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.

Ben first encountered the “tall, tall trees” during the summer of 1996. It rained every day he was there and he vowed he would never come back. After his mom literally forced him on the bus two years later, the East Bay native can’t get enough of the Tuolumne River. Ben was a camper for five glorious summers and became a summer staff member in 2003. Ben has worn many hats during his 13 summers working at Camp: counselor, lifeguard, assistant director, driver, office staff, nanny, unit head and Teen Service Learning supervisor. Ben joined Camp Tawonga’s full-time staff in 2015 and he absolutely loves talking to parents about his experience and how meaningful it has been in his life. Ben lives in Kensington with with his wife Kelli (whom he met at Camp Tawonga), their daughter Sierra and their dog Sadie. In his free time, Ben likes to go on hikes, play Ultimate Frisbee and go to movies.

Shoshie has been a Tawongan for 20+ years, starting as a camper and working seasonally as a counselor, CIT leader, unit head and a summertime assistant director. She is currently the Director of Family Engagement and loves sharing her passion and dedication for working with children and families. Prior to this role, Shoshie worked as a special education preschool teacher. She earned a B.A. in Developmental Psychology from UC Santa Cruz and a Masters of Infant Mental Health and an Early Childhood Special Education Credential from Mills College. Shoshie lives in San Francisco with her husband and two children and enjoys traveling, cooking, camping, and spending time with family and friends.