OUR TEAM
Team
Born and raised in Venice Beach, Talia wasn’t always surrounded by nature. Everything changed when she moved up to UC Santa Cruz to attend college. Most of her spare time was spent exploring redwood forests, hiking trails of the Sierra, or paddling in the Monterey Bay. While guiding fellow UCSC students on outdoor adventures, she developed a passion for cultivating community in outdoor spaces and fostering comfort within uncomfortable environments.
Talia Akiba (Rat)
Outdoor Instructor
I am a West Marin native who grew up visiting Slide Ranch since as far back as I can remember, which helped instill in me a love/interest of nature and food systems. When I’m not at Slide Ranch, you can find me making ceramics, cooking meals for my family, and tending to my own garden. I love being able to work at such a beautiful place that means so much to me!
Luke Goodman (Lichen)
Ranch Hand
Hogan Kinder (Morning Dew)
Ranch Hand
Tony Roth is a long-time Marin County resident / native with a passion for the environment in which he grew up. His love of the area, food and cooking brought him to Slide Ranch as the Farm to Table and “Experience” Manager with the goal of contributing to and supporting the mission of Slide Ranch. When he isn’t at Slide he can be found providing custom west Marin tours to tourists and locals alike as he educates about the area's rich history and culture while providing knowledgeable access to the pristine scenery, activities and culinary delights the area has to offer.
Tony Roth (Tidepool)
Ranch Manager
Wendy Dalia has over 30 years of experience developing and leading environmental education and leadership programs for children ages 2 through 102. A coastal marine ecologist by training, Wendy has worked with a diversity of great environmental organizations including the Marine Science Institute, Redwood City, CA, San Francisco State University, Surfrider Foundation – Boston Chapter, Massachusetts Audubon’s Blue Hills Reservation, HOBBES – Hands on Boat Based Education & Science, the New England Aquarium, The National Audubon Society, and Marin GreenPlay. Wendy is also an Advaced Team Leader and Technical Rope trainer with Marin County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Unit.
Wendy Dalia (Willow)
Director of Programs
Rochelle is an East Bay native with 14 years experience in the nonprofit sector. She is passionate about supporting youth, families and community and connecting people to nature. Rochelle is especially excited about the work Slide Ranch is doing to provide experiences to underserved communities through its scholarship programs and grants. She is also an avid fan of all things Disney and a true 49ers Faithful.
Rochelle Tolbert (Quail)
Office Manager
Diego grew up in the San Gabriel Valley, where finding nature wasn't so easy. Eventually, while attending UC Davis, he found his passion for naturalist studies. Switching from studying Music to Wildlife Conservation, he became enamored with the inner workings of the world around us and how everything is connected. With a strong value in breaking down barriers, Diego hopes to share the natural world with those who are less likely to experience it.
Diego Bocanegra (Scrub Jay)
Outdoor Instructor
Having grown up in the metropolitan area of Chicago where nature and farming are scarce; Dan first came out west for undergrad at Pitzer College in Claremont, CA. He spent as much time as possible on the coast, in the mountains, and the desert; growing his appreciation for nature and environmental preservation. Taking a break from school at age 18, Dan lived in a small town in Nepal, where food came directly from shared community farming and this exposure changed the course of his life. He was drawn to the mission of Slide Ranch to promote similar, often transformative experiences, especially to those who would normally not have access.
He holds an MBA in Sustainable Enterprise from Dominican University of California and for the last 20 years has been waiting patiently (and sometimes impatiently) for the opportunity to combine his experience, skill set, and values in a career-defining position. Slide Ranch was worth the wait.
Dan Miller (Madrone)
Director of Operations
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Jack has an interest in the connections between natural and human history sparked by the glacial-industrial landscape of their native Cleveland, Ohio, and experience doing geological research throughout the American West. More recently, they have led outdoor environmental programs for public and Montessori schools, and adults with intellectual disabilities, and led environmentally-focused tours for private clients. Their love of teaching began as a college student, where they taught classes on building giant puppets. When not working, they enjoy opera, collecting vintage perfume, and karaoke.
Jack Hoehn (Vulture)
Program Coordinator
Nikos Kuimelis (Tuna)
Ranch Hand
Myla has known the magic of Slide Ranch since first kneading, baking, and then tasting warm bread overlooking the ocean as a child during a program on site. Myla brings over two decades of experience in environmental education, transformative outdoor experiences, and nonprofit leadership. Prior to joining Slide as Executive Director, she led the wilderness and environmental education programs as Senior Director at Camp Tawonga near Yosemite National Park and served as Director of Training at Playworks, a national youth development nonprofit based in Oakland. She also worked with Sierra Club’s Inspiring Connections Outdoors, serving people historically underrepresented in outdoor spaces, and guided youth on outdoor trips across the country. Myla earned her B.A. in Environmental Studies from Vassar College and a Master of Public Administration with a focus in Nonprofit Management from the University of Oregon. She loves hiking in towering redwood forests and swimming in California’s waters with her community of friends and family.
Myla Marks
Executive Director
Moselle (she/they), a Sausalito local, is very happy to be living and working at Slide Ranch. They love being back home with the redwoods, fog, and pelicans. They recently graduated from Bard College, in the Hudson Valley in NY, where they studied Environmental and Urban Studies and completed their senior thesis, Compost Toilet as a Radical Act of Care?, which focused on communal infrastructure, ecological Care, and anti-colonial relations with Land and Water. They also spent a semester in Bhutan, where they studied political ecology and were involved with research on community forestry. They love being outside, growing food and tending soils, sharing yummy meals, experimenting with natural dyes, and napping in hammocks. They are excited to be growing as an educator and learning alongside the next generation of curious stewards :)
Moselle Fredericks (Maple)
Outdoor Instructor
Born and raised in the east bay, Paige grew up exploring the foothills which commenced her love for the outdoors. While attending UC Santa Cruz, she earned a B.A in Environmental Studies and Earth Sciences while trying to backpack as much as possible. For the past four summers, Paige lived and worked in the Sierra Nevada’s growing her leadership, data collection, and natural history skills and is excited to spend the season here at Slide! She is passionate about building community in outdoor recreation and breaking down barriers while improving accessibility in outdoor spaces.
Paige Oniki (Pika)
Outdoor Instructor
Myla grew up in Southern Marin County but has spent considerable time between Marin and the Boston area. She has spent considerable time exploring the outdoors, backpacking since she was 6 and raising chickens since age 10. She’s happy to share her love of the ranch with visiting groups!
Myla Dalia (Robin)
Outdoor Instructor