Meet the October 2025 Cohort of Community Leaders!
Thriving Earth Exchange is excited to announce the October 2025 launch of community leaders! They will work with Community Science Fellows to launch 12 Community Science projects in the United States, Mexico, Chile and Peru. Stay tuned for more information about the inspiring communities involved and the transformative projects to come!
Baltimore, MD (Baltimore Green Justice Workers Cooperative -BGJWC)
Community Leaders: Lynn Pinder and Krishna Mummadi
Biography:
Lynn Pinder, a native of Baltimore, MD, is co-founder of Baltimore Green Justice Workers Cooperative (BGJWC). Lynn is an author, educator, lifelong learner. social entrepreneur and faith worker. She enjoys working with others to make her community a more beautiful and healthier place to live, work, pray, learn and play.
Krishna Mummadi is a GIS Fellow with the Baltimore Green Justice Workers Cooperative and a master’s student in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He is passionate about using geospatial technology to address environmental challenges. His work focuses on creating interactive StoryMaps, thematic maps, and geoprocessing analyses to visualize climate and community data in meaningful ways. Krishna applies mapping and analysis to advance environmental justice and support community-driven solutions.
Port Townsend, WA
Community Leaders: Derek Firenze and Jaime Duyck
Biography:
Derek Firenze is a journalist, performer, and community activist committed to health and equity. With 25 years of experience in front of crowds and a breadth of nonprofit experience, Derek is focused on building community resilience in the face of the overwhelming changes in these times. As a white man, Derek prefers to partner with women and the BIPoC community on projects and highlights diverse voices whenever possible.
Jaime Duyck is a climate activist who has spent over 10 years helping individuals and businesses transition to electric vehicles through education and effective strategies that result in lowering carbon emissions in the transportation sector. Jaime serves the communities of Climate Action Committee and is proud to serve the community further by co-leading on this project with the support of Thriving Earth.
Boynton Beach, FL
Community Leaders: Alannah Irwin and Ricky Petty
Biography:
Alannah Irwin is a dedicated sustainability and climate resilience professional with over a decade of experience in environmental management, specializing in air quality, climate adaptation, and waste minimization. She has a background in public administration, working specifically in regulatory compliance, environmental policy, and atmospheric science, and is committed to advancing public health and environmental conservation. Alannah has a strong track record in managing complex environmental projects, building strategic partnerships, and leading community engagement initiatives to promote sustainability and climate resilience. She holds a Master of Science in Geosciences with a concentration in Applied Meteorology, a Bachelor of Science in Geosciences with a focus on Atmospheric Sciences, and a Graduate Certificate in Natural Resource Policy and Administration.
Ricky L. Petty, Sr. is a community leader, entrepreneur, and philanthropist with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit and social services. He serves as Project Director of the Palm Health Foundation’s Healthier Boynton Beach initiative under Pathways to Prosperity. He is the owner of several businesses, including Petty Capital Realty and Petty Investments Inc. Passionate about mentoring and service, Ricky is committed to empowering caregivers, youth, and families while building stronger, healthier communities.
Libby, MT (Thompson Chain of Lakes Stewardship Coalition)
Community Leaders: Karen Wickersham and Jennifer Nelson
Biography:
Karen Wickersham is the Chair of the Thompson Chain of Lakes Stewardship Coalition. She is retired from a career with the US Forest Service that took her from Montana to Alaska to Washington DC. She loves bringing people together to get good things accomplished.
Jennifer Nelson is a Montana native and has worked in Natural Resource Management across the western United States most of her career. She has traveled to several states and countries, which has allowed her to visit different ecosystems and see different land and water uses by humans, both ancient and modern, which fascinates and concerns her in equal measure. Travel and water are two of her favorite things, so she tries to combine them whenever she can.
Dumas (Desha County), AR
Community Leaders: Dr. Dorotha Love Hall and Thomas Hall
Dr. Dorotha Love Hall is a proud native of Dumas in Desha County, Arkansas, and founding Executive Director of Destination Transformation (DT). DT focuses on health, climate/environment, education and youth and workforce development. After 34 years of distinguished federal service, twenty-four with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where she served as a Senior Program Manager, Dr. Love Hall returned to her roots to revive her nonprofit. She has expertise in community engagement, grants management, and staff development, and international lead experience through tours in Angola, Haiti, and Kenya. She is committed to working with environmental partners to transform lives and make an impact in the lives of southeast Arkansas residents.
