David Lewis
Executive Director
David has been the top advocate for San Francisco Bay for 20 years, leading Save The Bay to major victories to accelerate wetland restoration, reduce pollution, and prevent filling of the Bay. He has built strong relationships and alliances with public officials, business leaders, and key stakeholders to improve the Bay’s health, and crafted new regional strategies for the Bay Area to adapt to climate change. A Palo Alto native, David previously worked in the U.S. Senate and organized national advocacy campaigns to reduce the threat of nuclear war. He is a graduate of Princeton University and enjoys hiking the East Bay Parks with his wife and dog and skiing with his daughters.
Donna Ball
Habitat Restoration Director
Donna brings over 15 years of experience as a salt marsh ecologist on the West Coast, and for the last six years has directed Save The Bay’s Habitat Restoration Team. She and her team provide on-the-ground community-based habitat restoration and education programs for more than 5,000 volunteers annually. Donna has worked on a variety of large and small-scale tidal restoration projects throughout San Francisco Bay and represents Save The Bay as a leader on the Bay’s transition zone habitat restoration. She holds an M.S. in Environmental Science from Western Washington University, with a focus on Marine and Estuarine Ecosystems.
Cheryl Brown
Political Director
Cheryl has been working for organized labor and environmental causes in the Bay Area for 19 years, most recently as the Political and Communications Director for the Service Employees International Union 521, and previously managing political and legislative work for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 57. She’s also advised and managed candidate and ballot measure campaigns, and done consulting on strategic communications and campaign planning. She lives in Oakland’s Lincoln Highlands neighborhood.
Robin Erickson
Chief Financial Officer
Robin has been responsible for overseeing Save The Bay’s finances, human resources, facilities, and computer systems since 2005. Prior to joining Save The Bay she served as Fiscal Manager for Emergency Shelter Program, Volunteer Manager for Environmental Volunteers, and Camp Director for the City of Oakland’s Touch The Earth Day Camp. She earned a B.A. in International Relations and Japanese from UC Davis.
Gwendolyn Tornatore
Interim Development & Communications Director
Gwendolyn Tornatore is a senior thought-leader and communications strategist with 20 years of experience. Her Save The Bay work will focus on developing comprehensive communications and digital fundraising strategies that advance the organization’s mission and to build awareness for emerging issues. She has worked with Bay Area nonprofits and well-known brands at global public relation firms. Gwendolyn is a true adventurer and loves exploring mountain peaks and valleys with her family and their dog, Klondike. She has summited Mt Whitney and is preparing for her next summit, Mt. Shasta.
David Lewis
Executive Director
David has been the top advocate for San Francisco Bay for 20 years, leading Save The Bay to major victories to accelerate wetland restoration, reduce pollution, and prevent filling of the Bay. He has built strong relationships and alliances with public officials, business leaders, and key stakeholders to improve the Bay’s health, and crafted new regional strategies for the Bay Area to adapt to climate change. A Palo Alto native, David previously worked in the U.S. Senate and organized national advocacy campaigns to reduce the threat of nuclear war. He is a graduate of Princeton University and enjoys hiking the East Bay Parks with his wife and dog and skiing with his daughters.
Donna Ball
Habitat Restoration Director
Donna brings over 15 years of experience as a salt marsh ecologist on the West Coast, and for the last six years has directed Save The Bay’s Habitat Restoration Team. She and her team provide on-the-ground community-based habitat restoration and education programs for more than 5,000 volunteers annually. Donna has worked on a variety of large and small-scale tidal restoration projects throughout San Francisco Bay and represents Save The Bay as a leader on the Bay’s transition zone habitat restoration. She holds an M.S. in Environmental Science from Western Washington University, with a focus on Marine and Estuarine Ecosystems.
Cheryl Brown
Political Director
Cheryl has been working for organized labor and environmental causes in the Bay Area for 19 years, most recently as the Political and Communications Director for the Service Employees International Union 521, and previously managing political and legislative work for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 57. She’s also advised and managed candidate and ballot measure campaigns, and done consulting on strategic communications and campaign planning. She lives in Oakland’s Lincoln Highlands neighborhood.
Robin Erickson
Chief Financial Officer
Robin has been responsible for overseeing Save The Bay’s finances, human resources, facilities, and computer systems since 2005. Prior to joining Save The Bay she served as Fiscal Manager for Emergency Shelter Program, Volunteer Manager for Environmental Volunteers, and Camp Director for the City of Oakland’s Touch The Earth Day Camp. She earned a B.A. in International Relations and Japanese from UC Davis.
Gwendolyn Tornatore
Interim Development & Communications Director
Gwendolyn Tornatore is a senior thought-leader and communications strategist with 20 years of experience. Her Save The Bay work will focus on developing comprehensive communications and digital fundraising strategies that advance the organization’s mission and to build awareness for emerging issues. She has worked with Bay Area nonprofits and well-known brands at global public relation firms. Gwendolyn is a true adventurer and loves exploring mountain peaks and valleys with her family and their dog, Klondike. She has summited Mt Whitney and is preparing for her next summit, Mt. Shasta.
