Staff

Pesticide Action Network North America is endowed with the commitments and capabilities of its staff of scientists, campaigners, writers, interns and support specialists. Here you can get contact information for and learn a little about some of the people behind PAN’s work for pesticide reform.

PAN is led by three co-directors: Kathryn Gilje, Heather Pilatic and Steve Scholl-Buckwald.

Matt Belli
Development Assistant
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B.A., Urban Studies, Vassar College

After interning in PAN's Development office in 2009, Matt returned in 2011 to work as the Development Assistant. He graduated from Vassar College in 2009 with a degree in Urban Studies. Originally from New York, Matt relocated to San Francisco shortly after college and has now found a home at PAN.

Clint Boerner
Information Technology Manager
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DigitalVideo, Vista Community College, Berkeley, California

Clint had over ten years experience as a network technician, webmaster and consultant to business and home users, specializing in Mac systems, prior to joining PAN in 2006. He served as Network Coordinator for Vista College in Berkeley, consultant to the advertising industry with Mann Consulting in San Francisco, and as Webmaster and Network Administrator for macHOME magazine where he also wrote the “HotTips weekly eNews letter.” Clint maintains PAN’s computing systems, network and telecommunications services and supports media production for the Communications Department.

Medha Chandra
Campaign Coordinator
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Ph.D., Environment and Social Justice, University College London

Medha has 16 years experience in urban design, environmental protection, international development and social justice work in India, the UK, and in the U.S. Before moving to the U.S., Medha worked on environmental conflict and justice issues in India and the UK, focusing on low income urban and peri-urban communities. At PAN North America, Medha leads a team focused on international and domestic pesticide campaigns, and is the coordinator of PAN International’s Working Group on Pesticides and Corporations. Medha has written for academic as well as NGO publications. She is trilingual in Bengali, English and Hindi.

Devika Ghai
Executive Assistant & Partners Program Coordinator
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B.A., Economics, Whittier College

After interning with PAN in summer 2010, Devika returned in 2011 as Executive Assistant to Kathryn Gilje and coordinator of PAN's Partners Program. Devika's undergraduate studies focused on the economics and politics of sustainable agriculture, writing her thesis on the economic failures of industrial agriculture. While at Whittier College, she helped develop and launch the school’s nascent Sustainability Program, also working on diversity, minority and labor issues in the community. Devika has volunteered at urban community gardens from the San Gabriel Valley to Sunnyvale. She speaks Hindi and conversational French.

Kathryn Gilje
Co-Director (Program & Development)
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B.S., Environmental Science, University of Minnesota College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences

Kathryn joined PAN in 2005 bringing ten years of organizing, fundraising, program planning and organizational development experience with food, agriculture and social justice organizations. Prior to being named executive director, Kathryn was PAN’s campaigns director. Before coming to PAN, Kathryn co-founded and co-directed Centro Campesino, a membership organization of migrant agricultural workers, rural Latino/as and allies in southern Minnesota. She was senior associate with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, where her work focused on marketing sustainable agriculture and reforming U.S. farm policy. She spent several years on small farms in Minnesota, raising chickens, milking goats and coordinating local foods projects. Her community organizing training comes from the Organizing Apprenticeship Project, Center for Third World Organizing and Farm Labor Organizing Committee. Her non-profit management training was provided through Hispanics in Philanthropy at the Kellogg School of Management. Kathryn speaks Spanish.

Brian Hill
Consulting Analyst
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Ph.D., Physics, Harvard University, 1988

Brian served PAN as a staff scientist and as the science department director from September 2004 to November 2009. Before joining PAN, Brian was working in the Energy Analysis Department of the Environmental Energy Technologies Division at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. Prior to that he was a software engineer, including working at NeXT and Apple on the development of Mac OS X. His doctoral and post-doctoral research in physics included Monte Carlo calculations of the properties of particles known as “heavy mesons.” At PAN, Brian has done technical analyses and software development for PAN’s PesticideInfo website and its What’s On My Food? software, and analyses of environmental modeling. He regularly engaged U.S. EPA and California Department of Pesticide Regulation processes, particularly on fumigants, in order to improve protections for health and the environment. As a consulting analyst, he continues to do technical analyses, data updates and software enhancements for PesticideInfo and What’s On My Food?.

