About Us

Tamalpais Trust is proud to build upon its first decade of work to continue supporting and strengthening Indigenous lifeways. Now, in our second decade, we have emerged with a co-leadership governance structure led by Melissa Nelson (Anishinaabe | Turtle Mountain Chippewa) and Kaylena Bray (Seneca | Cattaraugus Territory). Melissa Nelson serves as the Lead Navigator for Tamalpais Trust to continue directing its vision and growth.  Kaylena Bray serves as Tamalpais Trust’s Director of Relations, a newly created position to cultivate relationships with our partners and support the implementation of the trust’s vision.

Tamalpais Trust’s transition to an Indigenous-led governance structure was initiated in 2020 in a process co-led by Melissa Nelson, Kaylena Bray and Kaimana Barcarse (Kānaka Hawai’i), collectively known as the Navigation Council of Tamalpais Trust. With leadership from the Navigation Council, Tamalpais Trust engaged in a three-year transition period to shift our grantmaking and programs in ways that align with Indigenous worldviews and ways of being, while also prioritizing ways to influence philanthropic ecosystems, movements, and systems. It is with deep gratitude that we honor the Navigation Council for directing this transition and enabling the next phase of growth for Tamalpais Trust to continue upholding our vision to support Indigenous lifeways, lands, cultures, and ceremonies for the next generations. Kaimana Barcarse now serves as our Hawaiian Navigator, guiding grants in the Hawaiian islands.

We also recognize the many partners who form an integral part of Tamalpais Trust’s genealogy. We consider it a privilege to carry on their legacy and support organizations working to promote and revitalize traditional territories, languages, food systems, waterways, and knowledges.