Region 9 Leadership Team

Officer roles and responsibilities

---

 NAI REGION 9 OFFICERS

Region 9 Director: Anne Kassebaum – akassembaum@ebparks.org

Anne Kassebaum is the Chief of Interpretive and Recreation Services for the East Bay Regional Park District.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Administration with a Minor in Youth Services and a Master’s in Public Administration from California State University, Hayward (now East Bay)  Anne began her career in public service over 34 years ago as a recreation leader, camp counselor, child care coordinator, recreation supervisor, manager and now as a department head overseeing 10 visitor centers, a boating facility and community outreach/engagement programs for under-resourced communities.

Due to Anne’s leadership, the Park District has been fully engaged in NAI through CIG certification of all naturalist and recreation staff, provided presentations at the national/regional level and recipient of a number of NAI awards and staff recognitions.  Over the past few years, Anne has been keenly involved in NAI Sierra Pacific Region.  Anne is known for her team approach, program solving skills and most importantly for her coaching/mentoring abilities to help develop strong leadership and interviewing skills for our future workforce.

Region 9 Deputy Director:  Peter Ostroskie – peter.ostroskie@parks.ca.gov

Peter has been an Interpreter and educator since he was 16. He graduated from San Jose State with a degree in History and with a direction in Public History. While in school he worked for a non-profit, History San Jose. Where he gave tours and presented about the local history of the Santa Clara valley. He then moved on to working for California State Parks and worked for the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. His focus is to grow membership in younger generations of Interpreters and to provide training to people in the field all over the region.

Peter loves backpacking California and being an encouraging person. He loves our profession and wants to be a voice to all.

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

Debi Espinoza-Bylin has served in a number of interpretive roles including Monorail Tour Guide, Ranch Tour Guide, and Aquarium Interpretive Naturalist. For the past nine years, she’s worked at the California Academy of Sciences. Debi says that serving as Region 9 Secretary is a throw back to her high school days in FFA (Future Farmers of America), where she served on Parliamentary Procedure Team. She is looking forward to inspiring others to open their hearts to the earth’s wonders and to ensure that we have a vibrant membership into the future.

Region 9 Treasurer: Laura Drath – laura.drath@wildlife.ca.gov   (916) 358-2884

As an Interpreter for the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Laura oversees education, outreach and public services at Nimbus Hatchery, east of Sacramento.  Prior to this she taught public school for several years and worked in interpretation for California State Parks, the Sacramento Zoo, and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.  Laura is alumni of the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation study circle program and is the Capital/Foothills Region coordinator for Project WILD. In her off time she hikes, reads, bakes, and enjoys life along the American River with her husband and son.