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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 board and staff, Summer 2024. Photo credit: FLI Social
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 an increasingly multiracial organization. We center 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
Cat Goughnour, Chair
Megan Colwell
Kay Little, Jr.
Afton Walsh
Capital & Fundraising Committee
Staffed by Lily Abood & Ronda Rutledge
Afton Walsh, Chair
Jaime Arredondo
Ali Davis
Michael Dyer
Finance & Audit Committee
Staffed by Nathan Kadish & Ronda Rutledge
Megan Colwell, Chair
Rob Allen
Bobbie Conner
Lisa Mensah
Esther Park
Shima Salehi
Natural Capital Holdings Board
Staffed by Nathan Kadish
Kay Little, Jr., Chair
Ali Davis
Shauna Noah
Ronda Rutledge*
Dave Tovey
CDE Advisory Board
Staffed by Olivia Rebanal, Neal Sacon, & Lisa Shimabukuro
Pia Chock
Ed Davis
Ron Grzywinski
Cobi Lewis
Susan Masten
Antone Minthorn
Grant Munro
Dee Randall
Amber Schulz-Oliver
Johnny Sundstrom
CDE Investments Committee
Staffed by Olivia Rebanal, Neal Sacon, & Lisa Shimabukuro
Ron Grzywinski
Nathan Kadish
Olivia Rebanal
Neal Sacon
Amber Schulz-Oliver
Gabe Sheopships
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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