Leadership
Cheryl McKinley
Chair
Cheryl McKinley, Retired was elected to the board in 2012. Cheryl is currently serving as Board Chair. She previously served as Board President in 2019 and 2020. She serves on the Programs, Property, and Education committees.
P. Sienna Thomas
Vice Chair
Sienna Thomas was elected to the Friends’ board in September 2020, and is Chair of Friends Social Justice and Education committee. Sienna also serves on the board of the Malki Museum in Banning.
Matthew Gonda
Treasurer
Matthew Gonda, CPA and CGMA, CEO of Gonda + Co. was elected to the Board of Directors in September 2020. Matt chairs the Friends’ Finance & Investment Committee.
Deborah McGarrey
Secretary
Deborah McGarrey, Public Affairs Manager, Southern California Gas joined the Board in 2014, served as Board President in 2017 and 2018, and serves on the Marketing & Development Committee. Deborah is is Co-Chair of Friends’ annual Friends and Champions fundraiser.
Kathy Coleman
Board Member
Kathy Coleman, Co-CEO, Sunnyland Kansas LLC. was elected to the Friends’ Board in 2018 and served as Board Vice President in 2020.
John Criste
Board Member
John Criste, President & Principal Planner, Terra Nova Planning & Research, Inc. was elected to the Friends board in 2018. John Serves on Friends’ Property and Desert Lake Shore committees.
Rebecca Driscoll
Board Member
Rebecca Driscoll, President, Keith Driscoll Farms, Inc. Rebecca was elected to the Friends’ Board in 2014 and served as Board Chair November 2020 – December 2023. Rebecca serves on the Marketing & Development, Fundraising, and Finance & Investment Committees.
Gordon Fidler
Board Member
Gordon Fidler, Retired Chef was elected to the board in 2016 and serves on the Property Committee. Gordon is an avid Volunteer for Friends.
Robert Hargreaves
Board Member
Robert Hargreaves, Attorney and Partner with Best, Best & Krieger was elected to the Friends Board in 2012 and served as Board President in 2015 and 2016. Bob serves on Friends’ Finance/Investment, and Social Justice and Education Committees.
Stephen D. Hockett
Board Member
Stephen Hockett, Principal (retired), Fairfax County Public Schools Virginia, was elected to the Friends’ Board in May 2022.
Anne Kane
Board Member
Anne Kane, Attorney with Cosgrove, Cosgrove and Humphery was elected to the Friends’ board in March 2020. She served as Board Secretary November 2020 – February 2023.
Jim Karpiak
Board Member
Jim Karpiak, Executive Director, Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy (retired) was elected to the Friends’ board in March 2025. Jim serves as Chair of our Land Committee and also is on our Policy Committee.
Kathleen Lewis
Board Member
Kathleen Lewis, Flight Operations Specialist, NASA Ames Reserch (retired) was elected to the Friends’ board in March 2025. Kathleen Chairs Friends’ Programs committee.
Tara Bravo Mulally
Board Member
Tara Bravo Mulally, Public Outreach and External Affairs Manager United Water Conservation District joined the Friends’ Board in 2021. Tara chairs Friends’ Marketing & Fundraising committee.
Dr. Robert Reed
Board Member
Dr. Robert Reed, Medical Director, VCA Rancho Mirage Animal Hospital joined the Friends Board in January 2021, and became Chair in January. 2024. Robert is a Certified California Naturalist.
Joan Taylor
Board Member
Joan Taylor, Conservationist is a founding member of Friends of the Desert Mountains. Joan has served Friends in many roles since 1987. Joan served as Treasurer of the Board in 2020-2023.
Evan Trubee
Board Member
Evan Trubee, owner of Big Wheel Tours and currently serving as Mayor of Palm Desert, was elected to the board in March 2925. Evan is Co-Chair of Friends’ annual Friends and Champions fundraiser.