Growing up, I spent summers with my family in rural Mexico where I witnessed how climate change altered the stable weather patterns of my childhood into unpredictable ones. The contrast of living in New York City and later Minneapolis deepened my awareness of how the actions of the global north impact the global majority, and how the consequences of climate change have tangible impacts on the places and people I love.

I am inspired by how Environmental Initiative brings together partners from government, business, and community to work towards solutions to environmental challenges. It is easy to give into the anxieties that afflict the modern world, but I am driven to work with others to achieve tangible change.

I am also motivated by doing good work and being of service to others. I like being an active member of the community and knowing that the work I do makes the world a better place. Environmental Initiative’s clean air projects are good opportunities to come together to tackle problems that affect our communities.

A quote that grounds me every day is “hope is a discipline” from Mariame Kaba. She rejects “hope” as an emotion and instead challenges us to practice hope by showing up every day and actively working toward a better future.