Who's Who?
Who’s Who at REA
At the Regenerative Education Alliance (REA), our team reflects a diverse and passionate group of individuals and partners dedicated to building a sustainable and resilient future. Here’s a look at the people and organizations driving our mission forward:
Mary Beth Leland - President
As the founder and director of REA, Mary Beth brings decades of experience in education and community leadership. Her vision and dedication fuel the programs and initiatives that empower students and strengthen connections to the land. As a special education teacher specializing for 25 years in working with students who struggle with emotional regulation, Mary Beth finds enormous value in bringing teens into nature, creating opportunities for connection, and teaching to the whole child instead of subject-centric education models.
Eric Leland - Nonprofit Capacity Building
Eric represents the Deviled Eggery, a key partner in our programs, offering their expertise and facilities to advance community-driven regenerative agriculture initiatives. Eric served on the City of Petaluma’s Ad Hoc Advisory Committee, which focused on race relations and public safety. Eric is a co-founder of the Deviled Eggery and has worked for decades, providing strategic technology and organizational capacity-building services to nonprofits and government agencies in the Bay Area and nationwide.
Tomi Henry - Secretary
Representing Fern Homestead, owner and operator Tomi Laine Henry has had a lifelong passion for sustainability and self-sufficiency. As a descendant of America’s first pioneers, Tomi has an innate thirst for frontiers of all kinds. Growing up in an industrial farming family, Tomi wondered if there was a better way of doing things, and she hasn’t stopped wondering. Tomi’s version of modern homesteading is forward-thinking, tech-savvy and designed for both quality of life and efficiency in production. She began homesteading in 2013 and earned an A.S. in Sustainable Agriculture from SRJC in 2023.
Saill White - Partner from Community Land Shepherds, Content and Outreach Coordinator
Saill is a co-founder of Community Land Shepherds, contributing deep knowledge in soil health and land stewardship. Saill’s partnership strengthens our focus on sustainability and community collaboration. Sail brings a multiplicity of experience, including experience as a web developer, egg producer, sheep shearer, fire mitigation, and more.
Liz Sanders - Teen Leadership and Garden Teacher
Liz serves as our teen teacher and a member of the REA Leadership Board. She also works as a naturalist and park ranger at Jenner Headlands Regional Park. She founded Coyote and the Magpie, which provides guided naturalist-focused outdoor adventures to make our outdoor experiences more accessible. With a rich background in organizing, landscaping, horticulture, ecology, advocacy, food security, and native plant restoration, Liz brings invaluable expertise to our educational programs, outreach, and community service.
Ruby Rinehart - Student Intern
Finishing her senior year of high school, Petaluma’s own Ruby Rinehart is preparing for a career in agriculture - first stop, Santa Rosa Junior College. In Ruby’s first internship with REA, she embraced the possibility that change is possible, and she is now taking the lead in her second semester with us. She brings optimism, hope, and seriousness to our board and offers a student perspective to our discussions and decisions.
Together, our leadership team, partners, and advisors are committed to fostering a vibrant community of practice centered on education, sustainability, and resilience.
Learn more about open positions and APPLY to join our working advisory board!
