Environmental science and conservation have always been a driving force for me throughout my professional and personal life. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), where I first developed an interest in how environmental challenges are deeply connected to social dynamics.

Since graduating, I was fortunate to participate in several projects that brought together environmental science and social science. I contributed to the planning of two workshops addressing Puerto Rico’s vulnerability to a wide array of coastal hazards. The underlying goal of these workshops was to gather cross-sector participants who make decisions during emergencies, identify their workflows, and any gaps in the flow of critical information. In Colombia, I had the opportunity to plan and implement sustainable tourism projects with local indigenous communities (Embera). This project fostered a symbiotic relationship between the tourists and the Embera community via the exchange of language and culture. In the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, I conducted scuba diving transects to collect data on juvenile fish populations, and assess coral reef health. These experiences have taught me the value of cultural understanding and the importance of local context when addressing environmental challenges. I intend to continue to utilize my motivation and passion, aiming to solve challenges at the intersection of social and environmental sciences.

With over 15 years of experience in forest management, climate change, and sustainable rural development projects at both national and international levels, I am deeply committed to addressing the conservation and sustainability challenges of local communities, primarily in Mexico's forestry sector. During this time, I have led various activities in the government and private sectors, spanning from technical advice to local communities to participation in negotiations for international conventions, as well as expert support on specialized topics and public policy management at the federal level. My entire professional career has been guided by social and climate justice approaches.

I have collaborated with government institutions in the environmental and agricultural sectors, with civil society organizations, with different agencies of the United Nations system (UNFCCC, UNDP, FAO, UNEP), as well as with funding agencies and/or multilateral and bilateral funds (WB, GCF, USAID, IFAD, GEF). I am Mexican and I hold a bachelor’s degree in forest engineering from the Chapingo Autonomous University of Mexico and a specialization in "Forest, Agriculture, and Environment" from the Higher School of Agriculture of Purpan, Toulouse, France.