Newport Bay Naturalists And Friends

Profile Current (Last updated: Jan 08, 2026 )

MANAGEMENT

CEO/Executive Director

Heather Cieslak MPA

CEO/Executive Director Experience

Heather Cieslak grew up in Illinois and moved to California after graduating from Northern Illinois University with a BA in Marketing. Previously, Heather was the Finance and Operations Manager with Amigos de los Rios, a nonprofit committed to protecting and restoring open space in urban environments, specifically in East LA County. Prior to that, Heather spent a number of years as Associate Director with National Assistance League, responsible for marketing, fundraising and administration to support their 125 chapters nationwide. Also while at NAL, she pursued her MPA in Nonprofit Organizational Management from California State University Northridge. As Operations Director, Heather ensures our programs and activities are part of an overall annual plan and supporting budget, that they are well-managed, and that we are actively marketing and communicating our mission and activities to our community.

Staff Information

Number of Full-Time Staff 5
Number of Part-Time Staff 5
Number of Volunteers 250
Number of Contract Staff 19

Staff Demographics

Ethnicity
Other 0
Caucasian 15
Hispanic/Latino 8
African American/Black 1
Asian American/Pacific Islander 6
Native American/American Indian 0
Gender
Male 9
Female 21
Not Specified 0

CONTACT

Newport Bay Naturalists And Friends

PO BOX 10804
NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658

heather.cieslak@newportbay.org

Phone: 949-923-2269

www.newportbay.org