NEWS: Sempervirens Fund welcomes three new members to its board of directors

Juan Benitez, Marimo Berk, and Brad Lewis join the board of directors to help lead the conservation efforts of California’s oldest land trust

Santa Cruz, Calif. (March 28, 2024)–Sempervirens Fund, California’s first and oldest land trust, is welcoming three new members to its board of directors.

Juan Benitez is the former President of GoFundMe and was previously CTO then GM of Braintree Payments. Juan serves on the board of ACI Worldwide and also serves on the boards of Climate Ride and the Silicon Valley Chapter of the Red Cross. Juan is a proud father and an enthusiastic cyclist. Juan holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Carnegie Mellon University.

“I’m thrilled to merge my passion for technology and philanthropy at Sempervirens Fund and hope to help innovate our approach to conservation and community engagement,” said Benitez.

Marimo Berk is a co-founder of the Creekside School for children with autism in San Jose. She is also a former high school teacher and a board member of several organizations like Northwest Regional Board of UNICEF USA, UNICEF International Council, The Tech Interactive, Human Rights Watch Silicon Valley Committee, and The Creekside School Board. Marimo holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Santa Clara University and a Master of Arts degree from Stanford University.

“It’s an honor to align my educational and advocacy experiences with the Sempervirens Fund’s mission, working together to protect these natural treasures for future generations,” said Berk.

Brad Lewis is the Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at Informatica and previously held roles as Managing Director at BlackRock, Partner at Fenwick & West LLP, and as a federal prosecutor. He also serves the community through his board positions at BSA|The Software Alliance and the Berkeley Center for Law & Business. Brad is an alumnus of Stanford University and U.C. Berkeley Law School.

“It is an honor to join the board of Sempervirens Fund, an organization at the forefront of protecting our majestic redwood trees, and I am eager to contribute to the organization’s lasting environmental legacy,” said Lewis.

Sempervirens Fund’s mission is to protect and permanently preserve the redwood forests, wildlife habitats, and watersheds in the Santa Cruz mountains. The organization also encourages the public to appreciate and enjoy California’s natural wonders in hopes that it will inspire the public to help steward it.

“We are very pleased, and fortunate, to welcome Brad, Juan, and Marimo to our board,” said Sara Barth, Executive Director of Sempervirens Fund. “Their diverse expertise and life experiences will help move our critical mission forward.”