Our Team

We were founded in 1987 by Kay Wilson, who, with an eclectic background – planning director, facilitator, and environmental professional – saw the need for integrated environmental and communication services. We’ve carried on this tradition as the company has grown into a collective of highly motivated environmental planners, marketers, brand strategists, social media experts, web designers and more. This unique team goes the extra mile, breaks down barriers, and collaborates to identify the best solutions to address our clients’ needs.

Join Our Team!

“These past two years have been such a blast and everyone at Circlepoint has played such huge role in making it so enjoyable. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead and working with everyone on some incredible projects!”

– Derek Hicks, Associate Planner

Our Culture

Circlepoint empowers individuals to create positive impacts in communities in a collaborative and supportive environment. Circlepointers are committed to helping each other and the company achieve success by fostering and leveraging our team’s diverse strengths and their unique life experiences.

Leadership

Audrey Zagazeta

Susan Harden

Ivy Morrison

Alma Victoria

Team

Arun Bird

Ashlyn Reining

Avery Harmon

Chloe Altura

Derek Hicks

Ian Kroll

James Dambrowski

Jena Inay

Juliet Martin

Krysten McCue

Leah Nichols

Lisa Cuoco

Patti Ransdell

Regina Merrill

Robert Manford

Scott Steinwert

Simon Stahl

Stacey Miller

Tom Biering

Community Engagement Coordinators

Eric Ingersoll
Gabrielle Rienhart
Isabelle Spangler
Peitian Liang
Kimberly Martinez

Circlepoint's values are inspiration, collaboration, inclusion, innovation, and purpose. Our mission is partnering with clients to offer innovative environmental and communication services that advance communities and help us better understand our environment. Our culture empowers individuals to creative positive impacts in communities in a collaborative and supportive environment. Circlepointers are committed to helping each other and the company achieve success by fostering and leveraging our team's diverse strengths and their unique life experiences.

Circlepoint's culture empowers individuals to creative positive impacts in communities in a collaborative and supportive environment. Circlepointers are committed to helping each other and the company achieve success by fostering and leveraging our team's diverse strengths and their unique life experiences. Circlepoint's values are inspiration, collaboration, inclusion, innovation, and purpose. Our mission is partnering with clients to offer innovative environmental and communication services that advance communities and help us better understand our environment.

Let’s Make a Difference

Together we can engage the public and help build our communities!

Join Our Team Let’s Collaborate

Arun Bird

Senior Associate

Arun is a Senior Associate Planner with many years of experience helping prepare and manage environmental compliance documents for transportation, infrastructure, and land use projects for various public and private sector clients throughout California. He has prepared numerous Initial Studies, Environmental Impact Reports, Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Statements, and Re-Evaluations for a variety of public and private sector clients pursuant to CEQA and NEPA, with a focus on coordinating with multidisciplinary technical teams and guiding projects through complex regulatory processes. Outside of work, Arun enjoys playing guitar, running, and traveling.

Selected Experience:

Brightline West High-Speed Rail Project (NEPA Re-evaluations)
US 101 / SR 92 Interchange Direct Connector Project (EIR/EA)
Gilroy Data Center Project (EIR)

Ashlyn Reining

Assistant Planner

Ashlyn completed her dual B.S. in Molecular Environmental Biology and Conservation & Resource Studies at UC Berkeley in 2023 and her MPH in 2025. Her curiosity about the connections between our natural and built environments motivated her to embrace environmental projects of all kinds. While working with UC Berkeley, she led annual carbon emissions inventories, revisions to the campus Climate Action Plan, and the development of work-from-home protocols. During her MPH coursework, Ashlyn conducted research projects evaluating the impact of environmental changes on human and animal health. Ashlyn brings both analytical and policy-focused expertise to her role as an Assistant Planner in Circlepoint’s Environmental Services Group, and an emphasis on community engagement remains a hallmark of her work. Outside of the office, Ashlyn enjoys reading, exploring the Bay with friends, and spending time with her cats.

Selected Experience:

Brightline Xpress West Re-evaluation
Pacheco Pass Wildlife Connectivity Project
Rail Safety Enhancement Program
Watsonville General Plan 2050 EIR

Avery Harmon

Senior Project Associate, Communications

Avery has a strong background in community engagement, housing policy, and equitable infrastructure planning. With 10 years of experience spanning local and regional initiatives, Avery has led outreach and policy efforts on tenant protections, clean energy, and multimodal transportation projects across the Bay Area. At Circlepoint, Avery has expanded his expertise in strategic communications and public engagement, developing communications plans and accessible, audience-centered collateral that translates complex planning, environmental, and construction information into clear and compelling narratives. He also facilitates client discussions, coordinates multidisciplinary project teams and subconsultants, and helps guide outreach programs from early strategy through implementation.

