Our team is the heart of our mission to enhance the resilience of Eastern Sierra landscapes and communities. Composed of dedicated professionals with deep expertise in forest health, wildfire management, and environmental science, our team brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to every project.
Our Staff
Executive Director
Laura Beardsley
Laura Beardsley has dedicated her career to supporting nonprofit organizations that engage communities in exploring the natural world. A Bryn Mawr graduate, she moved to the Eastern Sierra in 2012 and has led Friends of the Inyo and Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra. She enjoys hiking, skiing, and biking with her husband and dog.
Finance and Administration Director
Ryan Bobik
Ryan has over 10 years of experience in financial management, strategic planning, and operations across sectors, including startups, high-growth private companies, multinational public organizations, and mission-driven nonprofits. With a proven track record of driving efficiency and enhancing financial performance, Ryan brings expertise in budget optimization, compliance, and operational strategy.
Environmental planning program director
Tracy Misiewicz
Tracy joined the Whitebark Institute in 2025 as the Environmental Planning Program Director. She holds a PhD in biology and brings extensive experience in science communication and project management. As a Bishop resident, she’s excited to support projects that benefit the diverse communities and landscapes of the Eastern Sierra. When she’s not working, Tracy can be found running around the mountains with her two children, spying on sage-grouse, and pretending to be an artist.
Forest Health Program DIRECTOR
Alexandra Urza
Ali joined Whitebark in 2025, after spending nearly two decades supporting land stewardship in various roles. She believes the growing threats of fire and climate change can be tackled only through bold action and creative partnerships. As a research ecologist, Ali led studies on ecosystem responses to wildfire and drought and worked closely with land managers to evaluate treatment effectiveness. She is excited to apply her scientific background to work that directly benefits forests and people across the region.
Forest Health Program Manager
Eric Vane
Eric is a certified silviculturist with extensive experience in forest restoration and fuels reduction. Raised in Michigan, he developed a passion for the outdoors early on and later earned a degree in anthropology and a master’s in forestry. After working as an archaeologist and on various conservation crews across the West, he spent 2012–2025 with the Forest Service in the Sierra Nevada, Colorado Rockies, and Southwest. Outside of work, Eric enjoys rock climbing, mountain biking, snowboarding, and backpacking with his pup.
Community eNGAGEMENT senior Manager, wildlife biologist
Claire Galaway
Claire joined the Whitebark Institute in 2022 as a Wildlife Biologist for the ESCCRP. With a graduate degree in wildlife conservation, she’s worked in Australia, California, and Idaho. After backpacking the John Muir Trail, Claire made the Eastern Sierra her home. She enjoys trail running, cycling, and cross-country skiing.
Senior Environmental Planner
Jessie O’Dell
Jessie joined the Whitebark Institute in 2022 as an Environmental Planner for the ESCCRP. Growing up in the Eastern Sierra, she developed an interest in wildfire and climate adaptation after the 2015 Round Fire affected her community. Jessie enjoys skiing, sailing, and mountain adventures when she’s not focused on NEPA, CEQA, and equitable planning.
Environmental Specialist, Forester & Hydrologist
Melissa Boyd
Melissa joined the Whitebark Institute in 2022 as an Environmental Specialist for the ESCCRP. Captivated by the Eastern Sierra during her time with the Mono Lake Committee, she later earned a biology graduate degree and researched climate impacts. Melissa enjoys rock climbing, sushi, and hiking with her two dachshunds.
Project Manager
Rachel Drattler
Rachel joined Whitebark Institute in August 2023 to support Forest Health Implementation within the ESCCRP. A Northeast native, she moved west to work as a wilderness guide and outdoor educator. With a degree in Human Ecology and nine years in the non-profit sector, Rachel is excited to contribute to the Eastern Sierra’s resilience. She enjoys hiking, snow, scenic views, and roasting coffee with her dog, Miso.
Project Manager
Sarah Hoff-Phillips
Sarah joined Whitebark Institute in 2022 as Project Manager for forest health in the ESCCRP. After falling in love with the Eastern Sierra in 2005, she moved to Mammoth in 2010 and worked for USGS in environmental compliance. She now focuses on forestry and enjoys skiing, backpacking, climbing, and coffee.
Environmental planner
Jacqueline White
Jackie joined the Whitebark Institute in 2025 and brings nine years of experience in environmental conservation and planning. With a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, she has worked in varying capacities and is excited to bring her diverse knowledge of local ecosystems, policy and planning to Whitebark Institute. Born and raised in Mammoth Lakes and currently residing in Big Pine, Jackie spends her free time tramping, skiing, and admiring the flora and fauna in the mountains and surrounding ecosystems.
Project Manager
David Dorval
David is an environmental scientist specializing in forest health and management. He earned his B.S. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (2014) and his M.S. in Natural Resources from Cal Poly Humboldt (2026), focusing on tree physiology and forest resilience. He has worked with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Park Service in Yosemite National Park on restoration, fuels reduction, prescribed fire, and wildfire response. Most recently, he led research on tree health and failure risk. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, backpacking, snowboarding, fly fishing, and bonsai.
Outreach & Education Coordinator
Heidi Porras
Heidi is a bilingual conservation professional from Mexico with expertise in marine resource management and outdoor education. Living in the Eastern Sierra since 2020, she is the Outreach and Education Coordinator at the Whitebark Institute, focusing on community engagement. In her free time, Heidi enjoys exploring the Sierra Nevada’s natural beauty.
