Michelle is a former firefighter who has transitioned into a gun safety advocate. She collaborates with government and local leaders to secure funding for gun violence prevention and build coalitions in communities affected by violence. An avid hiker and former professional bike racer, Michelle is also a NICA-certified coach for a local high school mountain biking team. Her love for Mount Diablo inspired her to take action to improve the quality of its trails, ensuring more visitors can safely enjoy this special place. As a district delegate to the California Democratic Party, Michelle brings valuable policy access and legislative advocacy experience.

Carina is a passionate backpacker, bikepacker, mountain biker, and botanist based in Berkeley, CA. Her love for Mount Diablo began in high school when she joined the San Ramon Valley Mountain Bike Club. With geologist parents who instilled in her a deep appreciation for nature and a commitment to community service, Carina believes that access to outdoor spaces fosters a reciprocal and loving relationship between human communities and their floral and faunal counterparts. She is enthusiastic about advocating for access for all trail user groups while also supporting the protection of our incredible natural environment.

Cavine, East Bay Area born and raised, is an active trail runner, biker and yogi. Mount Diablo and its extensive trail systems have been an essential tool for her ultramarathon training. Leveraging her extensive service with Volunteers for Outdoor California (V-O-Cal), Cavine has optimized the registration and crew assignment processes for Dig Days at Mount Diablo, which helps ensure a fun and rewarding experience for our volunteers. Through her passion for trail work, she seeks to create and maintain safer trails and access for all trail users.

Dan grew up in the East Bay, where his appreciation for Mount Diablo State Park began in high school while trail running in Mitchell Canyon. He continues to nurture his passion for outdoor recreation by hiking with family, walking his dogs in the Walnut Creek Open Space, and mountain biking with friends. With a strong background in finance, Dan has held leadership positions at technology companies and served as the auditor for the Walnut Creek Education Foundation for seven years. His dedication to nonprofit work and conservation underscores his commitment to preserving natural spaces for all stakeholders. 

Gintautas, a native of Lithuania, resides and works in the East Bay. For over 15 years, he has been volunteering with various park and trail service organizations. Favorite activities include hiking, camping, and backpacking with his family. Gintautas is enthusiastic about sharing his energy and time in the most effective manner, embracing the model of shared stewardship. As an official VIPP volunteer with California State Parks, he is passionate about promoting greater access to outdoor activities for all user groups and abilities.

Steve is an accomplished attorney for a biotechnology company. He lives near the base of Mount Diablo State Park and has ridden his bike to the top over 50 times and counting. Steve also enjoys snowboarding, swimming, and family hikes with his wife, daughter and sheepadoodle. He loves how Mount Diablo fosters a sense of community and gratitude for local open space, bringing people together from all walks of life.

Jesse is a dedicated scientist, ultra runner, and climber who has spent countless hours exploring the trails of Mount Diablo. Based in the Bay Area, he brings both an athlete's appreciation for well-built trails and an Indigenous perspective on land stewardship. Jesse’s stewardship and leadership contributions at MDTA stem from a belief that accessible trails create opportunities for everyone to develop meaningful relationships with outdoor spaces while ensuring their preservation for future generations.

Luis is an avid mountain biker and outdoor enthusiast. With over 30 years of experience as an airline pilot based in SFO, he has spent the most recent years dedicated to international flights. Luis enjoys traveling with his family and, during layovers, he loves running and exploring the local food scene. For the past 25 years, Mount Diablo has been his go-to destination. Luis hopes his work with MDTA will help more people discover and appreciate all that the park has to offer.

A long-time cyclist, backpacker, and steelhead angler, Mark has two decades of experience as a Wall Street investment analyst. He excels in identifying value-creation opportunities through critical research, problem-solving, and collaboration. Mark founded Mount Diablo Trails Alliance, driven by the belief that community and government can achieve balanced conservation and recreation goals together. He appreciates California State Parks' support of the Shared Stewardship model and highlights the strong volunteer turnout at Dig Days as proof that trails are common ground.

Mike is an exercise physiologist operating his own business, Alta Health and Performance Solutions, @altahps, providing cardiometabolic athlete performance testing and endurance coaching. For over three decades, Mike has contributed his skills and experience in trail restoration to WC Open Space, EBRPD, Tahoe Rim Trail, Western States Trail, CA State Parks, and MDTA. Mike derives much joy, satisfaction, and purpose by offering his time and energy to the maintenance and restoration of Mount Diablo’s trails, as a means to promote and support physical activity for the health and wellness of the community.