He is passionate about improving neighborhoods through infrastructure, policy, and community-driven solutions. Outside of the office, he enjoys spending time outdoors—hiking, exploring new neighborhoods on foot, and biking throughout the Bay Area with fellow cyclists.

Selected Experience:

5953 Alameda CTC RSEP-A
5935 Elkhorn Slough Corridor Climate Resiliency
6108 San Rafael Library-Community Center

Chloe Altura

Coordinator, Communications

Chloe brings excellent verbal and written communication skills to Circlepoint’s Communications Services Group. Her curiosity about people and how their needs can be met lends itself to working in public engagement. She has extensive experience attending public outreach events through her 2 years as a Community Engagement Coordinator at Circlepoint before beginning in her current role. She applies her experience with interview techniques and research to writing reports, documenting results, and developing surveys in support of public engagement and stakeholder outreach efforts. Outside of the office, Chloe enjoys listening to live music, relaxing in nature with friends, and learning new songs on the bass.

Selected Experience:

Transit Network Redesign, Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) (5156.1)
I-580 Truck Access Study, California Department of Transportation District 4 (5958
Solano Countywide Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Plan (CCARP), Solano Transportation Authority (5946)

Derek Hicks

Associate Planner

Derek began his career at Circlepoint as an Assistant Planner in June 2023. Prior to Circlepoint, Derek completed his B.S in Urban and Regional Development at the University of Arizona, where he discovered a passion for creating sustainable and resilient communities. To further pursue this passion, Derek completed his Master’s in Urban Planning with a focus in Land Use and Transportation at San Jose State University.

Derek brings a strong analytical mindset, effective communication skills, and a dedication to helping projects efficiently navigate through the environmental review process. Derek also specializes in the use of GIS software, including ArcGIS Pro, to support project-level analysis and create informative visuals used in environmental documents. Outside of work, Derek enjoys relaxing in the outdoors by doing a variety of activities, including biking, hiking, or camping.

Selected Experience:

High Desert Corridor Re-Evaluation Project
HSR Palmdale to Burbank Project Section EIR/EIS
US 101 State Route 92 Direct Connector EIR/EA

Ian Kroll

Senior Project Manager, Environmental

Dr. Ian Kroll is a passionate environmental professional with extensive experience in infrastructure and renewable environmental assessments, natural resource permitting and policy, and project management. He has 12 years of professional CEQA/NEPA experience, complemented by National Marine Fisheries Service and National Science Foundation-funded doctoral research in applied marine ecology. His doctoral work provided advanced analysis to directly support federal environmental planning efforts and regulatory decision-making for resource management. He is highly skilled in interdisciplinary research design, execution, and publication. Ian possesses strong interpersonal skills with an emphasis on leadership, collaboration, and communication. His experience includes federal, state, and local policy development and implementation. Outside of work, Ian enjoys cooking, live music, traveling, and all things outdoors.

Selected Experience:

High Desert Corridor (4882)
Glydways/SJ Airport Connector (5421)
SR 262 Cross Connector (5354)
ST Blvd Extension (5867)
CCTA CTP (5829)

James Dambrowski

Proposal Manager

James is a marketing and business development professional with 15 years of experience driving strategic growth, increasing engagement, and supporting successful business development initiatives. A goal-oriented strategic thinker with a proven track record of delivering results, he excels at developing compelling proposals, creating impactful marketing campaigns, and building strong client and teaming partner relationships. James is a creative self-starter who effectively manages multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail. His expertise in graphic design and visual communications enables him to produce persuasive proposals, engaging marketing materials, and clear, effective communications that resonate with diverse audiences. Known for his analytical mindset and innovative approach to problem-solving, he leverages research, strategy, and creativity to identify opportunities and develop practical solutions. James maintains a strong understanding of local, regional, and statewide issues and emerging trends in transportation, water resources, land use, waste management, sustainability, and infrastructure. Drawing on extensive experience in marketing, business development, communications, design, and sales, he brings a well-rounded perspective and results-driven approach to every endeavor, helping organizations strengthen their market presence, communicate their value, and achieve their strategic objectives.

Jena Inay

Executive Assistant

Executive Assistant with over 20 years of experience in administration. Proud to take care of the San Jose office for Circlepoint, ensuring everything runs smoothly. As a dedicated team player, she thrives on collaboration and genuinely enjoys helping others. Jena uses her wealth of experience to contribute to the success of our team and makes each day more efficient and enjoyable for everyone.

Juliet Martin

Project Manager

With degrees in Environmental Policy and Communications, Juliet is quickly proving to be a valuable addition to the Circlepoint team. She is assisting both the Communications and Environmental teams on a variety of projects in the land use and transportation market sectors. Juliet is passionate about sustainability and demonstrates a desire to reduce her carbon footprint by bicycling as her primary mode of transportation.

