Julie Colbert
Environmental Director
Julie has been working in the Santa Ynez Chumash Environmental Office since June 2008. An enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Julie was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. As an undergraduate, she attended UC Santa Cruz where her research focused on uranium mining in the Black Hills of South Dakota and the associated health and environmental impacts on Lakota communities. After graduating with a B.A. in Environmental Studies, she worked for a consulting company performing groundwater monitoring and sampling where she developed a keen interest in water resources and pollution prevention. While in graduate school, Julie began working with the Tribe’s water quality monitoring and pollution control programs. In 2009, she received her Master’s degree in Environmental Science & Management specializing in Water Resources from the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara. Since then she has led water resource management projects for the Tribe. To contact Julie, email jrandall@chumash.gov.
Diego Cordero
environmental Technician II
Diego Cordero is the Lead Environmental Technician for the Santa Ynez Chumash Environmental Office. He joined the team in 2016, and enjoys working on all SYCEO programs including Zero Waste, native plant propagation, water and air quality monitoring, and collaborating with other departments and community organizations. Diego promotes greater respect and understanding of the importance of the natural world that we depend upon for life, and takes pleasure in sharing what he has learned as much as he appreciates what he is taught by others. He looks forward to seeing you all at events like Chumash Earth Day and Pow Wow again soon! To contact Diego, email dcordero@chumash.gov.
matt Monez
environmental Technician I
Matt joined the Santa Ynez Chumash Environmental Office (SYCEO) in January 2025 as an Environmental Technician. Matt brings a strong academic foundation with a B.A. in Geology from Humboldt State University (Cal Poly Humboldt), where he focused on tsunamis and earthquakes and earned the prestigious Lori Dangler Geoscience Awareness Award.
Matt’s passion for science communication and his ability to translate complex geological concepts for public understanding are complemented by hands-on field expertise. His work as an Environmental Field Restoration Technician highlights his dedication to ecosystem restoration and conservation efforts, including the protection of culturally sensitive areas and endangered species.
An avid hiker and martial arts practitioner, Matt embodies perseverance and adaptability, skills he leverages in challenging field conditions. His commitment to lifelong learning and his enthusiasm for environmental stewardship make him an invaluable addition to the team. To contact Matt, email mmonez@chumash.gov.
matthew cogorno
environmental specialist
Matthew joined the Santa Ynez Chumash Environmental Office (SYCEO) as an Environmental Specialist in February 2024. Matthew was born and raised in Sonoma County of the San Francisco Bay Area, where he gained a love for the outdoors through the many trails and access to nature available there. He received his bachelor's degree in society and environment from the University of California, Berkeley in 2016. While there, Matthew learned about climate change, bioethics, as well as rhetoric and the language surrounding environmental issues. He gained understanding of the deep interactions between people and the world they live in, along with the power words carry in this struggle. Matthew served in the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps for two service terms, and then managed a nonprofit farm in New Mexico dedicated to healing military veterans through farming, recreation, and working outdoors. In 2023, Matthew started working for the Grants Department, finding his home here in Central California. To contact Matthew, email mcogorno@chumash.gov.
Jocelyn Caudillo
environmental program assistant
Jocelyn Caudillo, our Program Assistant has been part of the team since June 2024. She was born and raised in Santa Barbara County. With a passion for environmental stewardship, Jocelyn joins us with a commitment to advancing our mission of sustainability and conservation. She brings a wealth of experience from working at various nonprofit organizations in Santa Barbara County dedicated to advocating for marginalized and underserved members of the community. Beyond her professional journey, Jocelyn is an avid volunteer with local organizations working to foster community growth. She enjoys spending time with her son and dog, embodying our values of family and respect for the environment. Her dedication and enthusiasm will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to protect and preserve our ancestral lands. To contact Jocelyn, email jcaudillo@chumash.gov.
Riley Black
environmental program intern
Riley is currently a master’s student at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management and is interning with the Santa Ynez Chumash Environmental Office this summer, 2024. Riley grew up in Auburn, CA, located on the confluence of the American River, which inspired his initial passion for environmental and natural resource conservation from a very young age. After moving to Santa Barbara in 2017 and receiving a bachelor’s degree in history along with a minor in Spanish in 2021, he began working the next few years for an organic produce farm in Carpinteria. Riley began his studies at the Bren School in 2023, specializing in water resources management and conservation planning. He is very excited to join the team at SYCEO, helping implement a variety of projects including a year-long research project on growing native plants using sustainable soil amendments in collaboration with a team of his colleagues from Bren. To contact Riley, email rblack@chumash.gov.