Administrative Specialist
Porscha McRobbie
Porscha joined Whitebark Institute in 2024 as an Administrative Specialist. She holds a doctorate in Physics and brings over a decade of experience in data analysis. Inspired by her work at Whitebark, she is currently training with the Wheeler Crest Fire Department to earn her Firefighter I certification as a volunteer. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, spending time with her partner, and enjoying all that the Eastern Sierra has to offer.
Project Coordinator
Carl Rumpp IV
Carl, originally from Manhattan Beach, CA, has deep connections to both the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra’s eastside. With a background in botanical fieldwork, particularly in the Eastern Sierra and Owens Valley, he contributes to the ESCCRP’s monitoring and plant population mapping. Carl enjoys mountain biking, backpacking, and rock scrambling.
Outreach & Education Coordinator
Crystal Medhurst
Crystal serendipitously discovered the Eastern Sierra in 2003 when a snowstorm closed roads and detoured her to Mammoth Lakes. A through hiker of the High Sierra, she met who would become her husband above the Convict Lake trail and is now deeply rooted in the community with two little adventurers. Dedicated to contributing to positive change, she has found fulfillment working in community engagement projects for environmental sustainability and wildfire resilience since 2022.
field technician
Isaac Roter
Isaac’s passion for healthy forest ecosystems was born in the verdant temperate rainforests of a small, rainy island in Washington. Since earning his B.S. in Environmental Science from Western Washington University (and Quest University) in 2022, he has honed his skills in the field operations of ecological forest management across the PNW. After first visiting the Eastern Sierra as a traveling rock climber in 2023, Isaac is honored to return and contribute his passion and experience in service of this beautiful landscape.
field technician
Ruthie Griggs
Ruthie grew up in the high desert of Reno, NV, where she earned a Bachelors degree in Environmental Science at UNR. Since then, she’s worked a variety of field-based outdoor jobs, primarily in fire ecology/fire effects monitoring and wildland firefighting with the National Park Service in Grand Teton and North Cascades. She is excited to pivot towards improving community and ecosystem resilience to wildfires. Outside of work, she enjoys rock climbing, bikepacking, and reading.
Communications manager
Katie Russ
A California native, Katie holds a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a master’s in Natural Resources Management from the University of Idaho. While she brings a robust background in strategic communications, she fell in love with land stewardship fieldwork while living abroad in New Zealand. Today, her work centers on the intersection of collaborative land management and mission-driven storytelling—though you can find her jumping at any opportunity to explore the outdoors by foot, bike or boat.
Forestry program advisor
Janet Hatfield
Janet was instrumental in launching ESCCRP in 2020 to address growing risks to local forests and communities. Her passion for healthy forests stems from an early career shaped by the power of good fire, inspiring mentors, and formative experiences. With a background in forestry and GIS, she has spent the past 30 years in various natural resource roles, all focused on turning talk into action. Janet now serves as an advisor to Whitebark’s next generation of leaders and as an adjunct professor at the local community college.
Community Engagement Coordinator
Annie Crowley
Annie joined Whitebark’s Community Engagement team in 2024, after a decade of seasonal migrations between the western Sierra, Tuolumne Meadows, and Eastside. With a degree in Environmental Studies and experience as an interpretive guide and NPS wilderness ranger, she now finds purpose connecting with others on our place within this fire adapted ecosystem. She spends her free time gardening, climbing, and making pottery.
Our Board of Directors
Board Chair
Don Chambers
Don retired after forty-four years at Esri as Director of Consulting Services, designing GIS systems for global clients. Now living in Bishop, he volunteers with nonprofits and chairs the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association board. Don also co-founded the UCR Geographer’s Scholarship. He enjoys hiking, kayaking, flyfishing, and skiing with his wife.
Board chair
Jerry Keir
Jerry Keir is the co-founder and former CEO of the Great Basin Institute, with 25 years of experience in interdisciplinary research and field studies across the Mountain West, Central Pacific Mexico, and Costa Rica. He has led collaborative conservation projects and managed $145MM in grants. Now a consultant, Jerry supports forestry operations and NEPA planning. He enjoys roaming his backyard forest and desert in Reno with his spouse Maria and their children, Amaya and Alejandro.
Vice Chair
Bruce Medhurst
Bruce has been on Whitebark’s board of directors since its inception. He moved to Mammoth Lakes in 2001 to work at UC Santa Barbara’s Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Lab. With a background in Aquatic Toxicology and a Master’s in Biology, Bruce currently serves as Laboratory Supervisor at Mammoth Community Water District. He enjoys skiing, backpacking, camping, and playing music.
Secretary
Rachel Leiterman, Esq.
Rachel joined the Whitebark board in spring 2023. A member of the California Bar since 1999, she practiced intellectual property law for 19 years before transitioning to work as a wilderness ranger for the Inyo National Forest. In 2022, she became a housing attorney for California Indian Legal Services. In her free time, Rachel cares for a herd of horses and mules.
TREASURER
Amanda Serenyi
Amanda has worked with nonprofits in roles ranging from auditing and consulting to accounting and philanthropy support. After stepping away from accounting to focus on writing, she and her husband relocated to the Eastern Sierra during the pandemic. Amanda is eager to apply her experience to support her community. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, solving crosswords, and exploring trails with running shoes, a bike, or XC skis.
Board member
Allan Pietrasanta
Allan is a retired businessman and longtime community activist living in Bishop, CA. For more than 20 years, he owned and operated ABCOM / Buttermilk Mountain Works, a light sewing manufacturing business based in Bishop. He also served as National Sales Manager for the J. Rousek Toy and Pencil Company for 17 years. Drawn to the mountains both on foot and on skis, Allan’s many backcountry trips have given him a deep appreciation for the High Sierra and surrounding landscape, fueling his commitment to working with local communities while protecting the Range of Light so both can thrive.