Meet The Commissioners

ELIANA IBARRA

Pronouns: she/her/hers 

Bio: Eliana Ibarra is a passionate advocate for sustainability and community engagement, believing that collective action through volunteering and active involvement can drive meaningful change in the fight against climate change and foster a future where both people and the environment thrive together. She envisions a more sustainable world for future generations and is dedicated to guiding communities toward this goal. Eliana serves as the Associated Student Body Advisor for Sustainability at Rio Hondo College, where she helps student leaders develop eco-friendly initiatives on campus.

As Acting Program Manager for California for All College Corps, Eliana oversees 50 students working with community-based organizations focused on K-12 education, food insecurity, and climate action. She empowers students to create positive change in their communities through collective action, promoting a sustainable and equitable future.

Eliana also volunteers at local community events, strengthening connections and community resilience. She holds an Associate in Arts in Social Work from Rio Hondo College, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UC Irvine, and a Master of Science in Educational Counseling from the University of La Verne. Eliana is committed to creating a future where both people and the environment thrive together.

RENE JIMENEZ

PRONOUNS: he/him/his

Bio: Rene Jimenez is a Marine Corps veteran who served five years as an MV-22 Osprey Crew Chief before being honorably discharged. He brings extensive experience in environmental restoration, project management, program development, and community engagement. Driven by a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, Rene is dedicated to protecting natural resources and mentoring youth and young adults to become the next generation of environmental leaders.

MATTHEW CARRANZA

PRONOUNS: he/him/his

Bio: Matthew Carranza brings a strong commitment to environmental justice and youth-centered climate policy. He is passionate about advocating for increased green spaces and safe, accessible places for children to play and grow in clean, healthy, and green environments, particularly those who have faced underinvestment.

Born and raised in the first supervisorial district, Matthew is a proud Mexican-American and served as a commissioner for the city of West Covina, where he championed youth civic engagement and involvement. He was one of the youngest individuals to serve on a commission for the city. He aims to ensure that climate action addresses environmental challenges, while advancing civil rights, community well-being, and public participation.

ALYSSA JAIPERSAUD

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Bio: Alyssa Jaipersaud is a first-generation American pursuing her undergraduate degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering with a concentration in information systems and a minor in Law and Public Policy at the University of Southern California (USC). At USC she is a Grand Challenges Scholar focusing on sustainability. She is passionate about sustainability, specifically on the topics of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Her interest in environmentalism began in high school when she worked with a local environmental department that was working on getting her town Sustainably Certified. 

Alyssa's efforts continued in college when she was selected to become a member of USC's Student Sustainability Committee headed by the Presidential Working Group on Sustainability. She is currently working with the Sustainability Hub task force to create programming for USC’s first campus sustainability hub. Alyssa is also working with a startup company called GreenHome. With a team of 8 undergraduate USC students, they are encouraging residential utility control and automation in the name of the global quest to reduce consumption and promote living sustainably. 

She recently culminated a California 100 Futures Fellowship, where she aided in developing a manifesto for the future of California, focusing on environmental justice and conservation. Alyssa was given the opportunity to lead the fellowship Summit in Sacramento, where assembly speakers heard  their calls to action and vision for a better future. Her career goals entail utilizing her engineering background in the environmental field to take action against climate change. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys practicing archery, watching movies, spending time with friends, and visiting amusement parks.

EMMANUEL ALCANTAR

Pronouns: he/him/his

Bio: Emmanuel is an advocate whose work is aimed at increasing awareness of what local elected officials can be doing to create a more livable and sustainable city. Growing up in South Los Angeles, he knows firsthand the need for housing, climate justice, and economic investment to address issues of equity. Emmanuel currently works as a Media and Communications Coordinator for Climate Cabinet, a national climate organization that supports downballot candidates running for office. He has previously worked as a Policy Director for several municipal campaigns. Additionally, Emmanuel currently serves as the Education Representative for Voices Neighborhood Council. He received his undergraduate degree from University of California, Santa Barbara.

KEVIN J. PATEL

Pronouns: he/him/his

Bio: Kevin J. Patel is a climate justice activist and social entrepreneur based in Los Angeles, California, with over a decade of experience advocating for a sustainable and equitable world. He envisions a future where young people can access the resources they need to implement climate solutions and combat environmental injustice. Kevin is recognized for his pioneering work in establishing and helping pass the motion to establish the Los Angeles County Youth Climate Commission with fellow activist Delaney Michaelson in 2019. As the architect of this initiative, Kevin has enabled youth voices to be heard more effectively in addressing the climate crisis. In addition, he is the founder of OneUpAction International, a non-profit organization that supports and empowers young people to implement and accelerate climate solutions in their communities. Kevin's commitment to sustainability has earned him numerous accolades and ambassadorships. He serves as a UN Togetherband Ambassador and was named a 2020 National Geographic Young Explorer. He is also a member of several influential organizations, including: the Environmental Media Association (EMA) Activist Board; the World Economic Forum's 1t.org US Stakeholder Council; the Ingka Young Leaders Forum; Youthtopia World: Circle of Youth; the Climate Power Council' and the Intersectional Environmentalist Council. Kevin's exceptional achievements have been widely recognized and he has been awarded the Men's Health 20 Under 20 in 2020 and the 2021 NowThis News Sustainability Honoree. Kevin is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Political Science at Loyola Marymount University, he remains committed to his mission of creating a sustainable and equitable world for all.

