Vida Verde Executive Board Members

Laura Kretschmar SHE/HER/HERS

Laura is a passionate middle school math and science teacher.  She has been teaching and learning with students for almost 30 years, mostly in Oakland, CA, where she was a co-founder of the Lighthouse Community Charter School. She currently teaches at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Berkeley, California.  Laura is a National Board Certified Teacher of Mathematics and opens her classroom to both science and math researchers yearly.  Laura's roots in science stem from watching the Loowit / Mt. St. Helens’ eruption in Washington State when she was young, leading her to study geology in college. Her motivation to teach mathematics blossomed over time through professional development experiences and collaborations with leaders in the field of math education. Videos of Laura’s teaching are often used in teacher education programs around the country. Laura is deeply committed to examining her teaching through an equity lens and using instructional routines that elevate the status of all students as thinkers and doers of mathematics. Laura has been involved with Vida Verde for 20+ years as a teacher bringing students; as a volunteer; donor; and Board Member, serving both as Treasurer and Board Chair. She is humbled and thrilled to rejoin the Board after a several-year hiatus.  Her husband Todd, an electrician, has also shared his expertise and love of Vida Verde–mostly behind the walls of the new barn!  In her spare time, Laura is an avid hiker and dog lover.

eric ryan he/him/his

Eric has been a huge fan and supporter of Vida Verde since 2003. The organization's beautiful juxtaposition of social justice, environmental education, and educational equity that are a sweet spot of his personal concerns. 

Professionally, he is a national leader in the field of strategic planning for nonprofits. He is passionate about the catalytic power that practical and effective strategic planning can have on building a nonprofit’s capacity.

He is the author of Mission Met: Proven Strategic Planning Guidance to Help You Build a Financially Secure and Impactful Nonprofit. He and his team have created an online strategic planning course, and he has led hundreds of nonprofit strategic planning facilitations and consulting engagements. 

In addition to his consulting work, he has started a nonprofit, been an executive director, and served on several boards as both treasurer and board chair. 

A graduate of UC Berkeley, he lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wonderful wife and two hilarious kids. He has coached Little League Baseball and loves to camp and hike with his family.

Juan Miguel arias HE/HIM/HIS

Dr. Juan-Miguel Arias (he/él) is an Assistant Professor in the Education Department at Colorado College, where he teaches courses in Environmental Education, Educational Psychology, and pedagogies of effective action. In his research, Dr. Arias uses insights from educational psychology to address questions of environmental and educational engagement. Specifically, he examines culturally responsive teaching practices in experiential settings and their influence on student learning and engaged action. Some of his most meaningful research work has been in partnership with VV, and he feels grateful and connected any time he or his family gets to spend time with the humans, animals, and land that make up Vida Verde. In addition to his VV Board service, at Colorado College, he is a mentor for the Latine affinity group SOMOS, the Sustainable Reinvestment Coalition, and the Bridge Program for incoming undergraduate students. He welcomes you to visit his webpage at www.juanmiguelarias.com for more information and to connect!

SHAWN Sears - Vida Verde's Executive Director HE/Him/HiS

See bio above