Thomas Hall brings over five decades of experience in residential and commercial construction, facilities management and public service. As a licensed general contractor in Florida, Georgia, and Arkansas, he has built and renovated hundreds of properties earning a reputation as an expert with precision, and strong problem-solving and mentorship skills. Currently serving on the Board of Destination Transformation, Mr. Hall supports innovative energy and environmental initiatives as well as education and youth initiatives. His hands on leadership and depth of technical knowledge strengthens DT’s mission to create resilient, inclusive communities through education, service and sustainable infrastructures.
Orange, VT
Community Leaders: Emily Ruff and Rod Coronado
Emily Ruff is the Executive Director of Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary in Orange, Vermont, a 600-acre center for ecological stewardship and community wellness. She leads the youth and adult ecological education programs and multiple conservation initiatives, including pollinator habitat restoration, beaver coexistence, and watershed protection. With more than 20 years of experience as an educator, municipal leader, and community organizer, Emily has advanced projects at the intersection of youth development, personal wellness, environmental justice, and climate resilience. She frequently partners with stakeholders such as youth, local and state agencies, conservation groups, and Indigenous leaders to align scientific, cultural, and community knowledge in service of land and people.
Rod Coronado is an indigenous environmentalist and wildlife advocate working for the restoration of extirpated species. From 2013-2021, Rod led a citizen monitoring effort in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest investigating bear baiting practices that contributed to human/wolf conflicts in Wisconsin. He lives in Central Vermont where he is the Wildlife Programs Director for Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary and the state Director of Vermont Wildlife Patrol.
Martinez, CA (Friends of Alhambra Creek & Alhambra Watershed Council)
Community Leaders: Suzy Hall-Whitney and Evan Green
Suzy Hall-Whitney is a California transplant from Kentucky. She fly fishes with her husband and treasures the beauty and healing force of nature. Since retired, Suzy has been involved with the Alhambra Watershed Council and the Friends of Alhambra Creek. Both are well established and respected organizations that work collaboratively with many other local non-profit groups to improve and support the local watershed and creeks.
Evan Green has professional experience with California native plant horticulture, environmental education for elementary schools, and ecological restoration. Currently, he serves as a Watershed Conservation Coordinator at the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District (CCRCD), where he aids community watershed stewardship groups in their planning initiatives, project coordination, and public outreach. He is particularly enthusiastic about his role in coordinating a CCRCD project in collaboration with the homeless services organization Safe Organized Spaces (SOS) Richmond, which integrates workforce development focused on habitat restoration with ecological literacy training for individuals with lived experience of homelessness.
Parkland, WA (Clover Creek Restoration Alliance)
Community Leaders: Sean Arent and Diedre Conant
Sean Arent is a community organizer and current president of the Clover Creek Restoration Alliance. He lives in Tacoma, Washington, and works as the Nuclear Weapons Abolition Program Manager for the Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility. He is passionate about ecological restoration and changing the fate of the Clover-Chambers watershed.
Diedre Conant is currently the Vice-president of the Clover Creek Restoration Alliance and is a lifelong resident of Tacoma, Washington. Diedre grew up with a healthy flowing Clover Creek in her backyard. Upon moving back to the area along this stream, as an adult, the creek now dries for eight out of twelve months and the green spaces that provided habitat for many creatures, is being developed. She is a mom and a small business owner, along with her husband. They both strive to help restore riparian habitat along the stream and desire to partner with community members concerned about conservation and protection of vital ground water that all species that require.
Loma Alta, Coatepec, Mexico
Community Leaders: María Alejandra Guiot Maldonado, Ariez Ana Guiot Maldonado and Rogelio Macías Ordóñez
María Alejandra Guiot Maldonado is a woman from Coatepec. She has a love for the forests and was born in Loma Alta, where her father taught her, along with her siblings, from a young age to listen to and respect the mountain. She believes that everyone has the right to understand science—and even better, to build it hand in hand with communities. That is what María Alejandra strives to contribute, and with this great opportunity, it could be possible.
