Barbara Leary, Executive Committee Chair

Kate Wilkins, Vice Chair

Spencer Cox, Treasurer

Alexa Manzano, Secretary

Brad Branon, ExCom Member

Kevin McManis, ExCom Member

 Executive Committee Profiles

Barbara Leary, Chair 

Barbara has lived in the Sacramento area since 1978, settling here to be close to the Sierras and sea. Her interest in saving our environment is enhanced by her work as a nurse practitioner, witnessing the interplay between the environment and health. She is an avid nature photographer and traveler.

Kate Wilkins, Vice Chair

Kate was elected to the Executive Committee in 2023 and has been involved in environmental advocacy in Sacramento for over five years, often on climate and environmental justice at the city level. Kate grew up in Rancho Cordova and has always enjoyed living near the American River Bike Trail. In her free time, she is hanging out in McKinley and Land Park, camping in the Sierras, and patronizing local breweries.

Spencer Cox, Treasurer

Spencer has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and has served as a volunteer for the local Sierra Club in his home state of Kentucky. He recently settled in Sacramento and has begun a career with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife. Spencer joined the Executive Committee in 2024.

Alexa Manzano, Secretary

Alexa Manzano comes to us with 10 years of experience in supporting large-scale programs that require collaboration, engagement, and coordinated delivery across diverse groups of stakeholders. Her undergraduate degree is in Evolution and Ecology and she began her professional career in environmental services and environmental education. She maintains an ongoing interest in birding, climate change effects and mitigation, hiking, and supporting local environmental groups. She’s looking forward to helping us raise awareness and understanding of environmental issues and helping to develop and instill in others an appreciation for the outdoors. Alexa joined the Executive Committee in 2023.

Brad Branan

Brad Branan has worked as a journalist for 30 years at publications across the country, most recently The Sacramento Bee. He has won many awards, including ones for best projects reporting three years in a row in Arizona and another for best investigative reporting in California. Although he now works as an analyst for the state, he continues to work as a freelance journalist, with an emphasis on wildlife photography. He is obtaining a degree in Art from American River College with an emphasis on photography. In his free time, Brad enjoys photography, birding and exploring the state, particularly the High Sierra.

Kevin McManis

Kevin McManis joins us after many years as a Sierra Club member, with experience working on numerous trail building and restoration projects in Washington state, serving on the board of a sustainability and recycling community nonprofit, and has a strong interest in electing environmentally conscientious officials to various local and state offices. He enjoys camping, hiking, and kayaking. Kevin will be serving as our Political Committee Chairperson