Book Worms

As a program coordinator for youth programs, Stassya schedules, coordinates, and implements the Bike and Walk Smart programs in schools across Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Clara Counties. She loves to teach youth how to navigate their communities by bike and on foot safely. Stassya is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz with a BA in Environmental Studies and a BA in Anthropology.

Chloe Ortiz is joining Ecology Action as a Youth Program Coordinator. She grew up in La Honda and Santa Cruz, where biking to school every day introduced her to the joys of bike recreation and advocacy. At Pitzer College she studied environment, politics, and religion– and went on to combine those interests as a 2022 Thomas J. Watson Fellow during a year-long project exploring Catholic eco-theology around the world. She is excited to be back in her hometown and continue working towards making it a bikeable city for everyone. In her free time enjoys playing bike polo, roller skating, reading, and swimming in the ocean.

Chuck Tremper brings a broad range of experience and expertise to Ecology Action that he utilizes to oversee accounting, human resources, information technology, communications, compliance, risk management, facilities, governance and strategic planning for the organization. Over the past 30 years, Chuck has helped launch the AmeriCorps national service program, been a professor of both Law and Psychology, served as Chief Information Officer for large nonprofit organizations, held administrative, marketing and technical positions for software companies, provided management consulting services and conducted a variety of policy research and evaluation projects. However, his greatest fulfillment is in helping individuals and businesses take actions that benefit themselves, their businesses and the planet.

Chuck is best known as the author of As the Oceans Rise: Meeting the Challenges of Global Warming, playing doubles beach volleyball, and entertaining the staff at all-hands meetings.

As Lead Generation & Outreach Specialist on the EV Charging team, Dennis leads customer and community engagements throughout the EV Charging installation process. He generates interest in the program and shepherds qualified properties through the application process, and conducts outreach and education to residents and community members at the start and completion of installations. Dennis holds a BA in English from Providence College and dual Masters in Sustainable Business Administration and Sustainable Public Administration from Presidio Graduate School.

As Senior Corporate Compliance Manager for Ecology Action, Erin manages EA’s contracting process, insurance policies, risk mitigation, and regulatory filings. Erin is a Kentucky native, having graduated from the University of Kentucky. Erin also has a J.D. from Cardozo School of Law in New York City.

Heather’s work focuses on community-based natural resource advocacy and research with a focus on drinking water access and watershed management. She is currently the Director of Community Solutions at the Community Water Center’s new Watsonville office, where she connects small, disadvantaged communities with technical and financial resources to address persistent water contamination. Her previous experience has included working as a research consultant for Stanford University focusing on projects related to the environment and education, as well as working for the National Parks Conservation Association as Program Manager and Facilitator of the New River Clean Water Alliance in West Virginia. Heather is a published author of many journal papers on water research topics, and has received numerous awards recognizing her work and leadership. Heather holds a PhD in Environment and Resources from Stanford University, as well as a Masters of Environmental Engineering and Water Resources, and a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from MIT.

As Community Activation Program Specialist, Jasmine manages, plans and implements community programs for Alisal in Salinas and Green Valley Road in Watsonville. This is all made possible by Ecology Action’s new Clean California Grant which works to help residents of each community build pride and ownership in their communities and allow residents to live a healthier lifestyle. Some of the Clean California projects include Community Walking Groups, Walking School Busses and Family Fun Events. Jasmine is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz and holds a BA in Environmental Studies.

As a transportation justice coordinator, Jordynn works with the Ecology Action’s Electric Vehicle Equity team to promote EV education and provide 1:1 on assistance for community members in EA’s purchase guidance program. In addition to working with the EV Equity team, Jordynn has also been lucky enough to work with other departments, including Ecology Action’s Development department, the Water Division, and the Adult Bike team.

Jordynn is a UC Santa Cruz alumni with a BA in Environmental Studies and Feminist Studies with a focus on representation and power.

As a Construction Project Manager in the Construction Services Division of Taper, Koralie manages subcontractor scopes and schedules to implement energy saving work in grocery stores throughout California and the Pacific Northwest. This work includes refrigeration case modifications such as component cleaning, modification, and the addition of case doors to drastically reduce the electrical load and carbon impact. Prior to joining Ecology Action and Taper, Koralie worked for 17 years in the Solar Industry and brings her construction management and technical expertise to the team.

As Program Specialist for Ecology Action’s Safe Routes to School Program in Monterey County, Leann supervises the Monterey County team’s Walk Smart and Bike Smart Program. Leann also leads all encouragement work for grants in Monterey County. Leann is an alumni of CSU Monterey Bay and Middlebury Institute of International Studies and holds a BA in Environmental Studies and an MA in International Environmental Policy.

Rachel is a Midwest native with a West Coast vibe. She comes to Ecology Action with a depth of marketing experience and brings her skills for storytelling and social media to the marketing team. As the Digital Marketing Manager, Rachel is tasked with bringing the mission of Ecology Action alive on the web and in all communication efforts. Rachel finds her inspiration on two feet and is always searching for the best roads or trails to run.