We are dedicated to growing the Monrovia Parks, Recreation and Wilderness Foundation

Brian Ulm

President

Brian Ulm moved to Monrovia in 1999, seeking a community rooted in both connection and access to nature. A former Sierra Club leader in Ohio, he soon learned that Monrovia’s foothills were facing development and became deeply involved in efforts to protect them. Brian helped lead community advocacy efforts and served on the Yes on A & B committee, educating residents about the importance of funding land preservation. After voters approved the measure, he went on to serve 13 years on the Community Services Commission, helping guide the completion of the city’s Resource Management and Parks Master Plans. He is proud to continue supporting Monrovia’s parks, wilderness, and recreation resources as President of MPWR.  Brian recently retired from an IT position with AT&T giving him more time to work on the foundation’s needs, explore restaurants and shopping of Monrovia and nearby communities, work on home projects, hike, wine taste and keep his adopted rescue terrier-mix brothers Cole and Ted entertained.

Donna Baker

Vice President
Fundraising Chair

Donna Baker has lived in Monrovia for over 34 years. What drives her passion for Monrovia is the small-town community connections. Being involved is her calling! Donna’s past volunteer experiences include 20 years as an Historic Preservation Commissioner; serving on the Boards of the Boys & Girls Club, the YMCA and Habitat for Humanity; and financially supporting many charitable organizations in town. She was also a volunteer and staunch supporter of Measures A & B to save Monrovia’s wilderness area and as a local Realtor, encourages nature lovers to consider moving to Monrovia to enjoy all it has to offer in our outdoor spaces. Now, as part of the MPWR Foundation, Ms. Baker is excited to work on improving our outdoor spaces in collaboration with the City. Donna says “It’s exciting to imagine what lies ahead for our City’s Parks, Wilderness Preserve and Recreation programs. I’m so proud to be a part of Monrovia’s future!”

Michele Bernal

Chief Financial Officer

Michele Bernal is a native of Southern California, and after 21 years working on the east coast, has been thrilled to call Monrovia home for the past 2 years.  She completed MAP Leadership training, and found that the more you learn about Monrovia, the more you love Monrovia.  She met other amazing MAP leaders and was looking for opportunities to work with them and give back to the community.  As member of the MPWR board, Michele is excited to support the continued improvement of our open spaces and ensuring that recreation is open and available to all.  She has served as treasurer on several other non-profit boards and is happy to use those skills to help the mission.  She also tutors at the Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills.  Michele enjoys hiking the Clamshell trail and is looking forward to the reopening of Canyon Park.  She also likes gardening, cooking, reading, and hanging out with her friends, husband and 16 year old son. She works remotely as an actuary responsible for pricing oversight for the US property & casualty operations of an insurance company based in Germany.

Julie Bank

Secretary

Julie Bank is the founder of JBankConsulting, where she helps non-profit and municipal clients with planning, programming, fundraising, and other organizational and strategic needs.   She is active in the community serving as a Rotarian, MAP Leader, a PTA mom, and as a Tournament of Roses white suiter.  She is a proud mom, volunteer, and supporter of a teenager who is active on the MHS Cross-Country/track team, a Volunteer at Canyon Park, a scout with Troop 66, Centre Stage, City Youth Commissioner, and a MAP leader. Her family includes two dogs and 2 cats. They love to explore the Monrovia outdoors, including looking at the amazing architecture on walks, visiting the Canyon Park waterfall, biking in the HWP, and having weekend picnics in the amazing Monrovia parks.

Trudy Trimmer

Program & Events Chair
Volunteer Coordinator

Trudy Trimmer has made Monrovia home since 1990.  Relocated from the East Coast in 1983, the small town feel and open spaces provided in Monrovia was what a young family was looking for.  Trudy worked for City of Hope for 27 years and Caltech for the past 2.5 years as a Grants Manager.  In raising her two daughters, Trudy was active in PTA, Girl Scout Leader, various team mom positions with local sports teams and dance teams, and National Team Leader for Avon39 Walk to End Breast Cancer to name a few.  Trudy and her husband, Mark, hike the Wilderness Preserve area regularly and enjoy being outdoors camping and hiking.   As part of MPWR, Trudy looks forward to promoting and supporting the unique outdoor spaces, programs, and services provided here in Monrovia.

Dana Dierkes

Communications Chair

Dana Dierke’s passions have been protecting parks and forests and promoting public education and the focus of her 33-year career with the National Park Service and USDA Forest Service. She has served as a park ranger; supervisory park ranger; chief of interpretation, education, and community engagement; public affairs officer/specialist; and writer-editor at national parks and forests in California; Arizona; Washington, D.C.; Maryland; and Virginia. After recently retiring from the federal government, she continues to help conservation organizations turn vision into voice as a communications consultant and soon to be new small business owner in Monrovia. Dana enjoys time spent with her wonderful husband of 30 years, good friends, and her family cat.

Edward Belden

Edward Belden loves spending time in parks, open spaces and promoting the multitude of benefits they provide. His work has spanned from the leaves of plants to the plans of cities working in the public, private and non-profit sectors. He is an environmental professional with experience in implementing green infrastructure projects, watershed monitoring, environmental analysis, trail planning, restoration, green building, sustainability, recreation improvements, and youth-focused programs. Currently working to Restore and Revitalize the LA River with the City of Los Angeles, he also serves on the Monrovia Community Services Commission. Edward is a native of Monrovia who loves observing nature, hiking, biking, and making ice cream in his spare time. He holds a B.S. in Biology from Hobart College and a Master’s in Environmental Science and Management from UC Santa Barbara.