Krysten McCue

Senior Associate

Krysten developed her passion for environmental planning and resource conservation while studying at U.C. Berkeley where she received her degree in Environmental Economics and Policy. While at U.C. Berkeley, she volunteered with the Cal Zero Waste team where she educated others on the importance of sustainability. She is excited to bring her passion to Circlepoint to help solve environmental issues. Outside the office, you can find Krysten traveling or cuddled up with her three dogs.

Leah Nichols

Project Associate

Leah has experience supporting public engagement and communications initiatives for complex planning projects. She specializes in survey design, stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and translating community input into clear, actionable findings through comprehensive reports that support planning and decision-making. Leah coordinates community workshops, stakeholder meetings, and outreach activities while developing communication materials, educational content, and social media campaigns that encourage meaningful public participation. Passionate about applying social science to solve real-world problems, she helps clients make informed, community-centered decisions through strategic engagement and data-driven insights. Outside of the office, Leah enjoys exploring new trails to hike, bike and run.

Selected Experience:

LAUSD Turf Field Study Community Engagement (6157)
California Carpet Stewardship Program (5540)
Laguna Canyon Road Complete Street & Safety Enhancement Project (5651)

Lisa Cuoco

Office Manager

Lisa, a vital member of Circlepoint for over 11 years. As Office Manager for our Oakland office, she ensures seamless operations, bringing a wealth of knowledge and collaboration to our team. Lisa’s dedication goes beyond management—she fosters a positive atmosphere, always ready to assist colleagues. Her expertise navigates daily operations, contributing to the company’s smooth functioning.

What sets Lisa apart is her unwavering commitment to building strong relationships with every member of our team. She prioritizes being there for everyone, striving to create an inclusive and supportive work environment. Lisa’s genuine care for her colleagues makes her an invaluable asset, fostering not only professional success but also a sense of community within the Circlepoint family.

Patti Ransdell

Associate Principal

Patti is passionate about involving communities in the development and completion of public works and infrastructure projects. She views public involvement in the development and completion of such projects as vital to improving the quality of life in our communities. She derives great satisfaction when a neighborhood benefits from a safer road or an expanded or improved water or wastewater conveyance system. With more than 12 years of experience developing and implementing public outreach programs for both public and private clients, Patti’s primary focus in the strategic communications field has been in planning and implementing community relations and education programs.

Regina Merrill

Project Manager

Regina is a marketing and public relations professional who has served a variety of clients throughout the Bay Area. She is experienced at forming strategic partnerships with the myriad stakeholders that make up a community, as well as transforming broad strategic plans into actionable information for the public and the media. She is well-versed in creating and implementing effective public relations and digital advertising campaigns tailored to an organization’s specific needs and is passionate about developing and maintaining relationships with clients, journalists, and stakeholders. She excels at conveying the mission and goals of a project through clear and compelling communications materials to increase community awareness and engagement. She has planned and facilitated myriad events, from community meetings and workshops, to pop-ups and walking tours, to ribbon cuttings and festivals with thousands of attendees to meet people where they are while increasing project awareness and participation.

Selected Experience:

NVTA Countywide ATP, Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA)
The Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA) led a comprehensive overhaul of existing multi-modal plans to create a unified, Countywide Active Transportation Plan (ATP). The project converted the existing Napa Countywide Pedestrian Plan, the Napa Countywide Bicycle Plan and other programmatic improvements to equitably meet the needs of active transportation users throughout the County, and integrated Local Road Safety Plans, the newly adopted Vision Zero Plan, and other applicable plans, policies and priorities established by each jurisdiction. Circlepoint created a communications engagement memo to outline the public engagement strategy and key communication channels for Circlepoint and the NVTA to conduct robust public engagement of key stakeholders within the project area. With NVTA and GHD, Circlepoint held four community and stakeholder meetings to engage with various community members, transit users and demographic groups to obtain feedback on the draft elements of the ATP. Circlepoint will supported the development and promotion of an online community survey in spring 2025 to obtain community and user input to develop the final AT Plan. Regina served as Project Manager and is overseeing public outreach and community engagement activities.
Graphics On-Call, Sacramento Recycling and Solid Waste DivisionThe Recycling and Solid Waste Division provides garbage, recycling, organic waste collection and street sweeping to more than 130,000 residential customers in the City of Sacramento. Circlepoint has supported the City of Sacramento Recycling and Solid Waste Division for many years on multiple graphic projects to promote recycling and proper waste disposal. Collaborating with the City team, Circlepoint has created visually engaging graphics for print, digital, and environmental channels, as well as for use on the City’s social media platforms. All materials effectively implement the program branding, campaign theme, and overall messages. Notable campaigns include a multicultural outreach campaign to identify and address the unique challenges that can prevent Sacramento’s various immigrant communities from recycling properly, informing customers about a service day schedule change, the implementation of Organic Waste Recycling Service, and an annual leaf season campaign designed to reduce the impacts of improper leaf debris disposal on streets, local waterways, and parking. Regina serves as Project Manager and has conducted outreach to local stakeholders, drafted communication materials and social media content, and managed and implemented advertising campaigns.
Public Engagement, San Pablo Multimodal Corridor Project, Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) 4719San Pablo Avenue is the heart of a critical travel corridor that carries tens of thousands of people every day and connects multiple communities to job and activity centers. Alameda CTC is currently developing a long-term vision for the San Pablo Avenue corridor and identifying short-term projects to improve the safety and experience of all users. Ivy directed the Circlepoint communications team in delivering a long-range outreach strategy that aligns with project milestones and incorporates innovative engagement tools, such as an interactive online feedback map for the public. Circlepoint worked with Alameda CTC to engage stakeholders across four Cities and three unincorporated communities by coordinating meetings, pop-up events, and virtual town halls to help ensure broad public participation. Circlepoint also developed collateral materials to educate the public, including public fact sheets, webpage content, and social media posts. Regina led public outreach for phase II of the project along the 3.5 mile corridor from downtown Oakland to South Berkeley.

