Helen Josephine
President, Executive Committee, Chair Finance Committee, Governance Committee, Membership Committee
Helen Josephine joined the Garden in 2020 before moving to Concord and now that she lives close by, she has enrolled in both online and in-person courses offered by the Garden’s educational department and completed the docent program in 2022. In 2021, she utilized the Landscape Design services of the Garden to help her select water-wise pollinator-friendly natives and succulents to replace the front lawn of her new home. As a newly minted docent, she enjoys spending time in the Garden talking with visitors and sharing information about Ruth’s vision. She was a volunteer on the 2022 Gala Committee and also volunteers on other projects in support of the educational programs of the Garden. Helen is a librarian who has worked in corporate and academic libraries for over 45 years. She retired from full-time employment In 2017, after 10 years as the Head of the Terman Engineering Library at Stanford University. She is also a certified project manager and an active member of three Toastmasters International Clubs. She received her Master’s in Library Science (MLS) from the University of California, Berkeley, and her BA in English Literature from Monmouth College in Illinois.
Christina Sammartino-Ascencio
Vice President, Gala Committee Co-Chair, Finance Committee, Executive Committee, Sculpture Show Committee, Chair
Growing up in Alaska, Christina Ascencio has had an appreciation for nature her entire life. She now enjoys honing her green thumb in the East Bay, where she has lived for more than 10 years. For 17 years, Christina has worked as a fraud specialist for Wells Fargo Bank, an organization that supports volunteerism and encourages its employees to join local nonprofit boards. Christina knew she wanted to get more involved with the Garden after visiting for the first time in 2016 for a plant sale. Shortly thereafter, she completed RBG’s docent program to further her knowledge of drought-tolerant plants and has since volunteered at the Garden in a variety of roles. Christina has also proudly served as chair for the annual Garden Gala since 2017.
Michael Goldberg
Treasurer, Finance Committee, Executive Committee Chair
Michael joined the Board in July 2022, having been a member, customer and big fan of the Ruth Bancroft Garden since 2008. He is the Vice President of Sales Operations at Planet which provides daily satellite data that helps businesses, governments, researchers, and journalists understand the physical world and take action to improve it. Before Planet, he worked at Autodesk, Seagate, Salesforce and Nextel Communications along with several start-up companies. He has an MBA from University of California, Irvine. He and his wife have been involved in volunteering to help with the collection and transportation of humanitarian aid to and building schools for girls in Afghanistan as well as helping refugees resettle in the Bay Area.
Cheryl Nobusada
Secretary, Audit Committee Chair, Executive Committee, Development Committee
Cheryl has more than 20 years of finance, operational, compliance and risk management experience. She enjoys consulting for small businesses by helping them become operationally efficient and thrives on volunteering with local non-profit organizations to support her community. She recently joined the Cancer Support Community as their Finance and Operations Manager after being a volunteer for many years. Previously, she was the VP of Investor Operations at LendingClub, the Director of Client Services at a San Francisco based technology hedge fund, and held various roles at Deutsche Bank working with individuals to achieve their financial goals. She currently serves on the Hope Walk Committee for Cancer Support Community and is also a volunteer at Lamorinda Villages. Cheryl and her husband, Ryan Kosakura, have been members of the Garden since 2015 and she has volunteered in the Nursery and various Garden events since that time and is an Audit Committee Chair.
Earl Ruby
Finance Committee, Folly Complex Renovation Committee, Garden of d’Lights Committee
Earl owned and ran a software consulting company in Walnut Creek for 9 years. He is currently a Research Engineer at Broadcom, researching hardware accelerators for artificial intelligence. He has worked on AI projects at Bitfusion and VMware, led engineering teams at Apcera, built cloud storage reference architectures for Seagate, created web-based settlement, network quality of service and fraud-detection software for the wholesale telecom industry, and built wireless telemetry networks for Schlumberger. He earned a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence.
Nina Bancroft Dickerson
Governance Committee, Board Member at-large.
Nina is Ruth Bancroft’s daughter. She is a retired social services professional and active community leader. Nina has been an active volunteer and Bancroft family advisor to the Board and contributing member at the Garden for over 20 years.
