Park District Held Swearing-in Ceremony for Newly Elected Board Members
Passing of the Gavel Ceremony for 2025 Board Officers
Two new members joined the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) Board of Directors Tuesday following a swearing-in ceremony at the Jan. 14, 2025 Board of Directors meeting.
New Board Director Lynda Deschambault for Ward 2 has more than 37 years of experience as an environmental scientist and educator, including 20 years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. She served five years on the EBRPD Park Advisory Committee. She also served as Mayor to the Town of Moraga, director for the Solid Waste Authority, and on the League of California Cities Environmental Quality Policy Commission. Her efforts focus on science and sustainability, climate resilience, community engagement, tribal relations, and environmental justice. She fills the seat vacated by Dee Rosario, who retired.
New Board Director Luana España for Ward 4 is a community affairs representative at the Port of Oakland, skilled at developing strategic partnerships and making impact-focused community investments. Previously, she was a manager in the AT&T Leadership Development Program and directed teams of more than 20 employees across field operations, bilingual call centers, and special project assignments. For over 10 years, she has advised leaders and made policy recommendations on the executive committees of the EBRPD Park Advisory Committee, the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council's Board of Directors, and the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District's Citizen Advisory Committee, with a focus on shaping policies that make public spaces more sustainable, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone. She fills the seat held by Ellen Corbett, who passed away in August 2024.
Deschambault and España join Directors Elizabeth Echols for Ward 1 who was reelected in November, Dennis Waespi for Ward 3, Olivia Sanwong for Ward 5, John Mercurio for Ward 6, and Colin Coffey for Ward 7. Directors are publicly elected to serve four-year terms with elections staggered every two years in November.
New Board President John Mercurio announced the Board officers named for 2025. They are Vice President Olivia Sanwong, Treasurer Colin Coffey, and Secretary Dennis Waespi.
For information about EBRPD, visit ebparks.org. To learn more about its Board of Directors, visit www.ebparks.org/board-and-staff/board.
