Join us in giving the newest members of Sustainable Conservation’s Board of Directors, Ellen Hanak and Nicole Montna Van Vleck, a warm welcome!
Ellen Hanak is an adjunct fellow with the PPIC Water Policy Center with decades of experience in California water issues. She founded the PPIC Water Policy Center in 2015, where she held the Ellen Hanak Chair in Water Policy, and served as its first director. She was also a vice president and senior fellow with the Public Policy Institute of California. Previously, she served as the institute’s research director. Under her leadership, the center became a critical source of information and guidance for natural resource management in California.
I’ve been a longtime partner and admirer of Sustainable Conservation through my work at the PPIC Water Policy Center, especially when it comes to promoting groundwater sustainability and the health and prosperity of working lands in the San Joaquin Valley. I’ve always really valued Sustainable Conservation’s philosophy of looking for solutions that work for business, communities, and nature, and I’m excited for the opportunity to support the organization as a Board Member. Ellen Hanak, Sustainable Conservation Board Member
Ellen has authored dozens of reports, articles, and books on water policy, including Managing California’s Water. Her research has been frequently profiled in the national media, and she has participated in briefings, conferences, and interviews throughout the nation and around the world. Her other areas of expertise include climate change and infrastructure finance. Before joining PPIC, she held positions with the French agricultural research system, the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, and the World Bank. She holds a PhD in economics from the University of Maryland, an MA in economics from the University of Dar es Salaam, and a BA in history from Swarthmore College.
Ellen has made exceptional contributions to advancing collaborative, innovative, and science-based water policies — approaches that are well-aligned with Sustainable Conservation. We are thrilled to have Ellen join the Board and offer her deep expertise in California water. Richael Young, Sustainable Conservation Senior Director, Water for the Future
Nicole Montna Van Vleck is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Montna Farms, a vertically integrated, family-owned agricultural enterprise based in Yuba City, California. Montna Farms is a leading producer of Japanese short-grain specialty rice and is widely recognized for its leadership in working-lands conservation and sustainable agricultural practices.
Nicole is a respected advocate for California agriculture, with particular expertise in rice production, water policy, and sustainability. She currently serves as Chair of the California Rice Industry Association and has held numerous leadership roles within the California Rice Commission and USA Rice, including Chair of the USA Rice Farmers Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the Sustainability Competitiveness Task Force. She continues to serve on the USA Rice Board and several national committees focused on policy, communications, and sustainability. In addition, she is an officer and board member of American Commodity Company, a rice milling and marketing company headquartered in Williams, California.
Her leadership in water governance spans more than two decades. Nicole serves as President of her local water company and as a board member of the Northern California Water Association, where she has held multiple executive and committee leadership roles. She also serves as Vice Chair and founding board member of River Valley Community Bank, reflecting her commitment to strong regional institutions that support rural economies and long-term stewardship.
I’m honored to join the Board of Sustainable Conservation and to support an organization that brings together agriculture, environmental stewardship, and science-based solutions. As a farmer and conservationist, I believe collaboration is essential to sustaining working landscapes while protecting California’s natural resources for future generations. Nicole Montna Van Vleck, Sustainable Conservation Board Member
Nicole’s contributions to agriculture, water stewardship, and business leadership have been widely recognized. She received the Common Threads Award in 2017 for exemplary community leadership; was named a Women Who Mean Business honoree by the Sacramento Business Journal in 2015; and was recognized as one of Sacramento’s Inspiring CEOs in 2025. In 2021, she received the USA Rice Farmer of the Year Award for her national advocacy on behalf of U.S. rice farmers. Most recently, in 2026, she was named Businesswoman of the Year by the Metro Chamber of Commerce, representing six counties in the greater Sacramento region.
Nicole will bring an invaluable perspective to Sustainable Conservation’s Board of Directors. Her background as a grower, land steward, and longtime leader in water governance uniquely equips her to advise the organization on solutions that support communities, ecosystems, and agriculture. Ryan Flaherty, Sustainable Conservation Senior Director, Circular Economies
