Michael joined Acterra in May of 2003 as the Executive Director. Prior to Acterra his work history included serving as Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies at Stanford University (1972-1976); Co-Director of New Ways to Work in Palo Alto, CA (1976-1982); Executive Director of the Center for Economic Conversion in Mountain View, CA (1983-1998); Programs Director for the Earth Day Network in Seattle, WA (1998-2000); and Executive Director of Biodiversity Northwest in Seattle, WA (2000-2003). His work has featured a long-term commitment to promoting environmental conservation, sustainable development and ecological economics. At Acterra, in addition to his various administrative responsibilities, he places special emphasis on environmental programs that provide hands-on learning opportunities and inspire people to take action for positive change in their communities and beyond. Michael has a B.A. from Middlebury College and an M.A. and Ph.D. (Sociology) from Cornell University. In his free time, Michael particularly enjoys hiking and backpacking in the beautiful California wilderness.

Debbie has been called "an environmental entrepreneur" for her skills in working with start-up projects and involving community volunteers. Her current role is to develop new programs for Acterra. Before working at Acterra, Debbie served five years as Outreach Director at the Foundation for Global Community. Debbie has also served leadership positions in several other organizations, including the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Canopy: Trees for Palo Alto, the San Francisquito Creek Watershed Council, and Leadership Midpeninsula. She served for six years as Executive Director of the Peninsula Conservation Center, one of the forebears of today's Acterra. During that time she created the Business Environmental Awards and worked with commercial property owners to establish the first recycling program for businesses in downtown Palo Alto.

Before working in environmental groups, Debbie worked seven years for the Palo Alto Unified School District as coordinator of parent/community involvement and as a volunteer leader of the city-wide PTA Council. A Palo Alto resident for over 30 years, Debbie has been an active leader in many local organizations, including the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club, Midpeninsula Access Corporation, the Center for Economic Conversion, Collective Roots Garden Project, and the Midtown Residents' Association, of which she was a co-founder. Educated at UC Berkeley and Stanford, Debbie has three grown children and five young grandchildren.

Amber De Buizer joined Acterra as Development Director in 2010. Before coming to Acterra she was Director of Annual Giving Societies at the San Francisco Symphony. Earlier in her career, Amber was Development Director for Individual Giving at the San Francisco Girls Chorus. A passion for living lightly on the earth and belief that landmark changes begin by inspiring everyday people to to take action led her to Acterra. Amber earned her B.S. in Business Management from Santa Clara University.

Vicky Bhogal, a Silicon Valley native, joined Acterra in January 2011 and is the Development Coordinator & Administrative Assistant. Before joining the Acterra team, she was the Development Coordinator at Family Supportive Housing, Inc. which runs the San Jose Family Shelter in East San Jose. Prior to joining the non-profit sector, Vicky worked in corporate law as a paralegal, often supporting local "green" start-up companies. Vicky received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California, Irvine in 2003. She lived in Southern California for eight years before returning home to the Bay Area.

Vida joined Acterra as Business Manager in November 2010. Prior to joining the Acterra team, she was the Finance and Administrative Officer of the Volunteer Center of Silicon Valley. While she now focuses her work in the nonprofit sector, Vida with a B.S. degree in Economics has over a decade's worth of experience in the public sector managing corporate accounts. The transnational roots her career gained as she worked in Iran, France and the United States emphasize the depth of her experience.

Here at Acterra she has found the organization and its mission to be the perfect setting to utilize her financial skill set and her passion for public service.

Vida is now located in San Jose, CA where she enjoys spending time with her husband, her two daughters, and the newest addition, her grandson!

Pat Martin joined Acterra in September 2008 as the Public Information Coordinator. For the previous decade she was employed in the workforce information field, and is very experienced in locating, interpreting, and sharing information. Pat's environmental interests are diverse, ranging from native plant gardening to poultry raising.