Richard is the Lead Organizer of a grassroots community group named Broward Clean Air. He is involved in environmental stewardship and educating various community stakeholders including elected officials about incinerators, landfills, and zero waste alternatives and measures such as zero waste education, municipal programs, policies, initiatives, composting and infrastructure to help build a sustainable circular … Read more
Youpa is a visual artist and concerned citizen who dedicates her art and advocacy work to the service of the care of the Earth. She focuses on raising awareness and finding solutions for plastic pollution by giving talks, writing, creating art, and working on policy at the local and state level to help counter the … Read more
Claudia Rodriguez-Biezunski is a San Diego-based textile artist, renowned forher establishment, Sew Loka, located in Barrio Logan. Sew Loka is a slowfashion sewing studio that uses recycled, repurposed and reclaimed fabrics tocreate one of one clothing and accessories, all inspired by Claudia’s Mexican-American heritage. Organization:Sew LokaTitle:Textile ArtistWebhttps://sewloka.com
As Upstream’s Local Reuse Manager, Macy supports advocates across the US and Canada in their efforts to advance communities toward circular, reuse systems and away from single use, disposables. Macy works on local reuse policy, co-leads the Upstream networks, and is involved in implementation project management. Macy has 10 years of sustainability experience in the … Read more
Carla Daniela is the owner of Tailor Love the award-winning tailor in San Diego County. Carla was born and raised in Azores, Portugal, she earned her degree in fashion and textile design from the Instituto Politecnico de Castelo Branco in Portugal. Carla embraces sustainability, promotes and encourages a more conscientious consumer culture with her brides. … Read more
Ainara Calahorra is the founder and maker of MuXu Creations, a Slow Fashion brand based in San Diego. With a focus on sustainability, MuXu transforms preexisting materials into one-of-a-kind garments that blend the art of sewing and painting. Each piece reflects a commitment to celebrating uniqueness, creativity, and environmental responsibility. Organization:MuXu CreationsTitle:Founder and MakerWebhttps://www.muxucreations.com/
Samuel McMullen is the Executive Director and co-founder of ZeroWaste.Org, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people, businesses, and cities take concrete steps towards zero waste. Based in New York City, Samuel has been living a zero waste lifestyle for over eight years, a commitment that has shaped both his personal and professional life. In 2017, … Read more
Adi Varshneya is an organizer working as the US & Canada Network Development Manager for the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), where she provides movement support to groups fighting incinerators and building a just transition to zero waste. Before joining GAIA to lead its regional zero waste communities program and develop a Zero Waste … Read more
In Argentina, I held leadership and technical advisory roles in the strategic communication area for various private sector companies and political actors. In Brazil, I advised the NGO network “Grito das Aguas” in producing Social Water Forums. In the Dominican Republic, I founded the non-profit civil association Héroes del Medio Ambiente, a member of the … Read more
A native of Cincinnati, Nathan spent more than a decade practicing environmental law in California and working with organizations like the Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental Defense Fund, and WildEarth Guardians before returning home in order to protect his family’s farm from development. Since 2014, he has worked with Sierra Club Ohio to promote sustainable … Read more