Ryley Katz brings nearly two decades of leadership in youth development and nonprofit innovation to her role as Interim Chief Executive Officer of Camp Tawonga. With deep expertise in community engagement, strategic program design, and organizational growth, Ryley has built a career centered on strengthening mission-driven organizations through people-first, community-centered approaches.

Early in her career, Ryley worked in youth-oriented political advocacy and nonprofit education, where she managed executive administration and contract management for a national training institute. This experience grounded her in organizational operations, stakeholder engagement, and mission-driven strategy—skills that continue to inform her leadership today.

A lifelong member of the Camp Tawonga community, Ryley’s connection to the organization spans decades. She was a camper in the 1990s, a summer staff member in the early 2000s, and joined Tawonga’s professional team in 2006. Since then, she has played a central role in shaping the organization’s programs, partnerships, and long-term strategy—helping guide Tawonga through periods of growth, change, and innovation.

Throughout her tenure, Ryley has held multiple senior leadership roles reflecting both breadth and depth of responsibility. As Assistant Director of Administration, she oversaw marketing, communications, donor stewardship, and enrollment, helping build the operational infrastructure that supports thousands of campers and families annually. As Director of Communication and Family Outreach, she strengthened Tawonga’s organizational voice, deepened family partnerships, and contributed to the strategic planning process that envisioned Tawonga at 100, laying the groundwork for expanded initiatives such as the B*Mitzvah program.

After seven years as a self-employed consultant specializing in marketing and sales for direct-to-consumer products, Ryley returned to Tawonga to lead family engagement and later stepped into the role of Senior Director of Programs and Innovation. In that role, she oversees all non-summer camp programming—both on-site and off-site—as well as enrollment, financial assistance, and marketing, and serves as a key staff leader shaping Tawonga’s strategic direction beyond its centennial.

As Interim CEO, Ryley brings deep institutional knowledge, trusted relationships, and a steady leadership approach focused on continuity, collaboration, and impact. She is committed to honoring Camp Tawonga’s legacy while supporting staff, strengthening community connections, and advancing the organization’s mission into its next chapter.

Ryley lives in Walnut Creek with her husband, Jason, and their three daughters, who proudly continue the family tradition as Tawonga campers. She is an active member of Temple Isaiah of Contra Costa County, serves on the Advisory Council for the temple’s religious school, and volunteers as a youth sports coach and Girl Scout troop leader. These roles, much like her work at Tawonga, underscore her unwavering commitment to nurturing young people and building strong, supportive communities.