Meet some of our inaugural cohort of the Salton Sea Leadership Program, and learn why they're excited to start building a community of coastal leaders!
The mission of the Salton Sea Leadership Program is to foster a safe, inclusive environment where participants can explore their passions, be part of a supportive community dedicated to making a difference, and acquire the skills needed to address the impacts of climate change on the ecology of the Salton Sea region and California desert habitats.
Anna Hoskins comes to the Coachella Valley after spending a year leading conservation field crews in Northern California. She has a B.S. in Psychology, and is passionate about intersecting mental health advocacy with the outdoors. She hopes to take the knowledge from this program and share it with the young professionals in conservation she mentors in her current job.
Melissa Moreno is one of our College of the Desert students, and is majoring in philosophy, anthropology, and business. She is a proud Huichol, born and raised in Palm Springs, and hopes to learn more about the local Indigenous communities.
Vanessa Ramirez was born and raised in the Coachella Valley and is passionate about environmental justice. She has a B.A. in Environmental Science and Policy from UCLA, and a M.S. in Urban Planning with a Concentration in Climate and Sustainability Planning from USC. After learning about the Salton Sea in college, she is excited to learn more about it through the lens of her community and the local Indigenous perspectives.
Laura Aguilera was born and raised in Coachella, and has a deep connection to the valley and its unique environment. She has a B.A. in Psychology from CSUSB and a M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Grand Canyon University. She is excited to grow as a leader and environmental advocate.
Em Steen is originally from Massachusetts where they received a B.S. in Food Science and Technology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. They now call Southern California home after receiving their Masters of Public Administration from USC. Their interest in nature, generational knowledge, and community building stems from their passion for social justice.
Venessa Becerra is a local Coachella Valley artist and educator who grew up in Indio. After completing her B.A. in Anthropology from UCSB, she returned home and has continued to learn about the environment she grew up in. She is a practicing ceramic artist for over 10 years sharing solidarity with community and creating safe spaces for creative practice.
Ciara Taylor is an avid hiker and creative mind hailing from She has a BFA in Designed Objects at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and has over 15 years of expertise designing experiences for people, animals, and the environment. Her passion is behavior change design, ethics in design, and design for conservation.
Max Ochoa, a P’urepecha from the State of Michoacan, Mexico grew up in the Eastern Coachella Valley. He holds a B.S. in Political Science and Ethnic Studies from UCB and a Masters in Public Policy from UCI. His past work involves being a policy advocate for farmworkers and economically disadvantaged communities facing the disproportionate cumulative impact of pollutants and environmental stressors.
Jose Manzo grew up in the Coachella Valley Humboldt State University Alumni who graduated with a B.A. in Native American Studies and a Liberal Studies B.A. in Early Education with an emphasis in Child Development. He is interested in learning more about the value that the Salton Sea brings to the Coachella Valley in order to become more conscious of the issues that surround it and be better equipped for community building.
Joseph Gonzales is a College of the Desert student, planning to transfer to a Cal State school to earn a B.S. in Kinesiology and become a PE Teacher in his community. He is passionate about making a positive impact in his community, and is involved in various initiatives including FIND FOOD Bank to address food insecurity and Gents Alliance, a program dedicated to empowering young Hispanic males to pursue higher education and leadership roles.
Peyton Rohner was inspired by observing wolf preservation practices in Washington, Peyton is now on her path to obtaining an A.S. in Natural Resources at the College of the Desert. Her curiosities span wildlife biology, advocacy, social welfare, and promoting environmental justice. She looks forward to growing, learning, and connecting with like-minded individuals who share enthusiasm for creating positive change.
Amanda Bautista comes to us from Riverside as an early-career wildlife biologist with a B.S. in Wildlife Conservation and Management from Cal State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. She volunteers at the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach where she assists with wildlife rehabilitation. She is passionate about conservation, and dedicated to advancing current knowledge of ecosystems to better and inform and refine conservation strategies.
Alyssa Johnson is from the Eastern Coachella Valley who grew up on the Torres-Martinez Reservation. She is on a path to reconnect to and protect this land as well and her Cahuilla roots. She believes that education is the key to understanding and connecting people of all backgrounds to come together and care for the lands they reside on.