Judith Coleman-Cohen
Development Committee, Gala Committee, Membership Committee
Judith made her first visit to the Ruth Bancroft Garden in 2008, and was recruited to volunteer with event planning and operations while attending one of the Garden's social events. She participated in the RBG Boosters, and assisted in the annual RBG Gala planning ever year in some capacity. Her most recent focus is on Garden events and the Annual Gala. Judith has a BS Degree from Purdue University, in Food Technology. While working at her first position after graduation as the Director of Product Testing & Sensory Evaluation at Best Foods, CPC International, she went on to obtain her MS at Rutgers University. She then took a position with the Clorox Company in Oakland where she was their Panel Research Director, responsible for directing specific brand and product development marketing research activities. Ultimately she started her own firm, Discovery Research, where she was the Chief Executive Officer for over 22 years. Discovery Research specialized in exploratory, motivational and creative marketing research techniques, particularly focus groups and one-on-one interviews. Judith was also very active in the Acalanes School district, as Chairman of Diversity at Campolindo High School, as well as a liaison to the school district for community diversity programs. She also volunteered as the Boy's Varsity Tennis Team Coach from 1999 to 2002, and she accepted a part-time position as General Manager of the Lafayette Tennis Club in Lafayette, California, where she provided management support at a full-service sporting club. Primary efforts at the club included staff hiring and supervision, designing and implementing marketing strategies, and promoting club events. She continued to work in the field of Marketing Research until 2014, when she officially retired. Judith was on the Board of Directors of Forewomen Golf Association, San Ramon, California, in charge of Charities and Golf Clinics. She currently is serving on the Board of Directors of Boundary Oak Ladies Club, Walnut Creek, California, as Secretary. Judith's father, Daniel Coleman, was an avid gardener, and while she cannot necessarily boast of having his "green thumb," she has always loved working with plants, particularly succulents and cactus, and she considers herself a major fan of the Ruth Bancroft Garden and all it has to offer.
Cynthia Foster
Development Committee Chair, Gala Committee Co-Chair
Before retiring, Cynthia served for 10 years as the Executive Director of the Hillsborough Schools Foundation. She was responsible for driving and executing detail-oriented continuity for $20M Foundation and supporting over 250 volunteers in fundraising efforts. Cynthia’s career started as a buyer at Macy’s California. She worked for several retail organizations in production and operations management before transitioning to the nonprofit world. Cynthia was the Visitor Services Manager at Filoli Center and managed over 700 volunteers including docents, visitor services, and special events/fundraisers. She received a Floral Design Certificate from Filoli and co-chaired the Annual Flower Show. Cynthia is a Past President of the Junior League of San Francisco and the League of Women Voters San Francisco. Cynthia’s affinity for gardens began when her grandparents planted a rhododendron variety in their yard that she was convinced was named after her and not the other way around.
Alexander Gee
Audit Committee, Finance Committee, Membership Committee
Alex Gee is a seasoned finance professional with over 15 years of experience in accounting and financial advisory roles. He currently serves as a Director at OpenAI, leading technical accounting, financial reporting, and investor relations. Prior to joining OpenAI, he was a Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he served in both the accounting advisory and assurance practices. During his tenure at PwC, he also completed a tour in the national office, focusing on investment company accounting and spearheading digital transformation initiatives. Alex is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He holds a Master of Public Accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in Business from the University of Washington. Outside of work, he has a keen interest in drought-tolerant plants, often spending his lunch breaks browsing the plant nursery or participating in horticultural classes at the garden.
David Mitchell
Finance Committee Chair, Executive Committee, Garden Committee, Folly Complex Renovation Committee Chair, Horticultural Advisory Committee
David Mitchell retired as a Vice President and Senior Program Manager at AECOM, San Francisco in 2019. David served as the project manager for the Garden’s Visitor and Education Center from 2013-2019, during which time he first served on the RBG board. He has over 40 years of experience in construction project management and consulting services. He has acted as a project manager on a diverse variety of projects including transportation, power generation, medical and educational facilities, as well as various commercial projects. In addition to his role as project manager, he has provided clients with a range of consulting services focused on the effective implementation of contract administration processes, project controls, the mitigation or resolution of contract disputes, as well as the development and implementation of specialized training programs. David has a B.S. in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Economic Analysis from U.C. Berkeley and is a retired registered Professional Engineer in the State of California and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In addition to his duties on the RBG Board and committees he volunteers at the Garden as a Weeding Warrior, Garden Ambassador, support for Member and Special Events and provides maintenance for the furniture located throughout the Garden.
Susan Ruby
Membership Committee, Governance Committee, Folly Complex Renovation Committee, Gala Committee
Susan holds a bachelor's degree in Dietetics from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and worked as a Nutritional Specialist for two years before she earned a Certificate in Engineering Drafting from Diablo Valley College, and worked as a commercial architectural drafter for 15 years. In 2010 Susan completed a Master's in Business at John F. Kennedy University and in 2011 she also became a certified personal trainer. Susan has volunteered at Ruth Bancroft Garden for eight years. She has worked in the office, the Kiosk, and at special events. She has taken the Docent Program to learn more about the plants in the Garden and considers RBG one of her hobbies.