Marcia Ishii-Eiteman
Senior Scientist
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Ph.D., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell

Marcia Ishii-Eiteman is a senior scientist and director of the Sustainable Food Systems Program at PAN. Before joining PAN in 1996, Marcia worked in Asia and Africa for 14 years. She developed farmer field schools in ecological pest management, sustainable agriculture and community-based rural development projects in Southeast Asia, and women's health, literacy and resource conservation projects on the Thai-Cambodian and Somali-Ethiopian borders. Marcia holds a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University and a B.A. in Women’s Studies from Yale University. She has written extensively on the ecological, social and political dimensions of food and agriculture and was a lead author of the UN-sponsored International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development.

Susan Kegley
Consulting Scientist
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Ph.D., Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Postdoctoral in Organometallic Chemistry, Colorado State University and University of California, Berkeley

Susan served as a senior scientist at PAN from 1998-2009, and continues as Consulting Scientist. Before joining PAN, Susan taught at Middlebury and Williams Colleges, where she began doing environmental research on PCB-contaminated soils. She moved to UC Berkeley in 1992 and developed an Environmental Chemistry course focused on methods to evaluate environmental contamination, including pesticides and heavy metals. Susan directed PAN’s Science Department from 2002 to 2007, during which time she oversaw development of the PAN Pesticide Database, www.pesticideinfo.org; our program of technical engagement with pesticide regulatory agencies; and our environmental monitoring program, for which she developed PAN’s Pesticide Drift Catcher air monitoring device. Her current work focuses on the science and policy related to airborne pesticides. Susan is Principal and CEO of Pesticide Research Institute.

Sara Knight
Online Organizer and Communications Associate
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M.A., Media Studies, New College of California

Before joining PAN in 2011, Sara spent four years working with a public opinion research firm helping to craft winning campaign strategies for progressive candidates and ballot measures. During graduate school, her studies focused on environmental journalism and effective uses of media for social change, culminating in a multi-media thesis on food politics and the corporatization of our food systems. She has written about policy and environmental issues for YES! Magazine and Earth Island Journal, among others. At PAN, Sara is responsible for engaging online communities and content development.

Roree M. Krevolin
Development Director
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B.A., Political Science, New York University

Roree came to PAN in 2011 with more than eight years combined experience in fundraising at human rights organizations Amnesty International USA (New York) and The Redress Trust (London). In college she focused on South African politics and was active in the anti-apartheid movement. Prior to working at Amnesty, she spent over ten years in talent bookings and concert and event promotion in New York at companies including Ron Delsener Enterprises (now Live Nation NYC) and MTV Networks (VH-1). Within PAN's Development Department, Roree heads the major donor program.

Monica Moore
Co-Founder and Founding Executive Director
M.S., Environmental Science Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley

Monica has been engaged with pesticide issues since 1980, including working with NGO coalitions in Brazil, staffing the Food First Pesticide Project, organizing the PAN International founding conference in Malaysia in 1982, and co-founding PAN North America in 1984. She served as executive director until 1991 and then as co-director through 2006, overseeing all PAN North America programs. She serves as an advisor and/or board member to many local, national and international organizations, and is active in consultations on sustainable agriculture, environmental health, preservation of biodiversity and genetic resources. Monica speaks Danish, German and Spanish. 

Andrew Olsen
Online Communications Manager
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B.A., English Literature, University of South Florida

Andrew joined PAN in 2009 bringing nine years of experience in developing websites and writing copy with an emphasis on nonprofit organizations. Previously, he spent five years as the Public Affairs Specialist with The San Francisco Foundation and led the drive in developing their CMS website. Andrew is responsible for maintaining and upgrading PAN’s websites, creating content, and engaging online communities. His extensive travels have allowed him to interact with and experience a great variety of cultures around the globe. Andrew speaks conversational Spanish.

