Staff & Interns
Kendra Paulding,
Executive Director
Kendra grew up in Sacramento before relocating to San Luis Obispo to attend Cal Poly, where she earned a degree in Business Finance. After graduating, she launched her career at Morgan Stanley and later partnered with her husband to manage their own boutique law practice. A dedicated community member, Kendra has enjoyed serving on several local nonprofit boards and organizing volunteer cleanup events throughout SLO County. Her deep roots in the area and commitment to environmental protection make her an excellent fit for ECOSLO, where she seeks to leverage her experience and passion to enhance the organization’s impact on the community. In her free time, Kendra loves gardening, cooking, and taking daily walks with her husband and their dog, Remy.
Nia James Starr,
Sustainability Coordinator
Nia spent 15 years in New York City before relocating to San Luis Obispo, where she now brings her passion for environmental stewardship to the Central Coast. She holds a Master of Science in Sustainable Environmental Systems from Pratt Institute’s Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment. Before pivoting her career toward climate action, Nia worked for nearly a decade as a visual designer, using storytelling to connect people with ideas. In her free time she enjoys traveling, all things design, and exploring local trails with her husband and daughter.
Patrick Goodrich,
Urban Forestry and Ecological Restoration Program Coordinator
(he/him/his) / Email Patrick
Patrick grew up in the Santa Cruz Mountains before heading to San Luis Obispo to attend Cal Poly, where he earned a degree in Environmental Management and Protection. While at Cal Poly, he supported sustainability education events and campus-wide tree plantings. Since graduating, Patrick has worked in environmental planning and ecological restoration from the Central Coast to the high Sierra Nevada. Patrick is drawn to ECOSLO's vision of a community and environment that thrive together, and he believes expanding SLO County's urban forest is a powerful way to bring that vision to life. In his free time, Patrick enjoys running, bikepacking, and learning about the natural history of California.
Interns
Omar Rios,
ECOSLO Intern
(he/him/his)
Omar was born and raised in the City of Salinas California. He initially came to Cal Poly for Computer Science but later realized he was always surrounded by lots of nature coming from Salinas to San Luis Obispo, so now he is studying Civil Engineering and is eager to learn more about the best sustainable practices. Omar loves to take part in his community, whether it's a local social event or a volunteer job.
Kevin Rodriguez,
ECOSLO Intern
(he/him/his)
Kevin Rodriguez is a first-year Electrical Engineering student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and is originally from Bakersfield, California. He enjoys hiking, kayaking, spending time outdoors, and exploring technology. Growing up, Kevin developed an appreciation for sustainability by helping care for his family’s garden and recycling cans, glass, and plastic. He is excited to support ECOSLO’s work and contribute to a more sustainable future for the San Luis Obispo community.
Keira Gordon,
ECOSLO Intern
Originally from Boulder, Colorado, Keira moved to San Luis Obispo to study Environmental Management and Protection at Cal Poly SLO. Now in her final year, she has added a minor in Law and Society. Her education has made her passionate about environmental policy, restoration, and community engagement. In her free time, Keira loves hiking and backpacking, thrifting for new clothes, and cooking with her roommates!