Our dedicated staff and board members protect the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and cultivate an appreciation of this land.
Executive Director
Operations Director
Retail Director
Communications & Marketing Director
Finance Director
Corporate & Government Affairs
Education Director
Office Manager
Land Program Manager
Education Coordinator
Community Engagement Coordinator
A native of Massachusetts, I spent my adult life bicoastal — New England/California. My career was in university communications, at my alma mater Boston College, San Diego State, and UC Berkeley. I also completed 20 years of service in the Navy, most of them in the reserves, retiring as a Commander. I moved to San Diego County in 2012, residing in Fallbrook. During my pre-move reconnoitering, I shared with a local resident a photo of my then four-year-old daughter next to a cholla, an iconic family photo, and told him of my interest in the desert. He told me he was a member of the ABF board. A couple of years later, so was I.
I am a southern California native with a lifelong connection to nature and a deep commitment to conservation. Raised in Vista, near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, I was introduced to the natural world by my parents Jeanne and Eugene Mielcarek, both passionate conservationists. This early exposure fostered a lasting appreciation for the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, my very special place throughout life. In April 2024, I earned my California Naturalist Certification through ABF and University of California. I bring to the Board my expertise in data analysis, strategic planning, and financial oversight to support the foundation’s mission of protecting and preserving the Park’s natural beauty, wilderness landscapes, ecological significance, wildlife, and cultural heritage. Now retired, I have over 30 years of experience in insurance, business intelligence, and risk management, specializing in data analytics and process optimization. With my husband Brian, a longtime public educator, we have lived in Palm Desert since 2002 and locally enjoy wilderness hiking, mountain biking, and ABF-sponsored events.
From 1995 to 2010, I was the manager/executive director of ABF. During those years ABF acquired Sentenac Canyon and Cienega, and the ranches—Vallecito, Lucky 5, Mason Valley, and Tulloch. I came to love the Anza-Borrego Desert, a landscape vastly different from the lakes and woods of my native Minnesota. The blessing I value most about Anza-Borrego, in addition to its raw beauty, is “stillness.” My love of history and mysteries has evolved into a passion for genealogical research of my family tree.
I am a San Diego native and financial advisor passionate about preserving Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and advocating for environmental education. My experience brings valuable financial expertise to ABF, and I am committed to ensuring ABF’s resources are managed effectively for future generations. In addition to my work with ABF, I volunteer with local community organizations and hold certifications as a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor. My deep appreciation for nature has driven my passion for hiking and exploring the Park’s stunning landscapes since childhood. I am dedicated to protecting the Park’s unique geology, flora, and fauna.
I am an educator, lifelong learner, and passionate advocate for sustainability and environmental education. My career has taken me across the world, from teaching in South Korea and Cambodia to leading international schools in Cambodia, Rwanda, and Austria. Now, as the Vice President of Education at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, I develop strategic initiatives that inspire learning and engagement in conservation. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park holds a special place in my heart; its vast, rugged beauty fuels my love for learning with, in, for, and from nature. When I’m not exploring tidepools or the desert, I’m adventuring with my husband and our sweet pups.
Originally from Michigan, I moved to Borrego Springs at the age of 24 to work for the Borrego Sun newspaper. One of my beats was Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and I enjoyed writing about the Bighorn sheep count, the annual Christmas Bird Count, the Hawk count, and numerous challenges facing the Park. I won awards for my investigative series on the Sunrise Powerlink–– a proposal that would have marred the desert landscape forever. That battle led me to pursue a career in law, and I left Borrego Springs for law school in 2011. I’m currently an Attorney in San Diego and am proud to be an ABF trustee.
After a long career in information technology in various management roles, I retired. My husband, Tom and I have traveled extensively in the last ten years and spent each winter “season” in Borrego Springs. We have ridden our bikes across the USA and in Europe. We enjoy cycling, hiking, going to new places, entertaining friends, and spending time with family. Anza Borrego Desert State Park is my happy place and I love giving back to the Park.