Heather Pilatic
Co-Director (Program & Communications)
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Ph.D., Literature, Duke University

Before joining PAN in October 2008, Heather studied science studies and social theory at Duke University’s Literature Program. Her doctoral research focused on twentieth-century U.S. political culture, economics and intellectual history with a focus on conceptions of science and citizenship around the turn of the century. Prior to graduate school, Heather worked in marketing and communications for technology start-ups, and has volunteered or worked for environmental and social justice nonprofits over a period of ten years. As Communications Director, she leads PAN’s strategic communication efforts, including media relations; she also co-directs program with Kathryn Gilje and oversees PAN’s physical sciences team. Heather speaks conversational Spanish.

Margaret Reeves
Senior Scientist
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Ph.D., Agricultural Ecology, University of Michigan; Postdoctoral in Agronomy, Ohio State

Before joining PAN in 1996, Margaret spent most of nine years in Central America, teaching and conducting research in tropical agricultural ecology. She worked with university colleagues and NGOs to improve productivity of low-input ecologically sound agricultural methods. Margaret has published her work in Spanish and English in professional and educational journals as well as popular venues. Since the early 1980s, she has worked in support of farmworker rights and has been a member of New World Agriculture and Ecology Group. At PAN, Margaret focuses on environmental health and justice, particularly farmworker health and safety. Margaret speaks Spanish.

Erika Rosenthal
Consulting Attorney
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J.D., New College School of Law; M.A., Environmental Law and Policy, Vermont Law School

Erika has over 18 years experience in environmental law, and coordinated Nicaraguan and Mexican field investigations for the landmark DBCP products liability case litigated in Texas. She was PAN’s Latin America Program Coordinator in 1993-96, and has been an active consultant on environmental policy and sustainable agriculture in Central America, Eastern Europe and Russia, working with Earth Island Institute, EarthJustice and PAN, among others. She currently works at the Center for International Environmental Law in Washington, DC. Erika speaks Spanish.

Kristin Schafer
Senior Policy Strategist
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M.A., Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies

Before joining PAN in 1996, Kristin worked for the World Resources Institute’s Sustainable Agriculture program, as a communications specialist for the U.S. EPA, and as an agro-forestry extension officer with the Peace Corps in Kenya. Prior to becoming Senior Policy Strategist, Kristin was PAN’s Campaigns Department Director. She coordinated the international persistent organic pollutants (POPs) campaign under the Stockholm Convention for several years, as well as PAN's campaign to phase out methyl bromide under the Montreal Protocol. Kristin has been lead author on several PAN North America reports, including Chemical Trespass: Pesticides in our Bodies and Corporate Accountability (2004) and Nowhere to Hide: Persistent Toxic Chemicals in the U.S. Food Supply (2005). She also authored several studies on methyl bromide, including a pamphlet in Spanish for farmworkers on methyl bromide hazards, and two reports for the U.N. Environment Programme designed to help developing nations phase out this hazardous fumigant. Kristin speaks conversational Spanish.

Steve Scholl-Buckwald
Co-Director (Administration & Chief Financial Officer)
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Ph.D., History and American Studies, Indiana University

From 1969 to 1985, Steve taught and served as a dean at Ohio Wesleyan University and John F. Kennedy University in California. From 1985 to 1991, he and his partner owned and operated a restaurant in Davis, California, and he worked in restaurants and organic foods retailing in the Bay Area. He has served as co-director and/or managing director of PAN since 1991. Today, Steve’s responsibilities include administration, finance and development, and he serves on the executive committee for Californians for Pesticide Reform, of which PAN North America is a founder and primary fiscal sponsor. He has also served as treasurer on the boards of the Institute for Food and Development Policy (Food First) and Earth Share of California.

