Our Team
Executive Director & Watershed Watchers Program CoordinatorSirena is the Executive Director and Watershed Watchers Program Coordinator. She has a B.S. in Environmental Science and an M.S. in Natural Resource Ecology & Management. Prior…
Sirena Lao
Executive Director & Watershed Watchers Program Coordinator
Sirena is the Executive Director and Watershed Watchers Program Coordinator. She has a B.S. in Environmental Science and an M.S. in Natural Resource Ecology & Management. Prior to joining SFBWS, she has held various positions studying birds in the lab and in the field, as well as conducting environmental education and outreach programs with other nonprofit organizations. She brings this experience to Watershed Watchers programs at the Environmental Education Center in Alviso, hosting a variety of activities that bring people to the Refuge and encourage taking action to help protect our watersheds.
Peninsula Programs Coordinator & Restoration EducatorAja is the Peninsula Programs Coordinator. She has 15 years of experience working with nonprofit organizations educating the public and interpreting the natural sciences in outdoor environments….
Aja Yee
Peninsula Programs Coordinator & Restoration Educator
Aja is the Peninsula Programs Coordinator. She has 15 years of experience working with nonprofit organizations educating the public and interpreting the natural sciences in outdoor environments. Her enthusiasm to foster a connection with communities and promote environmental stewardship is reflected in the programs she developed along the Peninsula.
Wildlife Biology AssociateDestiny is the Wildlife Biology Associate working at the Warm Springs unit of the Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge. She is a graduate from Cal State East…
Destiny Mendoza
Wildlife Biology Associate
Destiny is the Wildlife Biology Associate working at the Warm Springs unit of the Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge. She is a graduate from Cal State East Bay with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and a concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Her love for nature was sparked by going on camping trips in the Sierra Nevada mountains with her family growing up as she admired and appreciated the beautiful scenery. After working at the Pollination Ecology Lab in her undergrad, her passion for conserving wildlife deepened and her mind was set on pursuing a career in conservation. She is excited to learn more about the unique vernal pool species along with different wildlife monitoring techniques in her time at Warm Springs.
Interpretive AssociateErika graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in Environmental Science and a minor in Education. Combining her love of nature and teaching children, Erika held several undergraduate summer…
Erika Bessler
Interpretive Associate
Erika graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in Environmental Science and a minor in Education. Combining her love of nature and teaching children, Erika held several undergraduate summer camp and environmental education positions that solidified her skills in public speaking, program coordination, and interpretation. Post-grad, she excitedly returned to her Bay Area home to intern with San Mateo County Parks as an Interpretive Specialist, where she led classroom programs, hikes, and outreach events. Erika served as our Summer Programs Coordinator, helping plan and implement the 2025 Marsh-in Summer Camp, and is now continuing as one of our Interpretive Associates.
Opportunities
Thanks for your interest in working with us! We do not have any open positions at this time. Check back for updates!