I have been visiting Anza-Borrego Desert State Park since I was nine years old. I grew up discovering the desert with my family and as an adult, my love for the desert has deepened resulting in my passion for desert photography and exploring all that the park has to offer. I am a board member for the San County Office of Education, representing District 4, which includes a large portion of inland north San Diego County and work for LEGO® Education. As a trustee, I work to ensure that future generations will enjoy and preserve the park.
My late husband Jerry and I discovered Anza Borrego while bird watching in 1990. Two days eventually became four months here each year where the beauty and mysteries of the desert and its inhabitants continue to enchant me. When not in Borrego, I live in SW Florida at the edge of the Everglades. My professional expertise has centered on Standards, Certification and Accreditation. I currently head a consulting group that works with organizations throughout the world in this field. This has included designing the accreditation system for the Land Trust Alliance, to encourage and evaluate best practices in land use and conservation.
In my professional life, I've spent over 16 years in software development across different industries. In contrast, much of my free time is dedicated to exploring the natural world. As much as I enjoy hiking in chaparral or exploring the local mountains, I feel that Anza Borrego is a very special place. The sheer size and accessibility of the Park are unlike any other in the region. The rugged landscape, endless vistas, and hidden oases offer unique opportunities to explore. I feel that supporting the Anza Borrego Foundation is the most impactful way to support the Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
I am a third generation desert enthusiast. My father, the late Dr. Christopher Latham, helped with the guided off-roading program with ABF. I hail from San Diego, but have lived in central Texas for the last 15 years. I started my graduate career as a marine microbiologist at UCSD and through incredibly circuitous channels got my Ph.D. studying the microbes that live inside the stomach of cows, I went from surf to turf. My passion for microbiology led to experimenting with black garlic production which eventually turned into my business The Black Garlic Company which can be found in 100s of grocery stores. I also fill my time fixing up old houses in my neighborhood and my three girls Sybil, Siggi, and Sabine (with baby number four due in fall 2025). My husband, Robert Sheets, founded Odin Heavy Industries while mostly an indoor person, my love of the outdoors and his experience with Scouting America is slowly swaying him. In our 20s, my best friend Samantha Young and I took every opportunity we had to go hiking, camping, and wanderlusting in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. I’m so excited to be working with her and ABF 20 years after we started our desert adventures. .
From my earliest childhood family memories, to my teenage years in the Boy Scouts, being active in the outdoors shaped who I am. My first visit to Anza Borrego was March 2017, during the super bloom, and I've been hooked ever since. Professionally, I'm a high school science educator, teaching mainly biology and earth science for nearly 3 decades. Currently I'm on special assignment as the district's Health Pathway Coordinator, overseeing the career development programs at eight of our high schools. I am a CPR instructor, American Red Cross wilderness first aid trained, and Stop the Bleed certified. I have a passion for serving as an ambassador for our wonderful desert, and hope that I can encourage others to work toward its preservation.
I am a California native, born and raised in Los Angeles and my husband and I became San Diego transplants in 2014. We discovered Anza-Borrego Desert State Park during the pandemic, and I absolutely fell in love with the vast beauty of this special place. Professionally, I am a former municipal executive with over 17 years of public service, which included oversight of parks and open spaces – which led me to a great appreciation for the work that goes into maintaining and protecting our parklands. I recently completed the California Naturalist Certification hosted by the Anza-Borrego Foundation, in the Spring Cohort for 2026. I am deeply committed to conservation, responsible recreation, and protecting the desert’s unique landscapes and wildlife for future generations. I hope that my service on the board reflects my dedication to public stewardship and my personal passion for preserving places that inspire connection, reflection, and discovery. My favorite spots in the park are Font’s Point and the Mine Wash Kumeyaay Village. When I am not exploring the desert, I am enjoying time with my husband and our pup.