Janet Stephens
Development Manager, Grants and Membership
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B.A., English Literature, Stanford; M.A., Comparative Literature, University of California, Berkeley

Janet came to PAN and to grantwriting in 2010 from the field of environmental education, most recently at the Marin Art and Garden Center, where she expanded her knowledge of and passion for gardening without toxic chemicals. Previously, she worked as a sixth grade teacher and as a technical writer. In 2009 she was certified as a master composter by Alameda County. In 2011 Janet took on broader responsibilities for PAN's membership program in addition to grants management.

Leticia Tirrez
Office Manager
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Leticia was born, raised and graduated from high school in Mexico, moving to San Francisco in 1973. Her previous work experience includes nursing and manufacturing. Before coming to PAN as receptionist in June 2002, she completed a computer and office skills training program, and she has been Office Manager since 2004. Leticia is bilingual in Spanish and English.

Paul Towers
Organizing and Media Director
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B.S., Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning, University of California, Davis

Paul joined PAN in summer 2011 bringing more than eight years experience in community organizing, fundraising and organizational development with environmental, health and social justice organizations. Before coming to PAN, he directed Pesticide Watch and Pesticide Watch Education Fund, sister California organizations dedicated to reducing pesticide use and promoting healthy farming. Previously, Paul was a community organizer with New England-based Toxics Action Center, and he is a graduate of Green Corps, the field school for environmental organizing. Paul's media background comes from serving as Public Affairs and General Manager of KDVS-FM and as a co-founder of Common Frequency, a media justice nonprofit. At PAN, Paul provides support to partner organizations and communities, coordinates the Corporate Control Team, and acts as primary contact for print media, television and radio. Paul speaks conversational Spanish.

Chela Vazquez
Campaign Coordinator
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Ph.D., Environmental Science, Ohio State University

Chela coordinates international campaigns, working primarily from the PAN Asia and the Pacific office in Penang, Malaysia. Before coming to PAN, Chela worked as a community organizer and development coordinator with Centro Campesino, a farmworker organization in Minnesota focused on labor justice, youth leadership, health promotion and immigration reform. She has done international campaigning as a Senior Policy Analyst at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and received campaigning and media training through the Organizing Apprenticeship Project, Center for Third World Organizing, Institute for Justice, Farm Labor Organizing Committee, and Progressive Technology Project. She serves on the boards of the Minnesota Water Alliance and the Women’s Environmental Institute, and on the environmental justice grantmaking committee of the Headwaters Foundation for Justice. Chela is from Ecuador and bilingual in English and Spanish.

Linda Wells
Midwest Organizer
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B.A., Political Sciences & Global Development, Grinnell College

Linda joined PAN in winter 2011, bringing nearly a decade of organizing experience with environmental and economic justice issues. Before PAN, Linda's environmental work focused on protecting endangered ecosystems through marketplace campaigns with ForestEthics. Linda is also a co-founder of the nationwide Hand in Hand — the domestic employers association, which seeks to create fair working conditions for domestic workers. As part of her dedication to strong multiracial movements for justice, Linda has served on the leadership team of the Catalyst Project’s Anne Braden training program for white social justice activists; and she is a graduate of Green Corps, the field school for environmental organizing. Linda is a fourth-generation Iowan from Davenport. She is based in Minneapolis and provides support to PAN partner organizations and communities, particularly in Iowa and Minnesota. Linda speaks conversational Spanish.

Brenda J. Willoughby
Bookkeeper, Database Administrator and Desktop Publisher
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B.A., Biology and Spanish, Manchester College

From 1990 to 1993, Brenda volunteered full-time with Brethren Volunteer Service, working two years with the Church of the Brethren Latin American/Caribbean Office in Elgin, Illinois, then with PAN, assisting with Regional Coordination and doing research for the PAN international Dirty Dozen Pesticides campaign. She was hired as the office manager and bookkeeper in April 1993. Today, Brenda administers our contacts & donations database system, provides desktop publishing and design services for PAN and Californians for Pesticide Reform, and remains our bookkeeper.