María Alejandra Guiot Maldonado es una mujer coatepecana. Tiene un amor por los bosques y nació en Loma Alta, donde su papá le enseñó desde niña, junta con sus hermanos, a escuchar y respetar la montaña. Ella cree que todo el mundo tiene derecho a entender la ciencia, y mejor aún, a construirla de la mano de las comunidades. Eso es lo que María Alejandra intenta aportar y con esta gran oportunidad puede ser posible.
Aries Ana Guiot Maldonado is a Chemical Engineer with a Master’s degree in Environmental and Ecological Economics. She is the elected alternate for Council Position I in Coatepec, Veracruz, and serves as Secretary of the Environment for Relevo Generacional de Veracruz.
Aries Ana Guiot Maldonado es una Ing. Química con estudios de Maestría en Economía Ambiental y Ecológica. Es la suplente electa de la Regiduría I en Coatepec, Veracruz y secretaria de Medio Ambiente de Relevo Generacional de Veracruz.
Rogelio Macías Ordóñez decided to be a biologist when he was about 10 and since then, has always enjoyed being outside. As a full time research scientist for the last 3 decades, most of his work is still done outside. For nearly the same period of time, Rogelio has been part of a rural community surrounded by a fairly well preserved, but nevertheless highly threatened area of “cloud forest”, a rare but wonderful and highly diverse ecosystem; highly valued by most of the the community in Loma Alta.
Rogelio Macías Ordóñez decidió ser biólogo cuando tenía unos 10 años, y desde entonces, siempre ha disfrutado estar al aire libre. Como científico investigador de tiempo completo durante las últimas tres décadas, la mayor parte de su trabajo sigue realizándose en el campo. Durante casi el mismo tiempo, Rogelio ha formado parte de una comunidad rural rodeada por una zona de bosque de niebla bastante bien conservada, aunque muy amenazada; un ecosistema único, maravilloso y sumamente diverso, muy valorado por la mayoría de la comunidad en Loma Alta.
Curacaví, Chile (Coordinadora Cuenca del Puangue)
Community Leaders: Francisco Astudillo and Marite Vásquez Nuñez
Francisco Astudillo has lived his entire life in Curacaví, in the Puangue River basin, a territory that has taught him the value of biodiversity and nature. He holds a degree in Linguistics and Literature and is currently studying Social Sciences at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, where he seeks to complement his academic training with community-based work. Francisco is part of the Puangue Basin Coordinating Committee, from which he hopes to promote citizen technoscience initiatives focused on community monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and environmental education. He is motivated by the desire to help reconnect people with nature and to promote collective initiatives that ensure the care and preservation of the territory for present and future generations.
Francisco Astudillo ha vivido toda su vida en Curacaví, en la cuenca del río Puangue, un territorio que le ha enseñado el valor de la biodiversidad y la naturaleza. Es licenciado en Lingüística y Literatura y actualmente estudia Ciencias Sociales en la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, donde busca complementar su formación académica con el trabajo territorial. Francisco forma parte de la Coordinadora Cuenca del Puangue, desde la cual espera impulsar iniciativas de tecnociencia ciudadana orientadas al monitoreo ciudadano, la conservación de la biodiversidad y la educación ambiental. Le motiva contribuir a la reconexión de las personas con la naturaleza y promover iniciativas colectivas que aseguren el cuidado y la preservación del territorio para las generaciones presentes y futuras.
Marite Vásquez Nuñez is an actress and cultural agent from Curacaví, deeply rooted in the valley she inherited from her grandparents and great-grandparents, who were also born in Curacaví. Her life has been closely tied to the Puangue River, which she recognizes as a beloved being that gives identity, memory, and life to the community. Today, her artistic, community, and environmental work continues to be inspired by the presence and vital importance of the Puangue River to the territory. Marite is a founding member, president, and spokesperson of the Coordinadora Cuenca del Puangue, as well as the director of Aguas del Puangue Teatro – Punto de Cultura Comunitaria de Curacaví. Over the years, she has actively participated in various social organizations, allowing her to maintain a close connection with the community and to promote cultural and environmental initiatives. From theater and the arts to environmental activism, all of her work is born from this territory and for this territory. Her commitment lies in the defense of the river and nature, understanding that protecting them means safeguarding life, biodiversity, and the future of the community.
