 Karina Moreno (she/they, Co-Chair) I am an Indigenous Chicana born and raised in Watsonville, CA and I am here because both of my grandmothers came to work in the canneries. Growing up I learned first hand the disparities that small rural communities like Watsonville commonly face from the effects of climate change and criminalization, and these experiences shaped my passions for environmental justice and racial equity. I am a Program and Leadership Coordinator at MILPA Collective, where I am advancing intersectional environmentalism, creating opportunities for youth to learn how to get civically engaged, while promoting MILPA's philosophies centered in cultural healing. I also serve on the Santa Cruz County Women's Commission and as a Board of Director for the Watsonville Wetlands Watch.
Karina also enjoys hiking, painting, and road tripping with friends.
Term Start: 2024 |  My name is Yesenia Jimenez, (she/they, Co-Chair) I grew up in Watsonville. I am interested in environmental justice, indigenous ecological knowledge, upcycling clothing, interior design, nature shows/ documentaries, public transportation and city planning. I enjoy gardening, going to the gym, making art, sewing, Halloween, watching reality tv and trying to pet every cat that will let me. I work for Watsonville Wetlands Watch as an education and restoration specialist and I am one of the leads for the urban forestry program. I serve as a Planning Commissioner for the County of Santa Cruz and I run the Joyce McKenzie Community Garden. Term Start: 2024 |
 My name is Christine Catanzaro (Committee Member) and I am a third generation Californian and retired to Watsonville in 2019. Prior to my retirement I taught in an independent elementary school in San Mateo. I am a member of the Watsonville Senior Action Committee, Osher LifeLong Learning Institute and an active member of Second Harvest. I love everything about being outdoors; I am a hiker, walker and year round gardener. I also love traveling, films and reading.
Term Start: 2025  My name is Alma Leonor-Sanchez (she/they, Committee Member). I was born and raised in Watsonville, CA, and have family roots in Jalisco, Mexico. I am a current student at UC Santa Cruz majoring in Environmental Studies. I am passionate about food justice, environmental justice, social justice, and their intersections. I am also passionate about getting youth involved in leadership and activism in their communities, specifically in Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley. My interests include reading, writing, camping, and thrifting second-hand clothing. Term Start: 2025 |
 Maria Perez (Committee Member) was born in Guanajuato, Mexico. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Resource Studies from the University of California Berkeley. Maria is the Community Outreach Manager at Regeneración-Pajaro Valley Climate Action. She was a founding member of the non-profit when she was in high school. Currently Maria leads staff and volunteers in bilingual community outreach to encourage community-led and equitable climate solutions in the Pajaro Valley, which encompasses the areas of Watsonville, Freedom and Pajaro. Maria has supported both the development and implementation of surveys related to community challenges and opinions about transportation.
She serves in the Santa Cruz County Commission for the Environment, the Transportation Equity Work Group with the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, and other committees focused on community voice, equity, and climate. Maria enjoys spending time with her loved ones, cooking, and learning about nature. Term Start: 2025 |
 Toto Vu-Duc (she/her, Staff Liason) works for the City of Watsonville as an Environmental Projects Manager delivering our Climate Action & Adaptation Plan. Born and raised in the Ramaytush lands of the San Francisco Bay Area to parents of Vietnamese and Western European Jewish ancestry, Toto moved to the Monterey Bay Area in 2022 to join the City of Watsonville’s climate effort. With 10 years’ experience implementing climate action plans for local governments in California and Aotearoa/New Zealand, she has built a career focused on climate justice and community engagement for sustainable outcomes. In her spare time, Toto enjoys cooking, unsuccessful surfing, and exploring the Central Coast’s tidepools with her dog, Ted Lasso. |  My name is Leonardo Cruz (he/him/ki, Staff Liason), I grew up in Mexico moving between small rural towns and cities like Guadalajara and Mexico City. I've been in the Watsonville region for 19 years and I am interested in Biomimicry, Natural History and industrial ecology. I enjoy upcycling, adventuring with my dog Chicharron, raising chickens and rock climbing. I work for the City of Watsonville in Climate Action related initiatives, I serve as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner for the City of Santa Cruz. |