Kelly Bostock began her career as an elementary and high school teacher for eight years. In 2006 she and her husband, Todd Bostock, moved from Phoenix to the grasslands of Sonoita to embark on a new adventure in the budding Arizona wine industry. They purchased the winery Dos Cabezas WineWorks, opened a tasting room, and began managing and farming two vineyards. Always looking to expand their hospitality offerings, Kelly and Todd opened a bed and breakfast next door to the winery. In 2020, realizing the shortage of food options in the area, they added Pronghorn Pizza to the lineup. Kelly has served on several boards including the local school board as well as the Arizona Wine Growers Association. She is also a member of the Arizona Office of Tourism advisory council.

Vanessa Bechtol Cabrera earned a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies and a Master of Science in Planning, both from the University of Arizona. Vanessa is the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Visit Tucson, where she is responsible for the Partnership and Visitor Services departments, destination development, community outreach and engagement, and stakeholder communications. Before joining Visit Tucson, Vanessa served eight years as the executive director of the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance. Vanessa serves on several commissions and non-profit boards, including the Pima County Loop Advisory Committee, Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance, and Destinations International Advocacy and Membership committees. She is an active member of the Junior League of Tucson, Tucson’s Leading Women in Business, and Women at the Top.

Luke joined the Sonoran Institute in 2018 and manages the ongoing projects on the Santa Cruz River, working with staff and collaborators to restore and enhance this Living River in the heart of southern Arizona and northern Sonora. Prior to joining the Sonoran Institute, Luke worked for the Washington, D.C. city government tracking the District’s green infrastructure and water quality improvement programs with a focus on coordinating tree planting programs and policy. Luke has a Ph.D. in environmental sciences from the University of Virginia, an M.S. in oceanography from the University of Rhode Island, and a B.A. in biology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Eric (He/Him) began his love affair with the Sonoran Desert and Tucson, Arizona while earning a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Arizona. The romance and desire for immersion in the natural world led to several years of field work in such places as Arizona, Alaska, and Papua New Guinea. Eric was employed by the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum as an environmental educator and interpretive manager working with community members of all ages. Eric went on to earn an M.A. from Prescott College in Place-Based Education and enjoyed a position as Sustainability Director and professional naturalist at Miraval Resort in Catalina, Arizona. He also served as Associate Faculty for the Liberal Arts, Adult Degree Program at Prescott College before becoming full time Executive Director of ITE. He is LEED accredited and a member of the Southern Arizona branch of the US Green Building Council. Eric’s passion for sharing the intrinsic bond between nature and humanity has generated many wonderful opportunities to “get the word out” en masse on TV and radio as well as one-on-one and in small groups with youth in both urban and back- country settings. Eric is excited to share his experience and to learn and collaborate with the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area partners to bolster diverse community engagement and natural, cultural, and history education across our region.

Rob Elias, a native son of Tucson, is a graduate of the University of Arizona where he was a member of the 2000-2001 baseball team and earned a degree in Political Science. As a student of business and business cultures, Rob has learned from and graduated from the Disney Institute, spent time with former Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz, and continues to study brands such as Apple and Nike. Over the last 2 decades, Rob has used these lessons to help Tucsonans and Tucson businesses grow responsibly through intentionality and culture. In 2015, he co-founded Southern Arizona’s largest music festival with the Oro Valley Music Festival until handing it to iHeart Radio in 2018. He has served various Tucson-based organizations in senior leadership capacities since the age of 25. Rob also ran for political office in 2019 and now serves as the President/CEO for the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Evan is a vivid keyboardist with repertoire ranging from the renaissance and baroque to the 21st Century. Kory has performed throughout the United States as well as Canada, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Russia, Australia, and China in venues such as Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie’s Weill Hall, Leipzig Bach Archive, Kosciuszko Foundation, Conservatoire de Musique du Québec in Montréal, St. Petersburg Lyceum of Arts Recital Hall, Beijing International Music Festival and others. He recorded the works of J.S. Bach on the Master Performers label. Equally versed in the modern piano and period keyboard instruments, Kory is a graduate of The Juilliard School’s historical performance Masters program and Manhattan School of Music where he completed his Bachelors, Masters, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in piano performance. As continuo keyboardist he has performed with The Phoenix Symphony, New York Baroque Incorporated, Inwood Baroque, Olmos Ensemble, and many other chamber groups throughout the United States. Evan Kory resides in his hometown of Nogales, Arizona where he serves as President of La Linea Art Studio and the Wittner Museum. He is also an active board member of the Pimeria Alta Historical Society, Nogales Community Development, and Santa Cruz Foundation for the Performing Arts.