San Mateo County names wildfire recovery leader Hannah Ormshaw as new Parks Director
San Mateo County, California – A career that began with a youth stewardship crew more than a decade ago has now reached the top of San Mateo County’s parks system. Hannah Ormshaw has been appointed Parks Director after the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors approved her selection.
The appointment gives the department a leader whose work has stretched from GIS mapping and habitat restoration to wildfire recovery and long-term park planning. Ormshaw first joined San Mateo County Parks in 2015 as a Student Conservation Association Youth Stewardship Crew Leader, later serving as a Senior GIS Intern.
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After two years as an Assistant Ecologist with the Alameda Resource Conservation District, she returned to the County as a Natural Resource Specialist. Her rise through the department followed quickly: Natural Resources Manager in 2019, Assistant Parks Director in 2021 and Parks Director in 2026.
“Having worked closely with Hannah, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply she cares about the people she works with, our parks, and the communities we serve. She leads with integrity and a genuine commitment to the Department, and I know she will continue to make a meaningful impact on San Mateo County Parks,” Interim Parks Director Emma Gonzalez said.
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Ormshaw’s environmental background has shaped much of her work. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo and a master’s degree from the University of Toronto. Earlier positions included work with Parks Canada, Natural Resources Canada and conservation authorities in Canada.
As Natural Resources Manager, she directed projects involving invasive species control, habitat improvement, wildfire fuel reduction, forest health, wildlife monitoring and GIS mapping.
One of her most prominent assignments came after the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire burned more than 2,800 acres of Pescadero Creek Park. Ormshaw led development of the County’s Climate & Habitat Resiliency Plan, which established a framework for ecosystem recovery, infrastructure protection and long-term resilience. The Board of Supervisors adopted the plan in 2022.
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The funding approach also included selling less resilient trees for lumber and directing proceeds into a trust fund for future restoration work at the park.
In her new role, Ormshaw will oversee broader priorities including capital projects, accessibility, wildfire management, environmental stewardship and long-term planning.
“San Mateo County Parks is fortunate to have a leader who combines deep knowledge of our natural resources with a clear vision for the future,” Parks Superintendent Scott Lombardi said.
Her appointment places a longtime department employee at the center of decisions that will shape how San Mateo County protects its parks while keeping them resilient, accessible and open to future generations.