Monique Young
Development Committee, Garden Committee, Horticultural Advisory Committee, Garden Conservancy Representative
Monique who is now associated with Compass Real Estate, is a residential real estate broker in Walnut Creek, working here since 1987. In service to the real estate community, she has been past chair and a member of the Contra Costa Association of Realtors’ Professional Standards Committee since 2000. Professional Standards is responsible for hearing ethical complaints against Realtors from the public or other members; it also arbitrates financial disputes amongst members. Monique has taught real estate classes at Diablo Valley College since 2000.
Mary Walker
Development Committee, Finance Committee, Governance Committee Chair
Born in Wichita, KS, raised in Huntington Beach, CA, Mary was taught at an early age by her parents how to grow and preserve our foods by canning, to cook from scratch, the important benefits of composting and taking care of our environment. Those interests have carried over into her adult life for the love of gardening, in conservation of resources, and recycling. Mary worked in telecommunications for MCI for over 15 years. She left in 1999 after purchasing Daily Graphics, a print service bureau, with her business partner and husband. They reorganized the company in 2004 and launched an all digital print company under Daily Digital Imaging, specializing in marketing thru the use of variable data printing (VDP). Their digital press does not use water, chemicals or solvents in the print process and reduces paper waste with the ability to provide a single press proof. They qualified as a Bay Area Certified Green business in 2005 and advocate the importance and advantages of using digital to print. DDI was fortunate to be awarded the Pleasant Hill Green Business award for 2014.
Linda Tirado
Finance Committee, Governance Committee, Membership Committee
Dr. Linda Tirado is a management consultant and psychologist who has studied leadership and team development for more than thirty years. She received her Ph.D. at the University of Connecticut and co-founded Strayer Tirado Consulting Group in the mid-80s, with a focus on organization and leadership development in the high tech and life science industries. Linda has been involved with hundreds of CEOs, executives, venture partners and Boards around organization, leadership, and team development. She has consulted to both public companies and nonprofits around change management, organization development, and M&A integration. Linda has had a long-term interest in education and has served on the Board of the United Way and the Board of Regents of Archbishop Mitty High School addressing issues of inclusion and diversity. She is also an enthusiastic gardener who has been a huge fan of the Ruth Bancroft Garden since her first visit during the pandemic. She is thrilled to be growing her understanding of dry gardening through the classes offered at RBG and has been delighted to share her enthusiasm with her family, particularly her four young grandchildren. She looks forward to joining the Board and staff as the organization continues to promote Ruth’s vision and evolve to address the climactic challenges of today.
Noelle Brown
Governance Committee
Noelle Brown brings strategic thinking, community engagement, and a passion for sustainable gardening to the Ruth Bancroft Garden Board of Directors. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare compliance and policy, Noelle has collaborated with diverse stakeholders to ensure that organizations stay true to their mission while maintaining operational compliance. She holds a Juris Doctor and a Master of Health Administration from Washington University in St. Louis and works for California Correctional Health Care Services. Noelle’s connection to the land was cultivated in her childhood in Central Illinois, where summers spent detasseling corn fostered an appreciation for hard work (and good soil). After living in Boulder, St. Louis, Chicago, and Portland, she is now firmly planted in Lafayette, where her neighbors know her home as “the one with hiking boots overflowing with succulents.” Noelle loves plants that thrive in California’s soil and considers oak trees part of her family. In addition to her work with the Garden, Noelle serves as a Board Member for the Springhill Valley Neighborhood Association and a Council Member for the UC Davis Aggie Parent and Family Council. When not working, Noelle enjoys hiking the Lafayette Reservoir Rim Trail, and exploring local craft beer spots with the puppy her family is raising for Canine Companions for Independence.
Steven Frank
Development Committee, Membership Committee
Steve discovered the Garden shortly after moving to the East Bay in 2007 and he has been a member of the Garden ever since. The Australian bottle tree is his favorite plant in the Garden. Steve is an attorney who has practiced energy and environmental law at Pacific Gas and Electric Company and in private practice for over 30 years. Before that, Steve worked in public health for the U.S. Agency for International Development and the World Health Organization. Outside of work, Steve loves to garden and to travel to natural landscapes, especially dry ones that are rich with birdlife. Steve grew up in Indiana and has degrees in biology and chemistry from Stanford and in law from Columbia University. He is married to a field biologist and has two grown children, two dogs, two cats, and some tortoises that roam in his own waterwise garden.
