Our Team

Our team is made up of dedicated professionals with decades of experience in ecological restoration planning, permitting, and implementation, and nonprofit management. Every member of the Ecological Workforce Initiative is passionate about the positive impact training, certifying and ultimately bringing respect to restoration trade workers will have on our communities and our environment.

SALLY BOLGER

Director

  • An electric vehicle technology entrepreneur, nonprofit executive director, restoration project manager, and charitable giving advisor, Sally brings her career-long focus on implementing cutting edge environmental solutions to lead the Initiative – nurturing the partnerships, developing the programming, and establishing the strong organizational foundation that are needed to implement the high-level change for which we are aiming. LinkedIn

ERIC BUENROSTRO

Trainer

  • Throughout his career as an ecological restoration construction worker, safety coordinator and bilingual/bicultural educator, Eric has honed his extraordinary talent for connecting people of all ages and backgrounds to the environment and has strengthened his dedication to creating opportunities for life-sustaining and fulfilling careers. Eric’s breadth of professional experience and personal commitment to the communities we serve helps enhance EWI’s relevancy, accessibility, and educational effectiveness for all.

Elly Grogan

Development Consultant

  • Elly works closely with EWI’s leadership to build support and resources for our mission and goals.  She has dedicated her career to supporting community well-being through nearly twenty years of service in the philanthropic sector and brings experience in grantmaking, fundraising, and nonprofit program management to the team. Elly is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) and holds a master’s degree in International and Multicultural Education from the University of San Francisco, and bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and International Studies from the University of Oregon.

FRANK PEREZ

Trainer

  • In his 15-year career as a restoration construction foreman, equipment operator, and laborer, Frank has garnered broad technical expertise building environmental projects in diverse habitats across California from alpine meadows to outer coastal dunes.  Frank brings the real-world perspective of the specialized trade workers whom EWI aims to elevate and enhances our trainings through his practical understanding of regulatory compliance combined with his expansive knowledge of construction techniques on ecological restoration projects.

JIM ROBINS

Trainer & Curriculum Developer

  • As a respected water resource and regulatory compliance expert, restoration practitioner, and educator Jim has the unique perspective of one involved in the complete life cycle of restoration projects – from inception through implementation. Jim brings his ability to see how providing well-crafted ecological training and building an educated ecological workforce can positively impact project outcomes and facilitate successful implementation of the State’s Cutting Green Tape Initiative.