Our Staff

Sarah Hutmacher is the Chief Operating Officer, and works with her awesome team on restoration projects, preserve management, research, clean river program, and tackling complex policy issues related to homelessness. Sarah graduated from UC San Diego and found her true calling at SDRPF in 2008. She thrives on working with passionate people, developing creative environmental solutions, and—best of all—getting outside as part of the job.

As our primary resources manager for the San Diego River Watershed Natalie cares for over 2,600 acres of open space habitat and collaborates with other land managers and stakeholders throughout the remainder of the watershed. Natalie designs, leads, and supervises staff, interns and volunteers in invasive removal, habitat restoration and species-specific research programs designed to conserve our valuable resources. Natalie is especially inspired by the volunteers that she has the privilege of working alongside to care for our community.

Shawn’s adventurous spirit has led her to explore the world’s rivers, canyons, and oceans. She is passionate about fostering a sense of wonder and emphasizing the importance of caring for our natural world. She develops interactive educational programs to inspire a connection with the flora and fauna in our ecosystem. Shawn is committed to enhancing environmental education, believing that true happiness comes from giving back to the community.

Born and raised in San Diego, Kendall first got involved with SDRPF as a volunteer helping with native plant gardening and mural restoration. In 2024, she was hired as the Education and Outreach Coordinator, leading students on field trips to the river where they have a chance to enjoy fun, hands-on, outdoor education. She enjoys studying native plants through botanical illustration and her favorite part of her job is inspiring the next generation to care about their local ecology by sharing her passion for nature.

Kristen Die Spittle (they/them) is a community builder and park enthusiast. They are passionate about helping educate and inspire the local community to learn more about the environment, which in turn helps many learn more about themselves. Die has also worked with engaging currently or formerly incarcerated people to provide resources and cultivate self expression. In their free time, they enjoy the outdoors through roller skating and teaching others how to roll around San Diego.

Shane Conta is a San Diego local, born and raised. Avid hiker, camper, and backpacker, Shane spent his childhood exploring Mission Trails Regional Park, discovering his passion for the environment early on. Graduating with a B.A. in Sustainability from SDSU, Shane interned with our Clean River Team in 2020 before being hired as Field Associate in 2021. Shane is passionate about environmental field work and community engagement.

I hold a Master’s in Biology from UC San Diego, where I researched how host microbiomes shape phytoplankton communities and ecosystem health under climate stress. Currently, I serve as the Field Coordinator for our Research and Restoration Program here at SDRPF. I am passionate about applying my research background to protect the biodiversity of the San Diego River and raising community awareness. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, nature photography, and traveling!

With nearly two decades of nonprofit leadership spanning environmental restoration, performing arts, and community outreach, Jillian thrives on bringing people together around nature and the arts. Highlights include launching a program that provided over 400 San Diego residents with drought-tolerant redesign consultations, expanding hands-on science programs for underserved youth, and designing nature wellness experiences for seniors. Beyond her advocacy work, she’s usually found practicing yoga, reading three books at once, or cooking up something delicious with the solar oven.

Rachel Downing leads the Clean River Program, empowering staff, interns, and volunteers to work toward a trash-free river.  She attended Oregon State University and began her career as a zookeeper caring for primates, where she developed a deep passion for wildlife and community engagement.  She’s all about community, conservation, and making a real impact—one cleanup, one connection, and one river mile at a time.

Evie grew up in Baltimore and completed her B.A. in Biology and Environmental Studies at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. She moved out to San Diego at the start of 2026 and joined the SDRPF as a volunteer in the Career Training Program before joining the Clean River Team as a Field Associate. In her free time she enjoys hiking, hammocking, reading, and playing with her cats.

Laura Trucco-Dick is the Contracts and Administrative Specialist for The San Diego River Park Foundation, working behind the scenes to support the amazing team members who are creating a better future for our river. In her free time, Laura enjoys hiking in the mountains, working in her yard, or trying to convince her dog to go for a walk.

As a passionate explorer, nature lover, and Mission Valley resident, our Administrative Coordinator Blanca Osorio enjoys spending time along the river. When she’s not in the SDRPF office, you can find her bird watching, doing clean-ups, or walking her two leash-trained cats on the Mission Valley River Trail. She advocates for leash training domestic cats as a means to prevent cat predation on local wildlife through her side business, Purrfashion.

As a former life science teacher and public health researcher, Christine comes to the SDRPF with an everlasting curiosity about the living world around us. Her passion for environmental conservation and education led her to pursue a role with the SDRPF as an Administrative Associate. She’s thrilled to help support the mission of an organization which champions and stewards a more ecologically abundant future for our community. Outside of the office, Christine enjoys ceramics, ocean sports and outdoor adventures with her husband, daughters and dog.