronomical amounts of waste created at work and in her community, Liz decided to help solve it. At Solana Center, Liz works with local businesses to analyze and reduce how much food waste they create. As the chef and founder of Santosha Nutrition, a plant-based business focusing on providing education about becoming a positive part of the food system through cooking classes, farm-to-table experiences, and conscious catering, she works with other leaders to transform our local food system on the production end as well. In 2021, she co-founded the nonprofit Sustainability is Sexy and is the host of the SIS podcast, highlighting sustainable resources in San Diego and beyond. 

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Marketing & Engagement

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Liz Davis

(she/her/hers)

Volunteer & Community Engagement Specialist

liz.davis@solanacenter.org

(760) 436-7986 ext. 707

Liz’s passion for environmentalism began in her childhood, where she spent summer vacations hiking and backpacking in the Sierra Nevada mountains. On the drive home from one of these glorious trips, as the family car descended into the heavy smog of the LA basin, she began to cry – and to question why we couldn’t live well without poisoning our planet. A homebody by nature, Liz took a particular interest in how our homes, and the way we live in them, can come into better harmony with our natural world. A turning point came at a presentation given by BauBiologist Mary Cordaro, about this holistic approach to addressing the impact of the built environment on human and planetary health. Liz immediately fan-girled her way into 5 wonderful years as Mary’s assistant. Liz later started Shades of Green Home Organizing, and took on volunteer roles with organizations such as SanDiego350, San Diego Green Building Council and ECOLIFE Conservation. At Solana Center, Liz manages our volunteer program and sustainability store, engaging the community in impactful, uplifting environmental action.

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Kate Kesner

(she/her/hers)

Outreach & Communications Lead

kate.kesner@solanacenter.org

(760) 436-7986 ext. 705

Kate is Solana Center's Outreach & Communications Lead, promoting workshops and educational opportunities and producing photos, graphics, and videos.

Kate has marketed for a food bank, an LGBTQIA* resource center, and an eCommerce company, but she loves leveraging her passion for storytelling to empower people and protect the Earth the most. Kate graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in Global Studies after studying and interning in India and Chile. She is currently pursuing her MFA in Popular Fiction & Publishing, specializing in speculative fiction that engages with the climate crisis.

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Jess Bombar

(she/her/hers)

Marketing Operations Specialist

jessica.bombar@solanacenter.org

 

As the Marketing Operations Specialist on the Solana Center team, Jess assists with strategic messaging, content, and promotional outreach of the organization’s events and programs. This includes digital touchpoints such as website, email, social media channels, and printed flyers and materials. She also produces and films educational videos and other contract-based materials. 

Jess began her career in Fashion Marketing and eCommerce prior to finding her way to a more traditional advertising agency working with brands such as AT&T, MailChimp, Hello Sunshine, Pulte Homes, and Cox. Her favorite campaigns have always been opportunities to work with cause-related brand initiatives. Jess is passionate about inspiring curiosity around the natural world, helping others take environmental action, and soil regeneration. She is thrilled to combine her passion for telling brand stories and strategy into the critical resource conservation and environmental stewardship mission at Solana Center.

Jessica has lived in San Diego since 2018. She graduated from the University of Florida with a BS in Advertising and a minor in Entrepreneurship. When she is not working she can be found growing organic produce and flowers in her garden, composting, or hiking to explore San Diego's native ecology.

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Operations Management

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Michael Murphy

(he/him/his)

Facility Manager

mike@solanacenter.org

In addition to managing our facilities, Mike oversees many of our onsite retail and lending program areas, including the Tool Lending Library, sales of composting accessories, and disposal of electronic waste, fluorescent light bulbs, and used batteries.

Michael joined Solana Center after working for over 20 years in the industrial fabric industry as a contractor, designer, and business owner. He is a native Californian. He volunteers in the community for a variety of environmental causes. At the Solana Center office, you can typically find Mike in the garden, working to make the garden area as educational and enjoyable as possible.

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Nicolle Selby-Thomas

(she/her/hers)

Partnerships & Strategic Support

nicolle@solanacenter.org
(760) 436-7986 ex. 722

Nicolle is Solana Center's Partnerships and Strategic Support contributor. She is responsible for various aspects of Solana Center's grants and programs.

