Work: Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL) southeast regional coordinator supporting volunteers organizing in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Proudest achievement: Being a rapporteur and participating in the dialogues that created a national strategy framework for the United States for Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) to deliver at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow. ACE is the UNFCCC agenda area based on Article 6 of the convention, which offers nations real practical leverage for enhanced climate action through a science-informed, locally rooted, multifaceted stakeholder network. I’m attending COP26 as a member of the CCL delegation that has been working on this. I have the honor of being listed in Empowering Climate Action in the United States as a rapporteur on page 108.

Expectations for the future: Empower others to be part of the solution, offering opportunities for community-based actions, civic and political engagements, and cultivating a collaboration culture at all levels. In other words, the official implementation of the national strategy framework for the United States for Action for Climate Empowerment with the help of the governments and other key players. If our national strategy framework is officially adopted at COP26, everyone has a role to play. I’m excited about CCL role and how this will increase engagement at the community level in my region. 

Favorite websites: PBS.org 

Local or global causes supported: Creating the political will for climate solutions, Carbon price and dividend, Water Quality Board member at Calusa Waterkeeper, Conservation and Political Committee-Sierra Club Group Calusa vice-chair, Pachamama Alliance SWFL - core team member, SWFL Reset Center, education, voting rights, and get out to vote campaign in the 2020 election - League of Women Voters of Collier County Young Leaders Steering Sub Committee - Founder  and LWVCC First Leadership program graduate, Everglades Restoration - Everglades Coalition advocate, ecosystems restoration.

Favorite thing about Natural Awakenings: Climate Change-related articles, health articles and local events calendar. 

Where you pick up your copy of Natural Awakenings: Unity of Naples, when I go to meditate in the labyrinth.

Favorite healthy food restaurant: Lulu's Kitchen

How I support my community: I volunteer as much as I can helping with Meals for Hope at Sugden Park some Tuesdays, planting trees with Habitat for Humanity, One Tree and Growing Climate Solutions, and as a Citizen Science volunteer for Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch in Collier and Lee County.

Favorite inspirational quote: "Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world." Dolores Huerta. 

How I am being the change I want to see in the world: I started as a volunteer and concerned citizen and decided to learn the skills necessary to be effective with our government to enact policies that have the public interest at heart. I’m still learning as a part-time political science student at FGCU and took leadership roles as I got more involved. I want my story of ordinary people empowering themselves to make a difference, becoming leaders, activists and being part of solutions repeats itself many times. I want to inspire leaders from our frontline communities that experience the intersectionality of social and environmental issues to be part of the movement because I see the incredible things we can create and do when we all come together. For me this is HOPE, my antidote to despair in this global critical time.