Community

Tackling the world's toughest resource challenges is the shared purpose that connects us as an organization - and transcends the bottom-line.

  • Adriana A.

    Program Coordinator II - EV Promotion

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    Adriana A.

    Program Coordinator II - EV Promotion

    As the Volunteer Program Specialist for Ecology Action, Adriana oversees all the recruiting, training, retaining of existing volunteers and selection of individuals who demonstrate a commitment to the unique mission and values of Ecology Action.

    Adriana graduated from CSUS with a BS in Environmental Studies. Adriana enjoys spending time outdoors and being adventurous.

  • Alejandro C-L

    Program Coordinator ll - Youth Programs

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    Alejandro C-L

    Program Coordinator ll - Youth Programs

    As SRTS Educator & Program Coordinator, Alejandro implements the Bike Safe and Walk Safe programs at Elementary Schools throughout Monterey County. He ensures that students are empowered with alternative transportation education, encouraging them to participate in bringing positive change to the community, economy, and the environment.

  • Anastassya 'Stassya' Z.

    Program Coordinator ll - Youth Programs

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    Anastassya 'Stassya' Z.

    Program Coordinator ll - Youth Programs

    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.

  • Andrew H.

    Program Manager l - EV Promotion

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    Andrew H.

    Program Manager l - EV Promotion

    Andrew leads the team of all stars in EV Promotion at Ecology Action. This team brings talent and energy to the work of building equity in the EV transition space. Andrew’s commitment to climate work is inspired by a love for the ocean and other wild places. His understanding of how people are affected by climate change was deepened when dozens of friends lost homes in the Camp Fire in Paradise, CA in 2018.

    Andrew has two decades of experience in a variety of non-profit agencies spanning outdoor recreation, religious work, political advocacy, affordable housing and homeless services, and environmental conservation. When not working, you will find Andrew and his partner playing outside – surfing, running, cycling, hiking – or reading quietly at home.

  • Angel R

    EV Charging Customer Advisor – Project Manager

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    Angel R

    EV Charging Customer Advisor – Project Manager

    As EV Customer Advisor/Project Manager for Ecology Action’s EV Charging Division, Angel contacts multi-family residences and small business owners in our North Coast, and promotes EV charging to underserved communities to prepare them for our quickly arriving future in California when gas cars will no longer be sold. Angel has BA in Culture, Ecology and Sustainable Community from New College of California and an MA from Sonoma State University in Sustainable Communities with an emphasis on Sustainable Living.

  • Angela R.

    Program Specialist - Community Biking

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    Angela R.

    Program Specialist - Community Biking

  • Annalisa C.

    Program Specialist - Community Biking

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    Annalisa C.

    Program Specialist - Community Biking

  • Brian G.

    EV Charging Customer Advisor - Project Manager

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    Brian G.

    EV Charging Customer Advisor - Project Manager

  • Callie M.

    Office Manager

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    Callie M.

    Office Manager

    As a Program Coordinator and Youth Educator for Ecology Action’s youth programs, Callie plans and implements pedestrian and bicycle safety education as well as environmental education. Callie enjoys giving presentations, running Bike Rodeos, and collaborating with other community program staff. Callie is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz and holds a BA in Psychology and Education. She commutes to work on her bike and enjoys gardening, rollerblading, and making jewelry in her free time.

  • Chloe O.

    Program Coordinator ll - Youth Programs

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    Chloe O.

    Program Coordinator ll - Youth Programs

    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.

  • Danny O.

    Program Specialist - EV Promotion

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    Danny O.

    Program Specialist - EV Promotion

  • Darya O.

    EV Charging Customer Advisor - Project Manager

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    Darya O.

    EV Charging Customer Advisor - Project Manager

    Darya serves as a EV Charging Customer Advisor – Project Manager, which includes coordination of the property owner, contractor, and vendors throughout the entire process. Darya has spent the last ten years in solar PV, multi-family construction, and EV charging. He has a BS degree from Cal Poly SLO in City and Regional Planning with a minor in Sustainability in the Built Environment.

