Board of Directors

Our organization is fortunate to have a passionate and forward-thinking Board of Directors who provide invaluable leadership and vision. These individuals, committed to our mission, bring a wealth of diverse expertise and a shared dedication to transforming Los Angeles into a greener, more sustainable city. Get to know the individuals steering our journey towards a brighter, more eco-conscious future.

  • Chloé Renée Ziegler is an expert in Mediterranean landscapes and California Native Plants. She spent her childhood in Santiago de Chile, her adolescence in Southern France, and much of her adult life in Los Angeles. Her passion for drought tolerant gardening is paralleled by a strong commitment to environmental causes, especially the safeguarding of the fauna and flora of native ecosystems.

    Her community activism contributions include: membership on the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (including as Boulevards Director and as co-chair of the Housing and Homelessness Committee); serving on the community-led Take Back the Boulevard group; being President of the Collective Eagle Rock Beautiful; a member of Beautiful Boulevard, working closely with Metro and CD14 on public transit improvements; and serving as Eagle Rock’s liaison with the City (Streets LA and CD14) for the planting of native and Mediterranean trees along Colorado Blvd.

    Chloé has a master’s degree from the Sorbonne in Paris, and has directed art galleries in France and Los Angeles.

  • Michael is a TV writer/producer, director and author, a non-invasive species originally from Philadelphia. He is blown away by the impact NET has had throughout Los Angeles, and is thrilled to have been able to help plant trees at Ascot Hills Park, Kenneth Hahn Park and his local fave-- Flat Top-- hanging with the hawks, owls, crows and coyotes.

    In 2021, he launched our annual “Poet-Tree” Contest, to encourage young students to creatively appreciate the diverse natural splendor in our city. A graduate of Boston University and Augsburg University (MFA), he has also served as a literacy tutor and was a longtime Big Brother.

  • Judy is a designer at The Works LA, and the co-founder of Studious Coworking Space in Chinatown, LA. Her love of nature can be attributed to a long backpacking trip through Central & South America, exploring jungles, mountains, beaches and volcanoes by foot. She loves hiking, camping and introducing her friends to plant-based cooking.

  • Gerry is an entrepreneur, business owner, and sales professional with over two decades of experience in the publishing industry. Throughout her career, Gerry has been a driving force behind the success of various consumer and trade publications. Gerry strongly believes in North East Trees, which aligns with her values of giving back to society and supporting causes that promote sustainability and environmental conservation.

  • Osvaldo Peña is a Public Affairs Manager for SoCalGas representing several communities in the East, South, and Southeast regions of Los Angeles. He seeks to establish partnerships and support several community based organizations, local governments, and the business community to support and advance their respective missions along with educating communities on SoCalGas’ clean energy and sustainability efforts.

    Osvaldo is excited to serve on the North East Trees Board. He hopes to address the tree/green space inequities that exist throughout the underserved communities of Los Angeles.

    He is a graduate of Georgetown University and the University of Southern California (MPP).

  • Sarah is a court attorney who specializes in probate administration and trust litigation. She began her legal career advocating for children with special needs, fighting for access to services and accommodations they needed to be successful in school. She then went on to represent heirs, beneficiaries, and fiduciaries in probate and trust matters, before joining the Los Angeles Superior Court.

    Sarah is a graduate of John Muir College at UC San Diego. She received her J.D. from Florida State University College of Law with a certificate in Environmental, Energy, and Land Use Law.

  • Cheryl Leutjen draws from her experience as a geologist, attorney, spiritual practitioner, and mother to respond to the challenges of our time with heart, hope, and humor. She supports the work of North East Trees to increase resiliency to climate change and drought, to ensure a healthy planet for her children and someday grandchildren.

    She is a graduate of the University of Southern California law school, the University of Missouri, and Stephens College.

    Her book, Love Earth Now, won a 2018 Silver Nautilus Book Award.

  • Saira has a background in environmental science, labor, and social justice advocacy. She began her career studying clean water access and its impact on the health of migrant farm worker communities. She was compelled to join the labor movement and served at the Service Employees International Union, Local 721 (SEIU 721), after witnessing the harsh working conditions and workers’ rights violations suffered by this community. At SEIU 721, she joined public servants and advocates in the fight for worker rights and the preservation of public safety net.

    Saira has a combined 20 years of experience in community outreach, capacitybuilding and organizational management. Saira is the interim state director for the Children’s Defense Fund- California where she leads the development of organizational, strategic, and policy advocacy goals. Saira has mentored over one hundred youth through personal and familial challenges and guided them on their educational and professional journey.

    Saira earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Systems-Environmental Chemistry from the UC San Diego. Saira is a candidate of the Landscape Architecture Certificate program at UCLA Extension and envisions merging the discipline with over two decades of intersectional work in racial equity and socioeconomic justice to address the systemic barriers which prevent poor people and BIPOC from having access to green, open spaces in their own communities. She is a native of Mexico and was raised in East Los Angeles. Saira is inspired by her family and her community’s tenacity to innovate even in the most challenging of circumstances. Saira resides in East Los Angeles with her wife, children, and their scruffy dogs.