Glenn Phillips
Development Committee
Glenn Phillips is a lifelong environmental educator and conservationist. Raised in Livermore, he started his career in environmental education by sharing his collection of reptiles and amphibians with local kindergarten classes in second grade. Currently the executive director of the Golden Gate Bird Alliance, Glenn is passionate about native plants and Mediterranean-climate plants from around the world. Glenn has master’s degrees in urban sustainability and science education and is thrilled to return home to the East Bay after many years in NYC, where he worked with NYC Audubon, Prospect Park, The New York Botanical Garden, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. He lives and gardens in Lafayette.
Valerie Nagel
Folly Complex Renovation Committee, Gala Committee
Valerie is a licensed historic architect with over 25 years experience working on iconic landmarks such as Los Angeles City Hall, Pasadena City Hill, Spring St Arcade, and several Julia Morgan buildings. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and master’s degree from the University of Maryland. Valerie grew up on a farm in Michigan with her parents and brother. This is where she developed a deep appreciation for nature, organic farming and the outdoors from an early age. In 2004, Valerie moved to Walnut Creek from the Los Angeles area, a significant shift that marked the next chapter in her life as she became an active volunteer for Walnut Acres Elementary School and De La Salle High School. Her professional journey continued in the Bay area with work on notable projects Marin Art and Garden Center, Lawerence Meat Market (Sasa Restaurant) and numerous local projects. Valerie has visited the local garden on several occasions with her three boys for school field trips and Boy Scout activities, fostering a love for horticulture and history in the younger generation. In 2024, Valerie reacquainted herself with the garden and conducted a brief study of its potential historic value, contributing her expertise as a volunteer. In January of 2025, Valerie joined the Board at Ruth Bancroft Gardens, bringing unique experience and dedication to her role with a desire to support and enhance the garden’s legacy and community impact.
Molly Anderson
Membership Committee, Development Committee
Molly Anderson is a retired technology executive with a wealth of experience in strategic planning, financial services, program management, and leadership. She also has a strong background in horticulture, having cultivated her passion for gardening over many years. A long-time member of the Garden, Molly has fond memories of attending plant sales at Ruth's Folly before the Garden opened to the public, including receiving a prized iris from Ruth herself. Molly is an avid supporter of the Garden, regularly attending programs and classes, and is a loyal customer of the Nursery. She recently earned a Dry Garden Botany certificate, further expanding her horticultural expertise. Having raised her family just a half-mile from the Garden, Molly found inspiration there for transforming her own yard. Outside of her gardening pursuits, she is a seasoned fundraiser and passionate volunteer. Molly actively supports the Oakland Museum of California’s White Elephant Sale and works with the Contra Costa Library’s Project Second Chance as an adult literacy learning partner.
Ben Bowen
Governance Committee, Garden of D'Lights Committee
Ben Bowen is retired from his career in plant biotechnology and genomics. He worked for the world’s largest seed company Pioneer Hi-Bred before moving to CA where he worked in a variety of startups. He has business development as well as research experience. Over the past 25 years, he has developed his own botanical garden in the North Oakland Hills that is populated with both semi-tropical plants and succulents, many of which were purchased from the Ruth Bancroft Garden Nursery. He is also on the Boards of the Friends of the Gardens of Lake Merritt in Oakland and the Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe.
Ruth Bancroft
Founder
Ruth Petersson was born in 1908 and was raised in Berkeley. Ruth developed an appreciation for plants at a very early age. Ruth began gardening right away, and planted a large garden around the main house in 1950. Her interest in different plant groups evolved over time to include bearded irises, roses, herbs, alpine plants, perennials, and more. In the 1950s, Ruth purchased her first succulent, a single potted aeonium. She quickly became fascinated with water-conserving plants and began collecting them. She amassed a huge collection of potted succulents, which were grown in lath-houses and greenhouses around her house. In 1971, the last walnut orchard on the property was cut down, and Philip offered Ruth the three acres to begin a new garden using her large collection of succulents, which had outgrown their space. Ruth, then in her 60s, seized this opportunity. She enlisted Lester Hawkins, co-owner of Western Hills Nursery, to design the layout of pathways and garden beds. Ruth herself chose the plants, many of which were planted out from one gallon containers. She said that if you plant a plant from a smaller pot, it will get established faster than a larger plant from a larger pot and will soon be bigger than the one from the larger pot. She said to never use a plant from a pot larger than one gallon. Many of the plants in the garden were from 3- or 4-inch pots.
