Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens’ Current Board of Directors
(Updated November 26th, 2012)

Geisce Ly, Ph.D., Mendocino, President   Geisce currently serves as the Dean for College of the Redwoods, Mendocino Coast Education Center in Fort Bragg. Prior to relocating to Mendocino, he worked at the University of Michigan, Washtenaw Community College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Cal Poly Pomona, Saint Joseph’s University, and Penn State. As a higher education administrator, Geisce is committed to better prepare college students from diverse backgrounds to pursue and achieve their educational and career goals. He is passionate about coaching, empowering and motivating young professionals.

Wendy Roberts, Mendocino, Vice President   Wendy was a co-founder of Peninsula Oral School for the Deaf and has retired from a career in non-profit management including university development, a decade of consulting and two years as a nature educator at FILOLI. She holds Stanford Bachelor’s degrees in psychology and communication and an MBA from USF. She is a long-time Gardens member and completed certification as a local Master Gardener after moving to the area full-time in 2004. She is currently a member of the Mendocino Historical Review Board and Temple of Kwan Tai Board. She is currently serving as Coordinator of the Master Gardener Program at the Gardens.

Sandy Scott, Point Arena, Treasurer   A lifelong horticulturalist and plant collector, Sandy retired to Point Arena in 1999 from construction management at the Stanford Business School.  Her career in nonprofit management included paid, volunteer, and board positions at Filoli, a 650 acre estate with house and 16 acre formal garden open to the public; Hidden Villa, an organic farm, hostel, camp, and historic house focusing primarily on educating children; the Alumni Consulting Team (nonprofit consulting) of the Stanford Business School. Sandy holds a BA in Art History from University of California Berkeley and an MBA from Stanford University.

Henrietta Bensussen, Fort Bragg, Secretary   Henri retired in 1999 from Stanford University Press. Before joining the board, in 2008, she served as secretary and board member of the Noyo Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, Friends of the Gardens, and Ft. Bragg Garden Club. She's also an active member of Audubon and the Mendocino Land Trust. She earned a B.A. in Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. The ETF supports the Master Gardener and docent training programs, and science education for children.

Maryellen Sheppard, Fort Bragg, MCRPD Board Representative to MCBG

Richard Coooper, Ukiah

Michael Greene, Mendocino    Having graduated from High School in Willits, California, I began my career as a professional photographer, graduating from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California. My first photography studio was in Ukiah and that led to my eventually becoming the VP of Sales and Marketing for Little Lake Industries in Willits, our largest client. This experience allowed me the opportunity to work with the largest national retail chains in the US including Walmart, Home Depot, Costco, Sam's Club etc.  I have over the last 30 years started several businesses by creating my own products.  Having moved to Mendocino in 2008, I started a product development business selling several products nationally to Home Depot, Walmart etc.  Additionally, I serve on the Board of Directors for Fafco, Inc, a Chico based solar thermal manufacturer for home and pool heating. My wife and I have been supporters of MCBG since moving to Mendocino and have volunteered for many garden functions.

Sandi Janisch, Fort Bragg   Sandi moved to Fort Bragg in March 2004.  She retired from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Sandi has an AAS degree as a paralegal and a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State in Criminal Justice with a pre-law minor and has a strong background in human resources and management. She has been a facilitator, mediator and part of many task forces, committees and planning groups during her years at Game and Fish.  Sandi is a trained meeting facilitator and has experience working with employee groups. Sandi and her husband Joe have been Gardens members since 2000, and she is currently a Board Member. Sandi has been a Master Gardener since 2007 and serves as chair of the Personnel Committee and the Bylaws committee for the Gardens’ Board of Directors.

Pam Rivette  Pam is retired from state service.  Most of her 30 year career was spent at the Department of Consumer Affairs. She has extensive experience working with boards, bureaus, and commissions as staff, as the Special Assistant to the department director, and as a governor appointed bureau chief.  She also was the division chief for the Department's strategic planning and performance measurement project.  Pam moved fromSacramentoto Fort Bragg 8 1/2 years ago.  She is a Master Gardener having completed her training in 2007 and a volunteer for the Gardens.  She is also a member of the Mendocino Coast Hand Weavers Guild and the Fort Bragg Grange.