Marite Vásquez Nuñez es actriz y agente cultural de Curacaví, con un arraigo profundo en el valle heredado de sus abuelos y bisabuelos que también nacieron en Curacaví. Su vida ha estado estrechamente vinculada al río Puangue, que reconoce como un ser querido que da identidad, memoria y vida a la comunidad. Hoy su trabajo artístico, comunitario y ambiental sigue inspirado en la presencia y en la importancia vital del río Puangue que tiene para el territorio. Marita es miembra fundadora, presidenta y vocera de la Coordinadora Cuenca del Puangue, además de directora de Aguas del Puangue Teatro – Punto de Cultura Comunitaria de Curacaví. A lo largo de los años, ha participado activamente en diversas organizaciones sociales, lo que le ha permitido mantener un vínculo cercano con la comunidad, impulsando iniciativas culturales y medioambientales. Desde el teatro y las artes hasta el activismo ambiental, todo su quehacer nace desde este territorio y para este territorio. Su compromiso es la defensa del río y de la naturaleza, entendiendo que protegerlos es resguardar la vida, la biodiversidad y el futuro de nuestra comunidad.
Chicoloapan, México (San Vicente Chicoloapan)
Community Leaders: Yhessenia Morales López and Karla Jovana Jiménez Troya
Yhessenia Morales López was born in Mexico City and spent her childhood in Zacatecas. She has lived in Chicoloapan, State of Mexico, for 22 years. She studied Biology at UNAM and is currently part of the collective Mujeres Tierra, with whom she has worked on urban garden workshops and public space restoration projects. Their goal is to strengthen community organization and promote the creation of sustainable gardens within their territory.
Yhessenia Morales López nací en la ciudad de México y viví su infancia en Zacatecas. Hay vivido en Chicoloapan, Edo. Méx por 22 años. Estudié Biología en la UNAM, actualmente formo parte de la colectiva mujeres tierra y hemos trabajado en talleres de huertos urbanos así como proyectos de recuperación de espacios públicos. Nuestro objetivo es fortalecer la organización comunitaria y promover la creación de jardines sostenibles en nuestro territorio.
Karla Jovana Jiménez Troya is from Chicoloapan and is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in History at UNAM. She is currently a member of the collective Mujeres Tierra. Their goal is to bring attention to the periphery of the State of Mexico and defend the territory through community organization.
Karla Jovana Jiménez Troya es de Chicoloapan y estudia la licenciatura en Historia en la UNAM. Actualmente forma parte de la colectiva mujeres tierra. El objetivo es colocar al centro la periferia del Estado de México y defender el territorio mediante la organización comunitaria.
Lima, Peru (Juntas Vecinales del distrito de San Martin de Porres)
Community Leaders: Renzo Gabriel Valle Estemadoyro and Elizabeth Corzo Jara
Renzo Gabriel Valle Estemadoyro is an engineer and a former board member of the CDPJ of Lima Cercado. He represents youth in the Technical Working Group on Biodiversity within the Metropolitan Environmental Committee of Metropolitan Lima. He has over four years of professional experience in the public sector, with a focus on local governments, particularly in strategic planning, modernization, agreements, and technical assistance for the Participatory Local Development Plan. He is responsible for the project “Malecón Rímac Florece” as part of the “Hazla por tu barrio” initiative. Renzo serves as the legal representative of the civil organization “Accionando por el Clima” and also represents the organization in the Youth Participation Network of San Martín de Porres. He was also a delegate of the Local Advocacy Team of the collective “Jóvenes Peruanos frente al Cambio Climático.”
Renzo Gabriel Valle Estemadoyro es ingeniero y fue miembro de la mesa directiva del CDPJ de Lima Cercado. Es un representante de las juventudes en el grupo técnico de trabajo de Biodiversidad en el Comité Ambiental Metropolitano de Lima Metropolitana. Tiene más de 4 años de experiencia laboral en el sector público con énfasis en gobiernos locales en temas planeamiento estratégico, modernización, convenios y asistencia técnica en el Plan de Desarrollo Local Concertado. Es responsable del proyecto”Malecón Rímac florece” como parte del reto “Hazla por tu barrio. Renzo es un representante Legal de la organización civil “Accionando por el Clima” y también un representante de Accionando por el Clima ante la Red de Participación Juvenil de San Martin de Porres. Renzo fue delegado del Equipo de Incidencia Local del colectivo “Jóvenes Peruanos frente al Cambio Climático”.
