Staff
Jeremy Frankel
Staff Attorney
Born and raised in Goleta, Jeremy has long been committed to protecting our beautiful Central Coast. He received his J.D. (environmental law emphasis) from the University of Denver in 2019. Before EDC, Jeremy worked in the private sector, where his practice focused on complex litigation, public agency representation, and land use entitlements. He also clerked for several judges at the Colorado Court of Appeals, drafting more than sixty appellate opinions in three years of service. In his free time, Jeremy enjoys birding with his wife, scuba diving, and spending time in the many places EDC has fought to protect.
Maggie Hall
Deputy Chief Counsel
Before joining EDC, Maggie worked at Los Angeles Waterkeeper and was a law clerk at the Northwest Environmental Defense Center, Earthjustice, and Earthrise Law Center. She holds a J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School and a B.A. from New York University. During law school, Maggie argued before Chief Justice John Roberts in the Advocate of the Year Competition, and was a member of the first place team in a national moot court competition. She has also co-authored an article in the Natural Resources Journal on Ninth Circuit administrative law. In her free time, Maggie enjoys stand up paddle boarding, hiking, travel, and yoga.
Azsha Hudson
Marine Conservation Analyst & Program Manager
Azsha graduated from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD with a M.A.S. in marine biodiversity and conservation. While studying at Scripps, Azsha worked with California Marine Sanctuary Foundation as a research analyst , conducting research on the conservation status, health, and threats towards California’s estuaries. Azsha enjoys hiking (in the fall and winter), paddle boarding in San Diego Bay, and reading at parks with her dog.
Alex Katz
Executive Director
Alex joined EDC in 2023, bringing 25 years of experience in public service and communications to the fight for environmental protection. He has worked at every level of government in California – local, state, and federal – and is deeply committed to climate action, conservation, and environmental justice. He has served in leadership roles including as a senior staff member for Congresswoman Barbara Lee and as Chief of Staff in the Oakland City Attorney’s Office, where he helped to initiate major climate litigation against some of the biggest fossil fuel companies in the world. Alex previously worked as a newspaper reporter in Southern California and the Bay Area. In 2022, he completed the Beahrs Environmental Leadership Program at UC Berkeley.
Linda Krop
Chief Counsel
Linda has worked at EDC as a staff attorney since 1989 and as Chief Counsel since 1999. Linda’s specialties include fighting offshore oil and gas development, protecting natural resources, and preserving open space lands. Linda’s successes include the unprecedented termination of 40 federal oil and gas leases offshore California, defeat of several specific oil drilling projects, and preservation of important areas for public access and ecological protection, including Hearst Ranch, Ellwood, Carpinteria Bluffs and Sedgwick Ranch. Linda represented the conservation community on the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council from 1998-2013, and teaches Environmental Law at UCSB.
Ashwin Manthripragada
Development Director
Prior to joining EDC in 2025, Ashwin served as Executive Director and Development Director at Quail Springs, an organization focused on environmental restoration, education, and advocacy. He brings extensive nonprofit leadership experience and a unique approach to development guided by the poetics of land, community service, and intellectual curiosity. His diverse background includes volunteer work on regenerative farms around the world and with local food banks and refugee centers. With a PhD in German from UC Berkeley, Ashwin previously served as an Assistant Professor of German and Media Studies at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Tara Rengifo
Senior Attorney
Tara is a dedicated environmental attorney committed to preserving open spaces and promoting clean energy in the Tri-Counties, while living and raising her family in the community she proudly serves. Her passion for public interest environmental law drives her work at EDC. Tara began at EDC as a law clerk, advanced to Staff Attorney, and now serves as Senior Attorney after gaining CEQA and land use experience at law firm handling cases across California. Tara’s legal expertise is complemented by her dedication to community service. She has served as President of Santa Barbara Women Lawyers and the Foundation, and as a Board Member of the Santa Barbara County Bar Association. She also co-edited the Santa Barbara Lawyer magazine. Tara earned her J.D. with honors and a certificate in environmental law from the University of Maryland Carey School of Law in 2015.
Brian Trautwein
Senior Analyst/Watershed Program Director
Brian grew up in Goleta beginning in 1970, attended local schools including UCSB, graduated with High Honors in 1990 and earned various accolades including the Environmental Studies Department’s first Outstanding Alumni Award. Brian founded the Santa Barbara Urban Creeks Council in 1987 and served as the group’s Executive Director until 1997. Brian received the statewide Outstanding Organizer Award after increasing the Council’s membership from 150 to 3,000 in one year. A stream restoration manager and biologist, he was named California Trout’s Streamkeeper. Brian has twice been recognized as a Santa Barbara Independent Local Hero before beginning his tenure at EDC.
Brandi Webber
Office Manager & Event Coordinator
Brandi brings a vibrant energy and a wealth of experience to our team as our Office Manager and Event Coordinator. With a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from UCSB, she embarked on a remarkable journey as an editor and cartographer at Maps.com for over 16 years, honing her skills in organization and event planning along the way. Most recently, Brandi’s adventures led her into the realms of medical and advertising sales, broadening her skill set even further. Known for her natural charisma and genuine interest in others, Brandi excels in building strong relationships with her team and the local community. A SB Local for over 25 years, Brandi feels privileged to join the EDC, championing our environmental legacy. Outside of work, you’ll find Brandi indulging her love for travel, hiking, live music, cooking, camping, and spreading positivity wherever she goes.
Betsy Weber
Assistant Director
Betsy joined EDC in 2007 after working at the Wyoming Wilderness Association to protect and expand federal Wilderness Areas in her home state. She serves as the interface between EDC and the public by coordinating community outreach and education initiatives, along with EDC’s array of public, media, and online communications. Betsy also conducts operations administration and event planning. She earned her B.A. in Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
