Katherine Toy

Katherine Toy, ’91, MA ’95 made history when Governor Gavin Newsom appointed her as the first-ever Deputy Secretary for Access to the California Natural Resources Agency in January 2022. As Deputy Secretary for Access, she leads the agency’s efforts to expand equitable access to the public lands, museums and historic spaces operated and managed by the Natural Resources Agency for all Californians. Katherine also serves as the agency’s key point of contact with the Department of Parks and Recreation to support the department as it responds to emerging challenges and opportunities.  Katherine’s deep belief in the ability of “everyday people to make history every day” has shaped her career. She has spent the last 30 years working to increase access, belonging, and participation in public and civic spaces and institutions -- from teaching history to championing volunteer engagement, and, most recently, as Deputy CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. Katherine’s knowledge and experience with parks, history, and untold stories began when she became the first Executive Director of the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, championing the restoration and interpretation of the historic U.S. Immigration Station at Angel Island State Park. Katherine has served on a number of boards, committees, and commissions, including for the Stanford Historical Society, the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, Girl Scouts of Northern California, and the California State Parks and Recreation Commission.