Nicolle's passion continues to be focused on the outdoors and the environment. She currently works with nonprofit organizations whose values are aligned with the environment and outdoors. During her 35-year corporate career, she has held various leadership positions at Qualcomm, General Dynamics Electronics (now BAE Systems), Hughes Aircraft Systems (now Raytheon), and TRW (now Northrop Grumman). Nicolle holds a Master's degree from USC in Systems Management. She is the past chair of the Board of Directors for the Nature Collective and a recent graduate of the UC Master Gardener Program. Nicolle enjoys bringing her background and experiences to contribute to Solana Center's positive impact on the environment.

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Geny Hill

(she/her/hers)

Internal Operations Support

geny.hill@solanacenter.org

(760) 436-7986 ex. 726

Geny supports Solana Center’s internal operations, including contract management.

A native of Chula Vista (and Tijuana), Geny has always been passionate about making an impact in her communities. After earning her undergraduate degree from Stanford University, she returned to San Diego and obtained a Master’s in International Relations and Nonprofit Management from UC San Diego. She has experience working for a wide variety of organizations, including city government, sustainability start-ups, international development consulting, and nonprofits. After volunteering in a composting session with Solana Center, Geny wanted to get more involved and broaden her experience in contract management. She loves working to improve business operations and processes at such a mission-driven nonprofit.

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Board of Directors

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Russell Levan

(he/him/his)

Board President

Although retired Russell is far from done when it comes to working for the environment!
A lifelong student and advocate of environmental issues he has approached his advocacy from a grassroots perspective. He's driven to design environmental programs that make being environmentally friendly "easier and more convenient" for the "less environmentally enthusiastic" members of society! Over the past 50+ years, some of the experiences that have had significant influences in forming Russell's environmental background include multiple outdoor programs: Yosemite Institute, Sierra Institute, Boojum, NOLS (Student and instructor), and working on an organic farm in Oregon. Studying Environmental Studies and Geography in College didn't hurt either! These influences and more formed the basis of Russell's adult life work. 

Russell took the Solana Center Master Composters class over 20 years ago. It led to his getting a job at the Solana Center working for the Recycled Products Cooperative, a program started at Solana Recyclers. 

In the past, Russell enjoyed working on a variety of programs. He helped set up the modern recycling program for the Encinitas Union School District, built a garden program at Paul Ecke Central School, and taught educators how to build and maintain school gardens with the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego. He attended countless meetings and events to help improve recycling efforts in the City of Encinitas including working on the plastic bag ban in Encinitas and the state and even occasionally donned the "bag monster" outfit at local events! One last favorite passion is advocating for and actually planting a LOT of trees. 

Russell currently volunteers for Lumbercycle in San Diego. He's trying to keep the memory of our local old-growth trees alive by using their wood after they are cut down and returning the end products back to the community where they originated. Working with sawyers and craftspeople to make all types of useful and artistic products (benches, tables, sculptures) Russell hopes to perpetuate the legacy of our local urban forest.

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Kristin Larson

(she/her/hers)

Board Vice President

Kristin Larson, AICP and PMP, has over twelve years of experience in the sustainability field, both in public and private sectors and across the country. She is currently the Director of Energy and Sustainability at San Diego State University. Previously, she worked as a Senior Manager for the Center for Sustainable Energy, where she led electric vehicle infrastructure projects. Prior to that, she was the first sustainability planner for the City of Bowie, Maryland. While working there, one of her favorite past projects was creating a pilot food waste collection program. She holds a master's degree in environmental sciences and policy from Johns Hopkins University. In her free time, she enjoys native gardening, wildlife watching, and hiking.

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Mary Ann Stone

(she/her/hers)

Board Treasurer

Mary Ann has a B.A. in Economics from the College of Wooster and an MBA from the University of Michigan. She first put these skills to work during her 10+ years at Hewlett Packard where she worked in Finance/Accounting and Production Management. She volunteered for over 20 years at a local non-profit school where she worked on obtaining non-profit status and use permits, tax returns, bookkeeping, budgeting and financial reporting, and served as Board Treasurer. It was easy to convince her to serve a similar role for Solana Center due to her life-long interest in environmental causes and organic gardening. Her favorite activities include gardening (native plant and organic), backpacking, reading, playing bridge, knitting, and spending time with her husband and two adult children.

