Experience

Minnesota Environmental Partnership

• United States
• Renewables & Environment
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Advocacy and Inclusion

  • Mar 2022 - Present

  Lead the Minnesota Environmental Partnership’s inclusion and advocacy work, a coalition of over 70 environmental and conservation organizations. Advocate for policies that protect Minnesota’s people, environment and natural resources. Advance environmental justice by building strategic relationships with new and diverse partners, identifying common ground and advocating for joint environmental justice priorities. Guide MEP’s efforts to become a more inclusive and effective coalition. Lead the Minnesota Environmental Partnership’s inclusion and advocacy work, a coalition of over 70 environmental and conservation organizations. Advocate for policies that protect Minnesota’s people, environment and natural resources. Advance environmental justice by building strategic relationships with new and diverse partners, identifying common ground and advocating for joint environmental justice priorities. Guide MEP’s efforts to become a more inclusive and effective coalition.



Jesuit Conference

• United States
• Religious Institutions
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Advisor on Environmental Justice

  • Apr 2016 - Nov 2021

  In my role as Senior Advisor on Environmental Justice at the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, I developed and led the environmental justice education and advocacy efforts of the Jesuit Conference. This entailed collaborating with provinces, Jesuit institutions (universities, social centers) and Jesuit-affiliated works abroad as well as with the global Church and members of civil society. In my role as Senior Advisor on Environmental Justice at the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, I developed and led the environmental justice education and advocacy efforts of the Jesuit Conference. This entailed collaborating with provinces, Jesuit institutions (universities, social centers) and Jesuit-affiliated works abroad as well as with the global Church and members of civil society.



United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

• United States
• Religious Institutions
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Environmental Justice Program Coordinator

  • Oct 2007 - Mar 2016

  ● Developed, managed and implemented strategic priorities of the USCCB environmental justice program and policy work, acting as advisor on key environmental issues, including energy, natural resources, climate change, and children’s health● Partnered with civil society, humanitarian organizations and federal agencies to advocate for common priorities and policies related to environmental health, natural resources and climate change to protect poor and vulnerable communities● Represented USCCB on domestic and international environmental policy issues in key coalitions, with Congress and Executive Branch, with foreign governments, in public settings and forums, with media, and as spokesperson for campaignsKey Accomplishments● Aided Catholic Relief Services in linking its programs supporting sustainable agriculture, water conservation and food security to climate change, and advocated for international adaptation funding to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities● Helped the Catholic Campaign for Human Development identify the breadth and depth of CCHD-funded work related to environmental justice, including over $5 million in community organizations supporting clean air and water, sustainable agricultural practices and access to healthy foods, and opportunities for community participation in the green economy● Partnered with Peruvian Church and community leaders, Catholic Relief Services and Oxfam America to hold Congressional hearing examining the environmental health impacts of Doe Run Peru’s metallurgical smelter operations in La Oroya, Peru● Testified at public hearing in Washington DC before the Environmental Protection Agency on the importance of national carbon pollution standards



Conciliacion Comunitaria de Minnesota

• Co-founder

  • Sep 2006 - Nov 2007

  • Offered mediation and additional alternative dispute resolution services to the Latino community in Minnesota.• Partnered with various public, private and non-profit entities in order to effectively extend our services. • Offered mediation and additional alternative dispute resolution services to the Latino community in Minnesota.• Partnered with various public, private and non-profit entities in order to effectively extend our services.



Minnesota Language Connection

• Interpreter

  • Jan 2007 - Oct 2007

  • Provided Spanish medical interpretive services for members of the Latino community in Minnesota. • Provided Spanish medical interpretive services for members of the Latino community in Minnesota.



Minneapolis Mediation Program

• Case Management Assistant

  • Sep 2006 - Dec 2006

  • Mediated cases in English and Spanish through the Hennepin County court system.• Managed case files, maintained confidential client records, and served as primary liaison with the courts. • Mediated cases in English and Spanish through the Hennepin County court system.• Managed case files, maintained confidential client records, and served as primary liaison with the courts.



Superintendencia Forestal (Bolivia)

• Consultant

  • Jun 2004 - Aug 2004

  • Examined the problems facing the multiethnic Indigenous Territory and National Park Isiboro Sécure (TIPNIS) and the obstacles under the current forestry regime that prevent indigenous community members from managing their forest resources.• Identified and interviewed stakeholders that played a central role in the development of the terrotorty: including individuals from state agencies, non-governmental organizations and indigenous organizations.• Examined the role of indigenous identity and determined it was a key factor in defining the relations among theindigenous communities of TIPNIS and their inability to act collectively to achieve their common goals and rights.• Proposed policy recommendations for indigenous community leaders, relevant state agencies of Bolivia, and key NGOs to encourage the sustainable management of forest resources.



Target

• United States
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Environmental Specialist

  • Jun 2001 - Jul 2003

  • Managed cross company environmental programs and partnered with senior Target executives and external vendors to ensure that Target Corporation met and exceeded environmental standards.• Developed and directed the production of an internal bi-lingual training video for corporate-wide distribution.

• Environmental Technician

  • Jun 2000 - Jul 2001

  • Researched environmental regulations, evaluated environmental reports, and aided in the distribution and management of the Asbestos Awareness Program.



Federação de Órgãos para Assistência Social e Educacional (Brazil)

• Consultant

  • May 1999 - Jan 2000

  Conducted research at Brazilian organization on topics including international trade, deforestation, and energy to aid investigators in studies supporting sustainable development. Conducted research at Brazilian organization on topics including international trade, deforestation, and energy to aid investigators in studies supporting sustainable development.



Harvard Institute for International Development

• Research Assistant to Program Manager for International Environment Program

  • May 1997 - Aug 1997

  Conducted research for studies aimed at improving environmental and resource management in Central America. Conducted research for studies aimed at improving environmental and resource management in Central America.