Morning Welcome Speakers
Rachel Norton, Executive Director, California State Parks Foundation
Rachel Norton is the Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. She started her career as a reporter for Reuters, later working at The New York Times and CNET: The Computer Network. A passionate advocate for parks and outdoor education, Rachel worked for the San Francisco Parks Alliance from July 2013 through April 2017, most recently serving as Director of External Affairs and interim Chief Executive Officer. She joined the California State Parks Foundation in May 2017.
Katherine Toy, Deputy Secretary for Access at California Natural Resources Agency
Katherine Toy joined the California Natural Resources Agency in January 2022 as the Deputy Secretary for Access, leading the Agency’s efforts to expand equitable access to the public lands, museums and historic spaces operated and managed by the agency for all Californians. Katherine also serves as the Agency’s key point of contact with the California Department of Parks and Recreation to support the Department as it responds to emerging challenges and opportunities.
Senator John Laird
Senator John Laird was elected to the State Senate on November 3, 2020. Prior to his Senate service, Laird served as Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency under Governor Jerry Brown from January 5, 2011, until January 7, 2019. In 2002, he was elected to the State Assembly to represent the 27th District, which included portions of Monterey, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties, and was reelected in 2004 and 2006. While serving the maximum three terms in the Assembly, Laird authored 82 bills that were signed into law. In 1981, Laird was elected to the Santa Cruz City Council, and served nine years until term limits ended his council service in 1990. He was a two-term mayor from 1983 to 1984 and from 1987 to 1988, making him one of the first openly gay mayors to serve in the United States.
California Political Climate Panelists
Keith Cialino, Ph.D., Senior Consultant, Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee
Keith Cialino, Ph.D. is a Senior Consultant with the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, and has worked in the Legislature since 2018. Prior to moving to Sacramento, he worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program in New England, and completed graduate fellowships with the NOAA Fisheries Office of International Affairs (DC area) and the U.S. EPA New England Regional Office (Boston). Keith holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and a B.A. in Environmental Science from LaSalle University in Philadelphia.
Elena Ortiz, Legislative Director, EEC
Elena Ortiz serves as the firm’s Legislative Director and delivers strategic legislative and budgetary support for clients at EEC. As Legislative Director, Elena has successfully advocated for legislation protecting wildlife connectivity and historic budget investments in climate adaptation and resilience, fish and wildlife protection, and forest restoration. Before joining EEC, Elena worked in the office of Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Kevin Mullin where she wrote bill language, convened stakeholder meetings, and developed political and marketing strategy for multiple climate resilience bonds. In addition, she staffed all budget issues related to resources and climate.
Catherine Baxter, Consultant, California State Senate in the Natural Resources and Water Committee
Catherine Baxter is a consultant for the California State Senate in the Natural Resources and Water Committee. She covers natural resources issues for the committee, including relating to parks, outdoor recreation, access, conservation and the 30x30 initiative, natural and working lands, climate adaptation and resilience, forest and watershed health, and the California and local Conservation Corps. She also covers local and regional natural resources entities, such as resource conservation districts, land trusts, and the state’s 10 conservancies. Prior to her work in this committee, Catherine worked for the California Department of Conservation as a legislative manager, climate and conservation policy specialist, and legislative analyst. She also worked as a field representative for former State Senator Lois Wolk. Catherine has a B.S. from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an M.A. from Seton Hall University.
Rally Speakers
Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris
Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris represents California’s 74th Assembly District, which includes Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, and portions of Irvine and Huntington Beach. During the afternoon rally, California State Parks Foundation will honor Asssemblymember Petrie-Norris with the 2022 Legislative Champion Award. She is a businesswoman and community leader who was elected to the State Assembly in 2018. In her first term, Cottie secured millions of dollars in funding for projects in this district and introduced important legislation to combat sea level rise, improve services for veterans, and help small businesses. She serves as Chair of Assembly’s Accountability and Administrative Review Committee and Chair of the Select Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Assemblymember Petrie-Norris lives in Laguna Beach with her husband, Colin, their two sons Dylan and Hayden, and their rescue dog Flounder.