Don brings a passion for California’s natural heritage, along with a history of building teams to take on big challenges. As a pioneer in the field of human and social resilience, he has helped city and county governments, military personnel, first responders, corporations, universities, and nonprofits to thrive. After a career in health and well-being product development, his own path to thriving led him to a new career protecting California’s natural resources. Don serves as Executive Director at Creek Lands Conservation, where he works to build and share understanding about the ecological realities of California’s Central Coast, because communities that are well-adapted to nature are more resilient in every way. In 2018, he identified the potential conservation value of the former Abalone Farm in Cayucos and began taking steps to acquire it. He co-founded Harmony Coast Aquaculture Institute in 2021 to enable the acquisition and operation of the Cayucos facility. Don is a seasoned conservationist, a serial entrepreneur, a lifelong California resident, a waterman, and a relentless student of nature. Don’s wife Kim is an integrative healthcare practitioner. They can often be found on the trails and waters of the Central Coast.