Raena grew up between the beaches of Hawai‘i and the deserts of Arizona, where she developed a lasting appreciation for nature. Her connection to these landscapes, and her concern for the impacts of development on wildlife habitat, waterways, and culturally significant places, led her to a career in land conservation.

With nearly a decade of experience in conservation, restoration, and natural resource management, Raena brings a collaborative, community-centered approach to protecting important landscapes. Prior to joining Desert Foothills Land Trust, she worked with New Mexico Land Conservancy to protect land across New Mexico and southeastern Arizona. Her background also includes habitat restoration, watershed stewardship, conservation and strategic planning, and community engagement.

Raena holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Western Washington University and an M.S. in Natural Resource Stewardship from Colorado State University. She is also a licensed drone pilot, trail runner, and dog lover. She is honored to lead Desert Foothills Land Trust’s work to conserve the Sonoran Desert and the special places that make this region unique for future generations.

Sue grew up in Fairview Park, Ohio, a west side suburb of Cleveland.  She and her husband, Brian headed west to Arizona in 1987 seeking warm weather and sunshine.  It’s a move they don’t regret. Sue has over 20 years’ experience working for nonprofit organizations in the Scottsdale area.  Her love of the outdoors, hiking and wildlife led her to Desert Foothills Land Trust.  She was hired in February 2023 as Chief Development Officer, and is proud to be a part of such an amazing organization.

Rachel grew up in the Phoenix area and has a deep love for the region's diverse desert ecosystem. A former high school science teacher, she is passionate about connecting people with their local landscape through hands-on experiences in nature.

Rachel joined the Desert Foothills Land Trust team in 2023 as Director of Community Engagement. She is honored to be part of a community of dedicated people working to preserve the Sonoran Desert for generations to come. Outside of work, you'll find her hiking, camping, or crafting.

Jan grew up in central Wisconsin, where exploring the woods and caring for the wildlife that lived there were simply part of everyday life. Her love of nature has remained constant throughout her life, alongside an equally early realization that she was destined for a career centered on organization and project management. Since 1985, Jan has focused on revealing the path between where an organization is and where it wants to be—bringing structure, clarity, and forward momentum to help transform strategies into reality.

After moving to Scottsdale in 2021, Jan discovered that the Sonoran Desert was every bit as calming, vibrant, and inspiring to her as the deep woods. She began looking for an organization whose mission aligned with her passion for nature and her life's mission to leave the world better than she found it. She found that fit when she began volunteering with Desert Foothills Land Trust in 2022. Now, Jan is honored to bring together her professional experience and passion for conservation, supporting the people and work dedicated to preserving the Sonoran Desert—just as it is, forever.