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Chris Spielmaker

(she/her/hers)

Board Secretary

After an extensive sales career that took her throughout the Western United States, Ms. Spielmaker joined EDCO in 1991 as a Sales Representative. Her efforts were rewarded with promotions to Recycling Sales Coordinator then Sales Manager then Director of Customer Service. In January 2021, she was named to her current position of Director of Market Development for North San Diego County. With her extensive industry experience in providing superior service to customers, Ms. Spielmaker will lead the effort of implementing and expanding commercial organics recycling programs in North San Diego. Ms. Spielmaker is a Certified Practitioner in Zero Waste Principles and Practices. Participation Includes: Palomar College Foundation Board of Directors, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Volunteer, Palomar YMCA Volunteer Fundraiser, Little League, AYSO and Girl Scout volunteer, Carlsbad 5000 volunteer, and Encinitas, San Marcos, and Vista Chamber of Commerce volunteer.

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David Levy

(he/him/his)

Board Member

David Levy contributes to all IT needs at the Solana Center and loves solving technical challenges. Before joining the Board, he was familiar with the Solana Center and was inspired to support its mission when a fellow Board member and previous co-worker at Kashi asked him to get involved. He is currently employed as an IT Business Partner at a local Health and Technology company, and has an Associate's Degree in Electronics Engineering and extensive and diverse experience in the technology field. David traveled the world testing and deploying wireless communication systems for many years, along with doing some "can you hear me now" testing on cell phones. Among many "MacGyver-type" skills, he once fixed a remote control for a ceiling-mounted overhead projector at a local elementary school...with a paperclip. The teacher was thrilled. David strives to live by Tikkun Olam (tee-KOON, oh-LUHM), a Jewish concept defined by acts of kindness and performed to repair the world. He likes to leave things better than they were. David loves the outdoors and recycling, and dabbles in planting and growing food at home, composting, and worms.

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Connie Adams

(she/her/hers)

Board Member

Connie Adams’ passion for conservation began during her childhood in Salem, Oregon. Money was tight in her family, so her mother Sharon instilled her with an understanding that we humans are wasteful, we create too much garbage — and it’s not only costly to dispose, but harmful to the earth.

Salem did not provide free trash pickup, and it cost hardworking families dearly to pay per can. What to do? Connie’s mom made a deal to split the cost of a single can with a next-door neighbor. To get Connie and her siblings actively involved, Sharon had to make recycling fun. She created a family game to see how little garbage they would end up with at the end of week. They reused, donated, recycled, and composted to minimize trash. This fostered a deeper connection to the earth and one another by working together as neighbors to reduce and conserve. It was a great lesson.

Connie moved to sunny San Diego in 1999, attracted to its abundance of outdoor activities like biking, hiking, boogie boarding, beach walks, and beautiful sunsets. But she recalls a shocking moment that shook her to her conservationist core: amidst all this natural beauty, she witnessed a driver roll down his window and brazenly throw an oversized cup with a lid and a straw out onto the road. (If only he’d had a mother like Sharon Adams!) These two experiences planted a seed in Connie that would grow to a desire to take an active role in recycling and conservation — leading her to the Solana Center.

In business, Connie has a background in “Employer Best Practices” for a multitude of topics involving employee benefits, HR, and insurance. Connie earned a bachelor’s degree in Business and Finance-law from Portland State University. She continued her path as a life learner and educator by earning the CEBS designation from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania as well as the Professional in Human Resources – California® (PHRca®) through the Human Resource Standards Institute. Connie enjoys public speaking which she calls “Edu-tainment” - speaking to educate, inform and inspire. She has a special aptitude for breaking down complicated legal-speak into training components that are digestible in small bites.  

For fun, Connie loves organic vegetable and fruit gardening, cycling, walks on the beach, singing and playing ukulele, and has performed in several North County entertainment venues with her partner Martin. Connie wants to give back to this wonderful community. She believes the Solana Center is the perfect investment in the future — an outlet to give back today in hopes of many more beautiful tomorrows. 

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Interested in joining our Board?

Contact director@solanacenter.org with details on your background, relevant community involvement and how you see yourself fitting within our organization!