Why I joined PINA Members of the PINA Board of Directors tell us why they joined the organization.

Board Member Updates – August 2025

The PINA board would like to acknowledge recent changes in the board’s membership and convey our appreciation to those who have served and are now leaving us.

Director Salina Duncan of Baltimore has resigned, effective July 1, to devote her attention to important family matters. We are grateful for her kind and thoughtful service since January, 2024 as a director, and for the period October ‘24 to April ‘25 as a member of the Executive Committee. Salina was a recipient of the 2019-2020 Design Contest prize for her work in the Guatemalan Highlands.

Director Monica Ibacache joined the board in March of 2017, and was elected President of PINA, effective 10/1/18. Though she remains a member of the board, in our annual meeting in December of 2024, Monica turned in her resignation as President as of March 31, 2025 because of increasing responsibilities in her work outside of PINA. Her resignation was accepted by the board. We very much appreciate her years of service and devotion to PINA as President, and wish her well as she puts greater emphasis on her work teaching permaculture to youth and children.  

On April 1, 2025, Koreen Brennan of Florida, Vice President since January 2024, became Acting President. Koreen entered PINA board service January 1, 2016, along with Bob Randall. The board, at a special election on July 24th, 2025, affirmed Koreen as President through the end of this year, and elected Darrell Frey of Pennsylvania, then and still Treasurer, to also fill the office of Vice President. Darrell is the longest serving member of the PINA board, having been a founding director, along with Jude Hobbs, Wayne Weiseman, and Peter Bane, from the fall of 2012. 

Past Presidents and Key Officers

Jude Hobbs was founding President, serving five momentous and formative years from 2012-2017.

Peter Bane replaced her at that time, allowing her to focus on her exemplary advanced teaching work. He served until October 1, 2018, when he resigned the Presidency and accepted the role of Board Coordinator. Peter was a founding director of the organization and served as its Secretary from 2012-2017. Bob Randall of Houston, Texas replaced him as Secretary and continues to hold that role. 

Peter was later elevated to Executive Director in February 2019, and continues to serve in that capacity, but has announced his retirement from staff effective Dec. 31, 2025.

We are grateful to our past and present directors, officers, and staff, and most especially to those long-serving and distinguished veteran activists who have advanced the cause of permaculture through their decades of selfless service both within and beyond PINA. The present Executive committee, along with Director Marco Chung-shu Lam, and dozens of other pioneering teachers, designers, trustees, and organizers, hold the PINA Professional Diploma, an achievement made possible by the hard work of all who have supported PINA over the years. We proudly note that Executive Director Peter Bane also holds diplomas from the Permaculture Institute – USA, and the British Pc Academy Worknet recognizing his 35 years of service to our movement.

The board is accepting applications from now through 9/15 for the position of Executive Director, and we encourage our members and readers to share this opportunity with their networks. PINA is seeking to fill some very big shoes.

Allied Organizations

PINA offers organizational membership to non-profits, enterprises, informal local associations and guilds that endorse the permaculture ethics and support PINA’s mission.

Learn about the benefits of becoming an Allied Organization.

List of Allied Organizations

PINA is a Proud Recipient