Potrero Group Recruits CEO for the Land Trust of Napa County

January 27, 2026 – San Francisco-based leadership consulting and search firm Potrero Group recently placed Melanie Parker as the new CEO of the Land Trust of Napa County. This follows a national search for a leader to guide the organization into its next chapter of conservation, stewardship, and community partnership. She succeeds Doug Parker, who has retired after 13 years of distinguished service as CEO.

Jena Kuznik, senior consultant, led the assignment. “Potrero Group is honored to have partnered with the Land Trust on this executive search, and we are excited to see Melanie step into her leadership role at this esteemed organization,” the search firm said in a LinkedIn post. “With over 20 years of experience in the conservation sector, most recently as deputy director of Sonoma County Regional Parks District, Melanie brings a strong combination of strategic vision and a proven track record of making a regional impact. Please join us in welcoming Melanie and celebrating this exciting new chapter for the Land Trust of Napa County!”

“Following an extensive national search, the board is thrilled to welcome Melanie Parker as the next CEO of the Land Trust of Napa County,” said Robin Baggett, board chair. “Melanie is an exceptional strategic leader with a deep commitment to conservation and a proven ability to build partnerships and deliver results. We are confident she has the vision and expertise to build upon Doug Parker’s legacy and lead the Land Trust through this critical moment for Napa County’s lands.”

“Melanie brings the rare combination of big-picture vision and hands-on leadership,” said Mike Fisher, vice chair of the board. “From securing major public funding to managing complex organizations and responding to wildfire and climate challenges, her experience positions the Land Trust to accelerate its mission and deepen its impact for generations to come.”

“I am honored to join the Land Trust of Napa County at such a meaningful moment in its history,” said Ms. Parker. “The Land Trust’s legacy of protecting Napa’s natural and agricultural landscapes, while supporting working lands, wildlife habitat, climate resilience, and the cultural and ecological heritage they sustain, is extraordinary. I look forward to working alongside staff, board members, landowners, tribes, agricultural producers, and community partners to safeguard these lands and strengthen their resilience for future generations.”

“I leave the Land Trust knowing it is in excellent hands,” said Mr. Parker. “Melanie Parker is an outstanding choice, with the experience, integrity, and passion needed to guide the organization into its next chapter. I have complete confidence in her ability to protect Napa County’s lands for generations to come.”

Ms. Parker brings more than two decades of experience in conservation leadership, encompassing land protection, natural resource management, sustainable land use, strategic partnerships, and community-based conservation. She joins the Land Trust from Sonoma County Regional Parks, where she served as deputy director overseeing a $58 million annual budget and a team of more than 200 staff responsible for park creation, ecological stewardship, and public engagement across the county.

In that role, Ms. Parker led long-term strategic planning, served as a key liaison to tribal governments, land trusts, and local agencies, and played a central role in the successful passage and implementation of a countywide parks funding measure spanning all nine cities in Sonoma County. Her collaborative leadership extends beyond government service; she currently serves as president of the Together Bay Area board of directors, advancing regional approaches to land conservation and climate resilience.

Prior to her work in Sonoma County, Ms. Parker served as executive director of a non-profit organization in Montana, where she was instrumental in advancing several large-scale landscape conservation initiatives. Most notably, she played a key role in the Montana Legacy Project, which permanently protected 310,000 acres of working forestland and critical wildlife habitat.

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The Land Trust of Napa County is a community-based nonprofit organization founded in 1976 that works to preserve the character of Napa County by permanently protecting land across the region. It partners with landowners, public agencies, and local residents to conserve agricultural land, water resources, wildlife habitat, scenic open space, forests, and biodiversity through tools such as conservation easements and direct land acquisition.

Non-Profits Specialists

Potrero Group is a national, full-service consulting firm helping non-profits and foundations build stronger, more effective leadership. They specialize in strategic planning, executive search, board development and facilitation—bringing a rigorous, research-driven approach to identifying the next generation of leaders and aligning senior teams around a clear, impactful vision.

Cleveland Justis, founder and CEO, is an accomplished organizational leader in entrepreneurship and the environment for the past 25 years. He has worked and consulted widely with startups, businesses, non-profits, foundations, and governmental organizations, including the National Park Service, Resources Legacy Fund, and Grand Canyon Conservancy. He currently teaches Social Entrepreneurship at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. His expertise spans strategic planning, business planning, board development, public/private partnerships, entrepreneurship, network analysis, and innovation. Mr. Justis was formerly the executive director of the UC Davis Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and co-founded and served as director of the Institute at Golden Gate.

Ms. Kuznik leads executive search and board recruitment projects. She leads Potrero’s search and hiring processes for thought leaders and non-traditional candidates for executive roles at non-profits. In addition to her work with Potrero Group, Ms. Kuznik has managed projects for organizations focused on sustainable agriculture, water resilience, and environmental philanthropy. She specializes in developing collaborative partnerships between diverse actors to create broader impact.

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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media