Region 9 Leadership Team

Officer roles and responsibilities

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 NAI REGION 9 OFFICERS

Region 9 Director:  Lisa Borok

Lisa is an independent CIG instructor who retired from working for others. She loves training interpreters and creating and engaging with guests in front-line programs and dialogs. Her portfolio includes both natural history and cultural history settings. As much as she loves our parks, zoos, and museums, she’s also a big advocate of growing the interpretation profession in places and situations beyond traditional settings.

Previously, she’s worked in museums (CA State Railroad Museum & Cal Academy of Sciences), aquariums (Monterey Bay Aquarium & Long Marine Lab), and research institutions (MBARI & University of California, Santa Cruz), in a variety of positions all aimed at making ideas and information more useful and relevant to audiences. She created and delivered interpretive programs, tours, signage, newsletters, video, blogs, and social media. She is especially proud of her contributions to staff and volunteer training and coaching.

Lisa lives in West Sacramento, CA with her wife Lori, and two Tibetan Terriers, Zephyr and Duchess. These days, her free time is given to travel, singing (life-long choir member), and working in community.

Region 9 Deputy Director: Debi Espinoza-Bylin – despinozabylin@calacadamy.org

After serving 6 years as the Sierra Pacific Region’s Secretary,  Debi has taken on a new role as the Region’s Deputy Director. Her strong organizational abilities, keen attention to detail and self-motivation will provide the region with the leadership that is needed to continue moving forward with innovative ideas for the future.

After finishing at Humboldt State University with a B.S. in Wildlife Management and a minor in Natural Resources, Debi was able to achieve her primary career goal as an  Animal Keeper hand raising exotic baby animals at the San Diego Wild Animal Park’s Hospital. It was also at the Park, that she first became an interpreter as a  Monorail Tour Guide. Many years later, this led to her second career as an Interpretive Naturalist in the Bay Area – Aquarium of the Bay, California Academy of Sciences, and Borges Ranch/Shell Ridge Open Space Park. Educating children about animal husbandry & mentoring them in science-based careers has always been a passion for Debi, leading her to become a Project Leader for 4-H for many years at Borges Ranch and setting up a Volunteer Program for ranch tours.

She and her husband are now, once again, enjoying the rainy, untamed beauty of Humboldt County, where they first met while attending HSU.

Region 9 Treasurer: Ashley Grenier

Ashley has worked for the East Bay Regional Park District since 2013 where she started as a Naturalist. She is currently the Supervising Naturalist at Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore, CA. Before working at EBRPD she worked at the Aquarium of the Bay and the Seattle Aquarium in interpretation and education. She has an M.Ed. degree with an emphasis in environmental education and is a Certified Interpretive Guide and Certified Interpretive Trainer. She is also an alumni of the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation. When she comes home from work she immediately puts on her “quitters” and starts her “second-shift” as mom to two awesome little ladies, she’s grateful that her uniform for that job is a bit more comfortable than khakis.

Region 9 Secretary: Julia (Kaiser) Sisneros

With over 25 years of experience in retail management and a proven track record in organizational leadership, our new secretary, Julia Kaiser, brings a wealth of skills and dedication to the NAI Sierra Pacific Region board. Her passion for environmental education is evident in her current role at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, where she ignites curiosity and understanding through interactive tours and programs.

Julia’s commitment to service extends beyond the hatchery. She is actively pursuing a BS in Environmental Studies with a minor in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration at Sacramento State University. Her academic interests are further bolstered by a double major in Environmental Conservation and General Science, earned with highest honors at American River College in May of 2023.

Julia’s dedication to environmental education is multifaceted. She is a certified California Naturalist and a Certified Member of the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation. These certifications demonstrate her commitment to using science-based communication methods and engaging audiences on critical environmental issues.

Julia’s passion for the NAI’s mission is palpable. She is eager to contribute her comprehensive skill set and unwavering dedication to the board, confident in her ability to be an invaluable asset in advancing the NAI’s crucial work of protecting and nurturing the natural world. She is poised to play a significant role in advancing the NAI’s mission and ensuring a brighter future for our planet.