Staff

Before coming to Quaker Center, Nico worked for many years at Casa de los Amigos, a Quaker Peace Center in Mexico City. At the Casa he practiced Hospitality, and worked to build community and receive groups and guests into Friends’ peacework. Nico is a member of Mexico City Friends Meeting. His daughter Agnita is a senior at San Lorenzo Valley High School.

Elena Rosales-Anderson is Quaker Center’s Office and Hospitality Manager, working with the many organizations, groups and guests that come to stay in our lodges and cabins. Elena has been involved with Quaker Center throughout her life, and she and her family live happily here in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Elena is a member of Redwood Forest Friends Meeting in Santa Rosa, California.

Ben’s experience in forestry, construction, fire mitigation and permaculture makes him an excellent Maintenance Technician. He is married to Thistle (they/them) and they have a daughter Emmylou and a son Robin. Thistle and Ben were wed in the Redwood Circle at Quaker Center in 2022.

Carlos grew up in Santa Cruz and is interested in communication, music, dance, movement, and good food. He lives in Ben Lomond.

Mark takes great joy in enriching the Quaker community he grew up in and still considers his spiritual home. A lifetime California Quaker, he is passionate about building a future for Quaker spirituality. Outside of work, Mark loves kayaking, soccer and ‘solving the world’s problems.’ Mark and his wife, Emily, recently welcomed their first son, Theo born January 14th, 2025.