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Structure & Leadership
Learn more about our unique hybrid model and organizational format
Ecotrust is a dynamic organization. We bring together the flexibility of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization alongside for-profit subsidiaries, and for-purpose properties to achieve our mission, build a more resilient business model, and achieve resilience for our region. Through leadership, collaboration, and this diverse array of resources, our projects, buildings, and investments are activated to bring about a more just, prosperous, and climate smart future.
Ecotrust staff, Fall 2025. Photo credit: Kim Nguyen
Fostering Leadership
At Ecotrust, we foster leadership at every level of our organization. Our Board of Directors manages our Executive Director who collaborates and consults staff leadership teams to direct our programmatic and organizational initiatives. Our properties and investment vehicles are guided by the leadership of the Natural Capital Holdings Board.
We are a multiracial organization that centers equity and utilize anti-racist framing through our hiring practices, internal management, and programmatic strategies to recognize and support the leadership of individuals and communities most impacted by systemic oppression, inside our organization and beyond. Read more about our efforts at Equity at Ecotrust.
Ecotrust staff and board members gather at the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) for an Earth Day garden volunteer event in spring 2025. Photo credit: Jason Hill
Ecotrust board member Cat Goughnour (left) speaks to Ecotrust staff while Executive Director Ronda Rutledge looks on. Photo credit: FLI Social
In addition to our Staff and Board, we are honored to have six board committees.
Executive Committee
Staffed by Ronda Rutledge
Megan Colwell, Chair
Bobbie Conner
Michael Dyer
Kay Little, Jr.
Shima Salehi
Gabe Sheoships
Capital & Fundraising Committee
Staffed by Patrick Tran
Bobbie Conner, Chair
Jaime Arredondo
Ali Davis
Michael Dyer
Finance & Audit Committee
Staffed by Brian Christiansen
Shima Salehi, Chair
Rob Allen
Lisa Mensah
Esther Park
Operations & Nominations Committee
Staffed by Ronda Rutledge
Michael Dyer, Chair
Eric Van Thorre
Natural Capital Holdings Board
Staffed by Tess Blessman & Emma Peha
Kay Little, Jr., Chair
Ali Davis
Shauna Noah
Ronda Rutledge*
Dave Tovey
CDE Advisory Board
Staffed by Olivia Rebanal, Neal Sacon, Lisa Shimabukuro, & Noah Enelow
Pia Chock
Ed Davis
Ron Grzywinski
Susan Masten
Antone Minthorn
Grant Munro
Casey Pearlman
Dee Randall
Johnny Sundstrom
Jonelle Yearout
CDE Investments Committee
Staffed by Olivia Rebanal, Neal Sacon, Lisa Shimabukuro, & Noah Enelow
Ron Grzywinski
Olivia Rebanal
Neal Sacon
Gabe Sheoships
Activating Resources
Over the course of more than 30 years, Ecotrust has built and stewarded properties and investment vehicles to expand our nonprofit’s mission-driven work and to support partners who are creating economic, social, and environmental well being in our region.
Today, we continue leveraging these resources to build regional resilience in the context of a changing climate, support socially and ecologically sound lands and waters management, and make meaningful progress toward building intergenerational wealth. These include:
Community Investments*
Endowment Funds*
Natural Capital Center*
New Markets Tax Credits
The Redd on Salmon Street*
*Governed by the Natural Capital Holdings Board of Managers
We invite you to share your interest and ideas about how these resources might support your work or community via our Partner with us form.
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