Meet the Executive Team

Zoe Heller was appointed Director of CalRecycle in May 2024. 

Director Heller served as CalRecycle’s first deputy director over the Division of Circular Economy since May 2023. Prior to that, she helmed CalRecycle’s Division of Mixed Materials and Local Assistance. She previously served as CalRecycle’s deputy director over the Office of Policy. 

Earlier in her career, Director Heller worked at the U.S. EPA’s Pacific Southwest Office for more than 10 years. She was also a manager for the Zero Waste section for three years and served as special assistant to the Regional Administrator, and an environmental protection specialist in the Environmental Justice program. Director Heller also served as a research and policy analyst at the Center for Neighborhood Technology in Chicago, Illinois.

Ms. Heller holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Policy from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, and a Master of Public Administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois.

Mindy McIntyre was appointed CalRecycle’s Chief Deputy Director by Governor Gavin Newsom in February 2022.

Prior to her appointment, she served as a Deputy Cabinet Secretary in the Office of the Governor since 2021. Ms. McIntyre was Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs at CalRecycle from 2016 to 2021, Legislative Consultant in the Office of Senator Lois Wolk from 2009 to 2016, and Water Program Manager at the Planning and Conservation League from 2003 to 2009.

Ms McIntyre earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Resource Science from the University of California, Davis.

Emel Wadhwani was appointed Chief Counsel in February 2025.

Chief Counsel Wadhwani comes to CalRecycle after serving as Assistant Chief Counsel at the State Water Resources Control Board since 2018, and an Attorney at the Board for eleven years before that. She also served as Acting Deputy Secretary for Law Enforcement and General Counsel at the California Environmental Protection Agency for several months in 2024. 

Previously, Wadhwani worked in the private sector as an Attorney at Murphy, Hesse, Toomey and Lehane, LLP and at Foley Hoag, LLP.  

Prior to that, Wadhwani was a legal clerk to the Honorable Norman H. Stahl, 1st Circuit Court of Appeals. 

Wadhwani earned a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School, Master of Public Policy degree from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Bachelor of the Arts degree in History from Yale University. 

Kevin Campbell has served as CalRecycle’s Deputy Director of the Office of Audits since May 2023.

Mr. Campbell brings 30 years of management experience to his position. Most recently, he served as a Supervising Management Auditor at CalRecycle for 17 years. Previously, he served as a Staff Services Manager I at the Employee Development Department, the Victims Compensation Board, and the Department of Social Services.  

Mr. Campbell earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from California State University, Sacramento, and is a Certified Project Management Professional.

Allegra Curiel was appointed Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs in October 2024.

Curiel came to CalRecycle after serving as a Senior Policy Advocate at the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance, and Policy Manager at Newlight Technologies Inc. 

This appointment marks Curiel’s return to CalRecycle where she previously held multiple positions, including Legislative Analyst, Disaster Recovery Operations Analyst, and Executive Fellow with the Capital Fellows Program. 

Curiel earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political, Legal, and Economic Analysis from Mills College.

Katrina Leni-Konig was appointed Deputy Director of Environmental Justice, Tribal Relations, Education and Outreach in November 2023.

Prior to that, Ms. Leni-Konig worked at the California Energy Commission as the Deputy Public Advisor and Tribal Liaison, focusing on energy equity, tribal consultation and energy sovereignty, community engagement, and collaboration among diverse, interested parties.

She also served as a Supervisor of Technology Scale-Up and Outreach at the California Energy Commission, where she oversaw research and development initiatives focused on clean energy transitions to advance energy equity. She also led events to increase understanding of the state’s energy policies and programs to enhance participation and benefits for underresourced communities.

Prior to that, Ms. Leni-Konig served as a middle school math and science teacher developing an integrated environmental curriculum to engage students as collaborative problem solvers, innovative engineers, and environmental stewards. 

Previously, she worked as a Senior Engineer evaluating emerging technologies for six years at PG&E.

Ms. Leni-Konig earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and a Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies, with a concentration in Environmental Management and Sustainability from Harvard University.

Clara Vazeix was appointed Deputy Director of the Office of Policy Development and Analysis in November 2023.

Ms. Vazeix has international public policy and legislative experience and is trilingual in English, Spanish, and French. Most recently, she served as a Policy Consultant at Californians Against Waste, focused on advancing policy and providing regulatory support in the areas of beverage container recycling, e-waste, and producer responsibility.