  • Dennis L.

    EV Charging Lead Generation and Outreach Specialist

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    Dennis L.

    EV Charging Lead Generation and Outreach Specialist

    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.

  • DeVon M.

    Lead Generation and Outreach Manager

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    DeVon M.

    Lead Generation and Outreach Manager

  • Dylan M.

    EV Charging Customer Advisor - Project Manager

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    Dylan M.

    EV Charging Customer Advisor - Project Manager

  • Edwina M.

    Program Coordinator II: Planning

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    Edwina M.

    Program Coordinator II: Planning

    As a Program Coordinator II with Ecology Action’s Transportation and Planning Team, Edwina manages and implements diverse sustainable projects, utilizing a multidisciplinary approach to address transportation challenges in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. These initiatives leverage her academic background in Sociology from UCSC to pioneer innovative solutions that foster healthier communities for all.

  • Emily G.

    Program Manager l - Resilient Central Coast

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    Emily G.

    Program Manager l - Resilient Central Coast

  • Emily P.

    Senior Grants and Development Specialist

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    Emily P.

    Senior Grants and Development Specialist

    As the Grants and Development Specialist, Emily supports fundraising for the Community Programs teams which advance climate solutions for individuals and communities in sustainable transportation, water conservation and climate action. Emily focuses on securing grants and expanding the individual donor base to ensure Ecology Action’s initiatives have the long-term funds to continue making a positive impact. Emily is a graduate of UC Berkeley with a BA in Global Studies with an Economic Development emphasis.

  • Gino G.

    Program Specialist - Planning

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    Gino G.

    Program Specialist - Planning

  • Jamie A.

    Operations Director, Community Programs

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    Jamie A.

    Operations Director, Community Programs

    As Community Programs Operations Director, Jamie supports the health and wellbeing of the Community Programs leadership and teams in our collective work to provide positive and impactful climate action pathways for our region’s communities while supporting the team’s strategic vision to expand program services and areas served. His portfolio includes planning, electric vehicles, water conservation, adult bike programming, youth programming, and the Community Action Campaign. Jamie holds a graduate degree in Marine, Estuarine & Environmental Sciences with an emphasis in ethology.

  • Jasmine Castillo R.

    Senior Program Specialist - Clean CA

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    Jasmine Castillo R.

    Senior Program Specialist - Clean CA

    As 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.

  • Jeanne L.

    Strategic Fund Development Director

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    Jeanne L.

    Strategic Fund Development Director

  • Jen L.

    Director of Fund Development and Philanthropy

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    Jen L.

    Director of Fund Development and Philanthropy

    Jen Lape has dedicated her professional life to furthering the missions of non-profits through sharing her fundraising expertise, board governance experience, and passion for making our shared communities and planet thrive. She has served many roles in her 16 years within the philanthropic sector from Director of Philanthropy, Director of Board Engagement, and Deputy Director for environmentally focused organizations such as Island Conservation and Ecology Action. Jen’s expertise focuses on development planning, board engagement, individual major giving, institutional giving, and government grant-making.

    Jen currently serves as Chair of the Big Sur Park School and PTO member of Pacific Valley School. She is a member of the Monterey Bay Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Jen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Master of Arts in Biology and Marine Science for the University of California, Santa Barbara.

  • Jennifer V.

    Program Coordinator ll - Community Biking

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    Jennifer V.

    Program Coordinator ll - Community Biking

  • Jordynn D.

    Program Coordinator II - EV Promotion

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    Jordynn D.

    Program Coordinator II - EV Promotion

    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.

  • Jose S.

    EV Charging Customer Advisor Team Manager

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    Jose S.

