Staff
Jim Stone, Executive Director
Jim's career in environmental education and sustainability has spanned more than 30 years. Before joining the staff of WalkSanDiego he served as Vice President of Programs at the San Diego Natural History Museum where he was responsible for developing education programs and exhibitions that focused on the plants, animals and habitats of Southern California and the Baja peninsula. He was also responsible for the museum's marketing effort and overseeing its 600-person volunteer force. Jim launched the museum's sustainability effort with a highly successful series of public forums that brought in some of the world's leading experts on climate change, water issues, and sustainable business development. He is a member of San Diego County Water Authority's Conservation Action Committee and serves on the Equinox Center's Expert Advisory Panel. Before coming to San Diego, he was Vice President of Programs at Mystic Aquarium and Institute for exploration in Mystic, CT. Jim earned a BS in biology from Southern Connecticut State University and an MA in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego.
Leah Ostenberg, LEED AP, CNU-A, Program Manager
Before joining WalkSanDiego, Leah was a Community Planner for RBF Consulting's Urban Design Studio, where she worked on projects ranging from community outreach to homeless and housing needs assessments to detailed urban design plans. Before moving to San Diego, Leah was an Independent Consultant for the City of East St. Louis, Illinois where she worked directly with the Mayor and City Manager in their City-Wide Clean-Up projects. In this role, Leah coordinated and organized volunteer efforts, and created a database containing illegal dumping locations, among other tasks. Leah holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Principia College and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.
Cynthia Offenhauer, Administrator
Cynthia has had extensive experience working in organizations in administrative and bookkeeping support roles. She prefers living in urban areas, living in both in Boston and San Diego while raising a family. Most days she walks, cycles or use mass transit for both commuting and pleasure. She and her husband are active in sustainable living pursuits and enjoy the beach and sailing in their spare time. Mayor Jerry Sanders recently recognized them as "Urban Environmentalists" and featured their native plant garden in a press conference he held at their home. She is a graduate of Saint Louis University with a degree in Social Work and attended the Advanced Study for Business Program at Radcliffe College in Cambridge, MA.
Juan Antonio Ramirez, Project Coordinator
Before joining WALKSanDiego, Juan Antonio worked in the non-profit and private sector where he obtained valuable experience in community outreach, especially in underserved communities. As a native Spanish speaker and coming from a Latino family, Juan Antonio understands the needs of Latin underserved communities and the many benefits of walkable communities. Juan Antonio received his Masters in City Planning Degree from San Diego State University and did his internship in the Municipal Planning Institute in the City of Tijuana, Mexico where he obtained his undergraduate degree.
Kathleen Ferrier, AICP, Policy Manager
Before joining WALKSanDiego for the Health Equity by Design Project, Kathleen worked in the private sector where she worked with healthy communities concepts, specifically improved walkability design concepts and traffic calming techniques. She also has experience with transportation policy, smart growth concepts, and affordable housing and development policies. As a WALKSanDiego Boardmember, Kathleen led walk audits and assisted in capacity building efforts to educate community members about healthy community components. Kathleen received her Masters in City Planning Degree from San Diego State University. Prior to obtaining a Masters degree, Kathleen volunteered for the United States Peace Corps in El Salvador working with rural, subsistent farming families, with a large representation of Mestizo heritage. She is fluent in Spanish.
Kaley Lyons, Project Assistant
As WalkSanDiego’s Project Assistant, Kaley is currently involved in several projects, including Safe Routes to School programs, pedestrian safety education, and walkability workshops focused on the older adult and disabled populations. Before joining WalkSanDiego full-time, she worked there as an intern and also at a local government agency focused on redevelopment. After studying abroad in West Africa as an undergraduate, she became interested in the impact the built environment has on an individual’s behavior and in making communities more accessible to all users. Kaley holds a Bachelor’s degree in Community and Regional Development from the University of California, Davis and a Master's in City Planning from San Diego State University.