Previously Ms. Vazeix served as a legislative consultant in the California State Senate for five years, including working for the then President Pro Tem, crafting policy and legislation on environmental, wildfire and immigration issues. Prior to that she was a legislative staff member in the French National Assembly.

Ms. Vazeix earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and a Master of Arts in International Relations from the Institute of Political Studies of Lyon, France.

Maria West was appointed CalRecycle’s Deputy Director of Communications by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2019.

Before joining CalRecycle, she served as a public information officer at the California Department of Water Resources, where she managed Save Our Water, the state’s water conservation campaign, and provided media relations for drought, climate change and water use and efficiency.

Prior to that, Deputy Director West worked as an analyst at the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Before serving in California government, Deputy Director West was a manager at PRIDE Industries. She also spent 16 years as a writer and marketing project manager, and also trained Fortune 500 companies on strengths-based innovation and team management. She has written five published books in the business, innovation and health fields. 

Ms. West holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Mills College in Oakland, California, and a Master’s degree in Psychology.

Amy Chatfield Cameron was appointed CalRecycle’s Deputy Director of the Division of Recycling (Beverage Container) by Governor Gavin Newsom in August 2021.

Before joining CalRecycle, Cameron served as Chief Deputy Director of the California Conservation Corps. She was the Education Administrator for the California Department of Education and Senior Administrative Analyst for the City of West Sacramento. Cameron’s roles at the California Department of Education included Education Programs Assistant, Special Programs Coordinator, and analyst.

She had previous roles with Yolo County Supervisor Mike McGowan and at Sacramento Loaves and Fishes.

Ms. Cameron holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration from California State University of Sacramento and earned her Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.

Mark de Bie serves as CalRecycle’s Deputy Director of the Division of Waste Permitting, Compliance, and Mitigation.

Mr. de Bie joined CalRecycle 1990 after working for Stanislaus County Environmental Health. Mr. de Bie has also worked as a high school science teacher in California, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Sierra Leone, West Africa.

During his time with CalRecycle, he has worked as a facility inspector, and as a supervisor for inspections, CEQA, and permitting, and the Solid Waste Local Enforcement Agency training program.

Mr. de Bie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in biological sciences from Humboldt State University and a Master of Science degree in marine science from California State University, Stanislaus, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories.

Michelle Martin was appointed Deputy Director of the Division of the Circular Economy in August 2024. 

With a career spanning over 20 years at CalRecycle, Ms. Martin has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s growth and impact. She began her journey at CalEPA in 1994 as a student assistant then joined CalRecycle in 1998, building her career alongside the evolution of the department.

Throughout her tenure, Ms. Martin has held various roles, including Grant Manager, Supervisor, and most recently as Branch Chief of the Financial Resources Management Branch. Her leadership has resulted in programmatic improvements and innovative grant programs. Her diverse experience has shaped her into a dynamic leader, emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and equity.

Ms. Martin’s leadership continues to make a significant impact on California’s environmental landscape, steering the shift toward a more circular and sustainable future. 

Cara Morgan became CalRecycle’s Deputy Director of the Division of Materials Management and Local Assistance in May 2023 after serving as the branch chief of the Local Assistance branch, providing technical assistance for over 614 jurisdictions and 200 state agencies in California. Ms. Morgan also helped lead CalRecycle’s adoption of Senate Bill 1383 legislation into regulations and other recycling initiatives.

Cara now leads SB 1383 teams providing compliance assistance, implementation tools, and training for jurisdiction, state agencies, school districts, federal facilities, and food recovery organizations. Cara has many years of experience successfully implementing and building the Circular Economy in California.

Ms. Morgan holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from California State University, Sacramento.

Jenn Hogan was appointed Deputy Director of the Office of Disaster Debris Recovery Operations in October 2024.

Jenn brings a wealth of experience in emergency response, recovery, and occupational health and safety. Before joining CalRecycle, Jenn served as the Mitigation Director for the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) overseeing the administration of the California Residential Mitigation Program and programs that provide grant funding to homeowners for residential seismic retrofits.

Prior to that, Jenn served as Assistant Director of Hazard Mitigation Assistance and State Hazard Mitigation Officer at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, overseeing the administration and implementation of California’s State Hazard Mitigation Plan and Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants.

Before serving in California government, Jenn served in various roles in emergency management, coordination, and communication.