    EV Charging Customer Advisor Team Manager

    Jose is an EVITP (Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program) certified electrician. As Team Manager, Jose supports and guides a team of Customer Advisors across California in managing and overcoming the complexities and challenges of the rapidly evolving world of transportation electrification. Before coming to Ecology Action, Jose worked as a C-10 electrical contractor and managed hundreds of energy-efficient lighting projects for 14 years. Jose also holds a C-27 landscape contractor license and helped establish a landscaping and irrigation company in Santa Cruz to build drought-friendly landscapes throughout the Bay Area. In his world travels, Jose has seen large-scale, efficient electric vehicle infrastructure in action, which has influenced his passion for the work he does in his position at Ecology Action.

  • Juan C.

    Senior Program Specialist - Youth Programs

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    Juan C.

    Senior Program Specialist - Youth Programs

    As a Program Specialist for Ecology Action’s Safe Routes to School team, Juan leads program coordinators, oversees the implementation of youth programming for Santa Cruz County, and is the lead organizer for the county’s Bike and Walk to School Days. Juan graduated from UC Davis, majoring in Neurobiology with an Education minor. After graduating, he moved back to his hometown Santa Cruz and loves that he can make a difference in his community through education and encouragement programs.

  • Kalia V.

    Sustainability Service Corp Fellow

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    Kalia V.

    Sustainability Service Corp Fellow

    As a sustainability service fellow with ecology action, Kalia will be working with the resilient central coast and EV’s for everyone campaign. She will be engaging communities on actions to take to be prepared for climate change, while also providing guidance and information to people on electric vehicle purchases and rebates. Kalia is a graduate of Cal State East Bay and holds a BA in Sociocultural Anthropology with a minor in Philosophy, and an emphasis on Sustainability.

  • Kira T.

    Budget and Operations Analyst

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    Kira T.

    Budget and Operations Analyst

    As a Program Manager for Ecology Action’s Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) Program, Kira works closely with EA’s Development staff on strategic development and planning, ensures successful implementation of grant program deliverables, partners with the SRTS Program Staff Manager, prepares financial analysis and quarterly reports, and maintains relationships with key community partners. Kira graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a BA in Environmental Studies.

  • Leann L.

    Senior Program Specialist - Youth Programs

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    Leann L.

    Senior Program Specialist - Youth Programs

    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.

  • Mariana I.

    Program Manager ll - Youth Programs

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    Mariana I.

    Program Manager ll - Youth Programs

  • Marisol D.

    Program Specialist - Volunteer Program

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    Marisol D.

    Program Specialist - Volunteer Program

    Marisol Diaz, volunteer service program specialist with Ecology Action. Passionately driven to make a positive impact by engaging with communities and educating members on opportunities available to help make a difference. With over 15 years of volunteer managing experience, community engagement and project management. Leading the efforts for best practices on retention and streamlining volunteer recruitment with community partnerships. My goal is to share with others every action counts there are many wonderful things that can be done you can be that person and help make a difference in your community.

  • Matthew H

    EV Charging Customer Advisor – Project Manager

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    Matthew H

    EV Charging Customer Advisor – Project Manager

    As an EV Charging Customer Advisor – Project Manager for Ecology Action, Matt has the privilege of working directly with property managers and owners, as well as small business owners, to implement PG&E’s EV Charging program in the South San Joaquin area. This includes introducing the program to property owners, qualifying sites, overseeing contractors to ensure a quality installation for the customer, and educating the customer, and any site residents, on the use of EV Chargers.

  • Matt M.

    Program Manager l - Community Biking

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    Matt M.

    Program Manager l - Community Biking

    As Sr. Program Specialist for Ecology Action’s adult bike team, Matt manages, plans and implements a suite of programs designed to promote and support biking for everyday trips in Santa Cruz County. These programs include Bike Month, UCSC – Slugbikelife, EA Sustainable Transportation Membership, Go Santa Cruz E-Bike Rebate Program, and bike commuter workshops with the City of Santa Cruz and the Regional Transportation Commission.

