Board of Directors
Our organization is fortunate to have a passionate and forward-thinking Board of Directors who provide invaluable leadership and vision. These individuals, committed to our mission, bring a wealth of diverse expertise and a shared dedication to transforming Los Angeles into a greener, more sustainable city. Get to know the individuals steering our journey towards a brighter, more eco-conscious future.
Chloé Renée Ziegler
President
Chloé Renée Ziegler is an expert in Mediterranean landscapes and California Native Plants. She spent her childhood in Santiago de Chile, her adolescence in Southern France, and much of her adult life in Los Angeles. Her passion for drought tolerant gardening is paralleled by a strong commitment to environmental causes, especially the safeguarding of the fauna and flora of native ecosystems.
Her community activism contributions include: membership on the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (including as Boulevards Director and as co-chair of the Housing and Homelessness Committee); serving on the community-led Take Back the Boulevard group; being President of the Collective Eagle Rock Beautiful; a member of Beautiful Boulevard, working closely with Metro and CD14 on public transit improvements; and serving as Eagle Rock’s liaison with the City (Streets LA and CD14) for the planting of native and Mediterranean trees along Colorado Blvd.
Chloé has a master’s degree from the Sorbonne in Paris, and has directed art galleries in France and Los Angeles.
Michael is a TV writer/producer, director and author, a non-invasive species originally from Philadelphia. He is blown away by the impact NET has had throughout Los Angeles, and is thrilled to have been able to help plant trees at Ascot Hills Park, Kenneth Hahn Park and his local fave-- Flat Top-- hanging with the hawks, owls, crows and coyotes.
In 2021, he launched our annual “Poet-Tree” Contest, to encourage young students to creatively appreciate the diverse natural splendor in our city. A graduate of Boston University and Augsburg University (MFA), he has also served as a literacy tutor and was a longtime Big Brother.
Sarah is a court attorney who specializes in probate administration and trust litigation. She began her legal career advocating for children with special needs, fighting for access to services and accommodations they needed to be successful in school. She then went on to represent heirs, beneficiaries, and fiduciaries in probate and trust matters, before joining the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Sarah is a graduate of John Muir College at UC San Diego. She received her J.D. from Florida State University College of Law with a certificate in Environmental, Energy, and Land Use Law.
Sarah Ragatz
Secretary
Judy is the co-founder of Studious Coworking Space and a marketing consultant. She also contributes weekly to KPFK’s Soul Rebel Radio, where she hosts her segment, Chinatown & Beyond, highlighting local culture, food, businesses, and community.
Her love of the outdoors grew from an extended backpacking trip through Central and South America, where she explored jungles, mountains, beaches, and volcanoes on foot. When she’s not working, Judy enjoys hiking, camping, and introducing friends to plant-based cooking.
Judy Thang
Treasurer
Osvaldo Peña is a Public Affairs Manager for SoCalGas representing several communities in the East, South, and Southeast regions of Los Angeles. He seeks to establish partnerships and support several community based organizations, local governments, and the business community to support and advance their respective missions along with educating communities on SoCalGas’ clean energy and sustainability efforts.
Osvaldo Peña
Board Member
Saira earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Systems-Environmental Chemistry from the UC San Diego. Saira is a candidate of the Landscape Architecture Certificate program at UCLA Extension and envisions merging the discipline with over two decades of intersectional work in racial equity and socioeconomic justice to address the systemic barriers which prevent poor people and BIPOC from having access to green, open spaces in their own communities. She is a native of Mexico and was raised in East Los Angeles. Saira is inspired by her family and her community’s tenacity to innovate even in the most challenging of circumstances. Saira resides in East Los Angeles with her wife, children, and their scruffy dogs.
Saira Soto
Board Member
Gerry is an entrepreneur, business owner, and sales professional with over two decades of experience in the publishing industry. Throughout her career, Gerry has been a driving force behind the success of various consumer and trade publications. Gerry strongly believes in North East Trees, which aligns with her values of giving back to society and supporting causes that promote sustainability and environmental conservation.
Gerry Kreiger
Board Member