Robert Manford

Senior Environmental Planning Consultant

Robert has more than 30 years of experience leading complex land use, environmental, and community development initiatives for public agencies and private clients. He has managed hundreds of CEQA/NEPA reviews, led land use entitlement and planning approval processes for complex real estate development projects, and guided city councils and planning commissions on major development decisions. He has also taught environmental planning courses at USC and Cal Poly Pomona as an adjunct. Outside of work, Robert enjoys traveling, Karate, playing scrabble, and watching basketball or soccer.

Scott Steinwert

Senior Principal

Scott thrives on helping clients study the effects of major infrastructure projects on the environment and designing and building these projects with minimal impact and often benefits to the environment. With 20 years of environmental planning experience on many high-profile documents, Scott helps clients figure out how to streamline the often arduous environmental process while still providing the environmental protections intended by laws and regulations. He is expert in leading interdisciplinary teams of specialists in all areas of environmental analysis and planning, crafting integrated public involvement strategies, and believes strongly in creating communications tools that make environmental documents more approachable and understandable for a broader audience – to get back to the core intent of our environmental laws and regulations.

Simon Stahl

Art Director

Simon has always been fascinated by visual storytelling and by the potential of new technologies to transform art and design. With a background in computer graphics and animation, he has the ability to bridge the gap between artists and engineers. His seven years of experience as an art director at an award-winning publishing house taught him the intricacies of illustration and print production. Simon enjoys working with clients to create groundbreaking solutions to their design needs, and to tell their stories in the most creative and distinct ways possible.

Selected Experience:

Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services Mental Health Campaign
Sacramento Recycling and Solid Waste Communication Services
Caltrain Electrification Strategic Communications

Stacey Miller

Senior Project Manager

Selected Experience:

Caltrain Electrification 4610.XX
Strategic Highway Safety Plan 4953, 5660
Irvine Shares the Way 4494

Tom Biering

Project Manager

Tom is a Project Manager with a decade of experience supporting environmental and conservation initiatives through program management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications. He has led multi-partner efforts across California, developing work plans, facilitating collaborative planning processes, and translating complex technical topics into clear, accessible messaging for agencies, partners, and communities. Tom brings a strong desire to bring people together, including multi-stakeholder groups around shared goals, delivering thoughtful, well-organized programs that help move complex initiatives forward.

Outside the office, you can find Tom channeling his passion for community engagement by supporting events for KEXP, a listener-powered arts and culture nonprofit and radio station in and around the Bay Area. And if he’s not doing that, then you will most likely find him with a cup of coffee in hand, most likely a light roast, single origin, at your local specialty coffee shop.

Selected Experience:

SBCAG State Route 135 Comprehensive Corridor Study: Supports stakeholder research, engagement strategy, bilingual outreach planning, and public-facing communications addressing transportation safety, mobility, transit access, and multimodal connectivity.
OC Sailing & Events Center Long-Term Planning Project: Coordinates outreach planning, stakeholder engagement, community meeting materials, digital communications, and event logistics to gather input on the future enhancements for the area.
Caltrans District 4 Vehicle Miles Traveled Mitigation Bank and Exchange Study: Supports communications strategy and the development of accessible materials and tools that clarify complex technical and policy concepts, strengthen coordination across the study’s internal governance structure, and communicate progress and key findings to external agency and stakeholder audiences.