Our Inspiration
As longtime San Jose residents, we’ve watched our beloved local lakes—Lake Cunningham and Almaden Lake—decline from vibrant community spaces to waters too polluted for safe recreation. Watching this has been heartbreaking.
As former employees of the City of San Jose, we also saw the other side — the dedicated staff working tirelessly to protect these lakes, often frustrated by limited tools and resources that couldn’t stop the decline.
When we discovered a proven way to reverse this damage and make our lakes swimmable again, we knew we had to act. We began imagining triathlons returning, families boating, and children once again playing by clean, living waters.
Then we learned that restoration solutions extend far beyond bodies of water—offering ways to improve the health of entire ecosystems, from ponds and wetlands to farmland and open spaces. That realization expanded our mission and deepened our excitement.
That’s why we created the Restoration Ecosystem Foundation—to connect public/quasi-public agencies and nonprofit organizations with the right tools and partnerships to bring nature back to life.
We invite you to join us in bringing new life to our waters and our lands—and renewed hope to the communities that depend on them.
VISION
Transforming our planet through healthy, resilient ecosystems.
MISSION
We empower partners with resources and funding to restore ecosystems and revitalize communities.
VALUES
Innovation
Impact
Collaboration
Commitment to Excellence
Stewardship
Board of Directors
Ammal Elhaddad
Ammal is a nationally recognized consultant with over two decades of experience across the nonprofit, corporate, and government sectors. A former AmeriCorps member, she is deeply committed to advancing sustainable development and civic empowerment through scalable, impact-oriented solutions. She has led innovative public-private partnerships and community-driven initiatives that expand access to opportunity and foster resilient, thriving communities. A graduate of the University of Miami, Ammal earned her bachelor's degree in Biology and English from the College of Arts & Sciences, where she cultivated a strong foundation in ecological systems and a longstanding dedication to public service. She brings a unique blend of scientific insight and operational expertise to her work with mission-driven organizations across sectors focused on creating transformative and enduring impact.
Michele Dexter
Michele is a dedicated public servant with over a decade of experience serving San José, working alongside three consecutive councilmembers. A third-generation San José native, her deep roots and family legacy of entrepreneurship inspire her commitment to the community. In 2002, she co-founded NDYNAMICS, Inc., providing IT services to businesses while raising her two sons. Known for her hands-on leadership and ability to bring people together, Michele is also CERT-trained, a licensed ham radio operator, and an active neighborhood organizer, earning a reputation for dedication and trust throughout San José.
Alexandra Vargas, DNP, APRN
Alexandra Vargas brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, clinical research, and environmental innovation. She began her career as a registered nurse, dedicating a decade to patient care before advancing to the role of Nurse Practitioner, where she spent an additional ten years specializing in infectious disease management. During this time, she also served as a sub-investigator for multiple clinical trials, contributing to research efforts aimed at improving patient outcomes and advancing evidence-based care. In 2023, she expanded her focus to research initiatives centered on environmental restoration, sustainable agriculture, and greenhouse gas reduction. Her work bridges science, health, and ecological stewardship, reflecting a commitment to developing practical solutions that support both environmental resilience and community well-being. In 2024, she earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice and traveled to Colombia to collaborate with rice farmers on implementing innovative agricultural technologies designed to improve crop productivity and sustainability. Drawing on her diverse background in healthcare, research, and environmental systems, she brings a multidisciplinary perspective to the Restoration Ecosystem Foundation’s mission of advancing restoration, sustainability, and long-term ecological impact.