    Matt is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz and holds a BA in Environmental Studies, with an emphasis in natural history and environmental education.

  • McKenna M.

    Program Coordinator ll - Youth Programs

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    McKenna M.

    Program Coordinator ll - Youth Programs

    As a Program Coordinator for Ecology Action’s youth programs team, McKenna conducts school outreach to bring pedestrian and bike safety education to schools throughout Santa Cruz, Monterey, and the Bay Area. She loves teaching kids how to ride a bike and explore their communities through active transportation. McKenna holds a BA in Urban and Environmental Policy with a minor in Public Health.

  • Odalys B

    Project Coordinator II

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    Odalys B

    Project Coordinator II

    As a Youth Program Coordinator, Odalys focuses on providing Walk and Bike Safety Programs to elementary schools throughout Monterey County. She grew up in Greenfield and focuses on providing environmental educational resources to increase access to communities towards a more sustainable future. She enjoys spending time with her dog, reading, hiking, and making desserts. Odalys holds a BS in Environmental Science with minors in Spanish and Environmental Systems and Society from UCLA.

  • Piet C.

    Strategic Fund Development Director

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    Piet C.

    Strategic Fund Development Director

    Piet Canin oversees Ecology Action’s sustainable transportation programs, which emphasize healthy, money saving, and environmentally friendly means of travel. Piet has helped implement several innovative programs at Ecology Action, including Bike to Work Day, the Electric Bike, and Folding Bike Incentive programs. Piet has been active in advancing sustainable transportation programs over the past 30 years. He has extensive experience working with a diversity of partners including schools, businesses, public health, safety, and transportation agencies, community groups and individuals.

    Piet has actively advocated for the Coastal Rail Trail since 1998 and leveraged diverse partners to move forward such projects as the Beach Street Bikeway, Arana Gulch and increased funding for the Rail Trail. Piet is a long-time member of the Regional Transportation Commission’s Bike Advisory Committee, FORT Board Member and a Bike Santa Cruz County Lifetime Achievement award recipient.

  • Ryan K.

    Business Development Manager

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    Ryan K.

    Business Development Manager

  • Sanja C.-M

    EV Charging Incentive and Data Administrator

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    Sanja C.-M

    EV Charging Incentive and Data Administrator

  • Sherry B.

    EV Charging Program Director

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    Sherry B.

    EV Charging Program Director

    Sherry is the Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Program Director at Ecology Action. She leads Ecology Action’s EV team to implement equitable EV charging solutions in multi-family housing communities, and increase EV ownership in low and moderate income households through the EVs for Everyone/EVs Para Todos purchase guidance program. Her project management expertise in the built-environment spans the fields of solid waste and recycling, urban and agricultural water management, and low impact development. Her reputation for developing and maintaining innovative programs and cultivating strong stakeholder partnerships that meet community needs is unparalleled. Sherry is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz and holds a BA in Environmental Studies, with an Agroecology emphasis.

  • Tawn K.

    Program Specialist - Community Biking

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    Tawn K.

    Program Specialist - Community Biking

  • Tito V.

    EV Charging Customer Advisor - Project Manager

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    Tito V.

    EV Charging Customer Advisor - Project Manager

  • Uriel M.

    Title: Program Manager I: Active Transportation (Watsonville)

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    Uriel M.

    Title: Program Manager I: Active Transportation (Watsonville)

    Uriel havs 25 years of experience in program management, advocacy, campaign promotions, and developing community partnerships and relations with multi-disciplinary programs. He has experience collaborating with public and private agencies, speaking to community stakeholders, and has led collaboratives to address community needs.

    He has led volunteer recruitment, community outreach, public speaking, community collaboration, fundraising, staff supervision, social media, marking and development, public health campaigns, and event management.

    Uriel enjoys gardening, dancing, music, family, and hanging out with friends and family. He is an avid BBQ-er with live fire (Santa Maria Grill style) and enjoys time outdoors.