Baykeeper Staff

Deb Self, Executive Director and Baykeeper
(415) 856-0444 x 102

Deb Self, Executive Director and Baykeeper, joined the organization in 2003. She provides strategic leadership and management for all aspects of the organization’s operations, including legal, advocacy, and science activities, financial management, development, and communications. Deb also serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Waterkeeper Alliance, an international network of 200 on-the-water sister organizations, where she works with the Alliance's President, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., in providing a global voice for clean water and healthy communities. To protect the Bay from oil spills, Deb was appointed by California Senate Pro-Tem Daniel Steinberg as a member of the state's Oil Spill Technical Advisory Committee; she serves as Vice Chair. Deb is also a member of the San Francisco Harbor Safety Committee. She received a Public Service Commendation from the U.S. Coast Guard—the agency's highest civilian honor—for her role in evaluating the response to the Cosco Busan oil spill in 2007. Deb has more than twenty-five years of experience in nonprofit development, environmental policy, and citizen enforcement of environmental laws. Her Masters in sociology focused on environmental justice, and she holds a bachelors degree in geology.

Jason Flanders, Program Director
(415) 856-0444 x 106

Jason Flanders provides legal and policy expertise to manage Baykeeper's litigation and advocacy program. Jason regularly represents Baykeeper before municipalities, regulatory agencies, and in federal court, on a variety of issues, including sewage overflows, industrial waste water, and industrial and municipal storm water pollution. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the California Coastkeeper Alliance, the statewide network of on-the-water sister organizations protecting California's waters. Jason joined Baykeeper in 2009 after four years of representing state and local nonprofits, including working to protect the California coho salmon and water quality in the Delta and along the Central Coast. Jason holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Georgia, 2002, and J.D. from the University of Oregon Law School, 2005, where he co-directed the 2004 Public Interest Environmental Law Conference.

Jayni Foley Hein, Managing Attorney
(415) 856-0444 x 105

Jayni manages Baykeeper's Clean Water Act and environmental enforcement docket. Prior to joining Baykeeper, Jayni served as executive director of UC Berkeley School of Law's Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, where she launched a new water law and policy institute and worked on climate change, water quality, and energy issues. Previously, Jayni practiced law as an associate at Latham & Watkins, where she represented clients in a range of environmental matters, including Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Superfund cases. She graduated with highest distinction from the University of Virginia and Order of the Coif from UC Berkeley School of Law.

Sejal Choksi-Chugh, Senior Staff Attorney
(415) 856-0444 x 107

Sejal joined Baykeeper as a Legal Fellow in 2002 and was promoted to Program Director and Baykeeper in 2004. After five years directing Baykeeper's clean water policy advocacy and litigation programs, spearheading campaigns against agricultural pollution, sewage overflows, and mercury contamination, Sejal moved into a part-time capacity to nurture her two young (energetic!) kids. She is currently Baykeeper's Senior Staff Attorney investigating and developing new Clean Water Act litigation. Sejal holds a B.S. in Anthropology from Emory University and a J.D. with a specialization in Environmental Law from the University of California at Berkeley.

Andrea Kopecky, Associate Attorney
(415) 856-0444 x 110

Andrea Kopecky is a graduate of Lewis & Clark Law School, focused on investigating pollution and bringing enforcement actions under the Clean Water Act. While in law school, Andrea interned with Columbia Riverkeeper in Oregon, the U.S. Department of Justice (Environmental Enforcement Section) in Colorado, and the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. Prior to law school, she held a research position at the University of Arkansas and studied nutrient cycling in highly polluted streams. She completed a Master’s degree in marine science at The University of Texas, where her research focused on the impacts of water quality on seagrasses along the Texas coast. She also has a B.S. in biology from Purdue University.

Ian Wren, Staff Scientist
(415) 856-0444 x 108

Ian helps manage advocacy and research efforts, in addition to supporting Baykeeper's enforcement actions. Prior to joining Baykeeper, Ian spent six years in environmental consultancy as a Habitat Restoration Specialist in Southern California and a Hydrologist in London, UK. Ian has worked with a range of public, private and non-profit organizations in California, Europe and the Middle East and is experienced in issues surrounding urban water quality, coastal diffuse pollution, endangered species, wetland restoration and the use of low impact technologies to mitigate water quality impacts and flood risk. He studied biology and ecology at UC Berkeley, holds an M.S. in Hydrology and Sustainable Development from Imperial College, London and is a Certified Professional in Stormwater Quality (CPSWQ)/Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD).

Eliet Henderson, Development Director
(415) 856-0444 x 101

Eliet Henderson directs Baykeeper's development and communication efforts, managing supporter outreach, funder relationships, online communications, publications, and events. She first joined Baykeeper in 2007. She previously worked in communications on a statewide initiative campaign and as an events coordinator and program assistant at Equal Justice Works in Washington, D.C. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in sociology.

Judy MacLean, Development Writer
(415) 856-0444 x 104

Judy handles Baykeeper’s development writing, including supporter communications, online content, media outreach, and publications. Judy joined Baykeeper in 2011. She has over 20 years experience writing for environmental, health, and social justice nonprofit organizations, as well as experience as a journalist, author, and editor. She holds a B.A. in philosophy from Rice University.

Jenna McElroy, Development Associate
415-856-0444 x 112

Jenna plays a key role in implementing Baykeeper’s individual giving programs, and supports the organization's fundraising and communications goals. She joined Baykeeper in 2013. Jenna is the former Development & Operations Coordinator with School of the Americas Watch, Washington DC. She received her Master’s in Social Service and Master’s in Law & Social Policy from Bryn Mawr College in 2010, and her B.A. in Psychology from Ithaca College in 2008. She has been active in the struggle for just immigration reform and has worked with nonprofits along the U.S.-Mexico border, in Southern California, and in Philadelphia.