SIM BILAL

Pronouns: he/him/his

Bio: Sim Bilal is a youth organizer and climate activist from South LA. He was raised by a single mom and is Korean, Black, and Chickasaw. Sim roots his work through his identity. Currently, he works with Youth Climate Strike Los Angeles (YCSLA) as the head of logistics. Sim has been a climate activist for over 5 years and is a community organizer, working on banning oil drilling in his neighborhood, advocating for green spaces, and climate literacy. He is active in his community fighting for the enrichment of other local South LA youth, through supporting elementary, middle, and high schools through mutual aid programs and volunteering as a robotics and coding instructor for the past three years. Sim has been working on integrating tech, activism, organizing, and legislation into addressing the climate crisis in Los Angeles. As a youth climate organizer he has organized climate strikes in southern California mobilizing thousands of LA youth to call on divestment from fossil fuels and investment into green jobs, infrastructure, and spaces. Through the coalition, his organization YCSLA has helped pass legislation banning and phasing out oil infrastructure in the City of Los Angeles within the next five years, they pushed for SB-1173 divestment of pensions, and created a unique climate action plan for Los Angeles.

NANCI TORRES-POBLANO

Pronouns: she/her/hers/ella

Bio: Nanci is currently serving as the Sustainability Specialist at the Office of Sustainability at CSU Long Beach. Before joining the Office of Sustainability, Nanci worked in the non-profit sector for five years conducting environmental education. She spent two years working as an environmental science educator in Yosemite National Park where she would lead students, from 5th-12th grade, in hikes to learn about the park. During her time there, she had the opportunity to work on the Zero Landfill Initiative project, exposing her to the idea of sustainability. Nanci went on to join TreePeople, a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles County, as the Waste Management Youth Leadership Coordinator. Through this role, she supported middle and high schools throughout the county to adopt waste management systems, integrate community gardens, and raise awareness about sustainability issues. 

Nanci received her B.S. in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning from UC Davis and recently obtained her M.S. in Sustainability Management and Policy from CSU Long Beach.

MAX RILEY

Pronouns: he/him/his

Bio: Max Riley is an urban sustainability advocate focused on building more equitable, climate-resilient cities through transportation, housing, and environmental policy. He serves as Chair of the LA County Youth Climate Commission (YCC), where he has helped deliver major youth-led policy wins, including the YCC’s work to advance the Sepulveda Transit Corridor, through a formal policy recommendation and the creation of an Ad Hoc committee to drive coordinated research, stakeholder engagement, and implementation-oriented advocacy.

Max works in State Senator Ben Allen’s District Office, supporting constituent services and district initiatives at the intersection of climate, infrastructure, and community development. He also contributes to local civic organizing, including work with the LA Stonewall Democratic Club.

Previously, Max led campaigns in partnership with groups like LA Forward and continues to support transportation and green-infrastructure advocacy, especially shade and schoolyard greening efforts in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute, and community engagement through LA Climate Week. He has also worked with aquaculture and blue economy organizations including The Cultured Abalone Farm and AltaSea.

JUSTIN WILKEN

Pronouns: he/him/his

Bio: Justin Wilken is a policy and sustainability advocate dedicated to accelerating the transition to climate-friendly and animal-free food systems. He serves as a Commissioner on the LA County Youth Climate Commission, where he works to advance policies at the intersection of food, climate, and community health, with a focus on fostering innovation in sustainable agriculture and alternative proteins.



Justin leads partnerships and programme development at Animal Advocacy Careers, where he builds coalitions, strengthens talent infrastructure, and provides strategic insights to expand the capacity of organizations tackling animal welfare and climate challenges. He previously supported corporate engagement and ecosystem mapping at the Good Food Institute, helping identify infrastructure and policy opportunities to scale alternative protein industries.



As founder of the San Diego Alt Protein Project and Summit, Justin convened cross-sector leaders from academia, government, and industry to position Southern California as a hub for sustainable food innovation, securing grants and influencing institutional investment in novel food research. His experience also includes advancing sustainable food adoption through consumer engagement with various climate-friendly food brands.



Justin earned his B.S. in Business Administration and Finance from San Diego State University, where he was active in leadership and policy fellowships. He is committed to civic service and envisions a just food system that aligns environmental resilience, public health, and higher welfare standards for our communities.

SARAHJEET DOSANJH

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Bio: Sarahjeet Dosanjh is a passionate sustainable food systems advocate, eager to build healthy, local, nutritious, and ethical food systems within the field of public health. Originally from San Jose, she is now studying Public Health at UCLA and has seen first-hand how local sustainability efforts directly affect her communities' health and the well-being of the planet. Having worked with a variety of public and private organizations, her professional background and skills are in food policy, K-12 education, K-12 school meals, and non-communicable diseases. At UCLA, she has led several campaigns centered around sustainability, including dining hall reforms and institutional campaigns. She is the founder and director of UCLA's annual "Sustainable Food Futures" career fair, which encourages students to connect with non-traditional pathways across all sectors to engage in sustainability efforts. Within the greater Los Angeles area, she approaches the climate crisis through a community health lens, recognizing the importance of urban agriculture, green spaces, and access to healthy foods. Additionally, she frequently speaks on the importance of engaging the next generation of changemakers in sustainability reform, encouraging companies and organizations across all sectors to integrate youth perspectives and opportunities. In her free time, Sarahjeet enjoys gardening, practicing her traditional dance, and cooking plant-based dishes.

MARCOS J. MORENO

Pronouns: he/him/his

Bio: Marcos Jose Moreno is an environmental and community focused conservationist who grew up in the San Fernando Valley with experience being a community organizer, environmental field operative, and program development entrepreneur. While growing up in Pacoima, he developed an appreciation for the mountains and oceans surrounding his neighborhood and aspired to deepen his understanding of the coast he grew up visiting. During his time at Cal Poly Humboldt, formally known as Humboldt State University, he received a Bachelor's of Science in Oceanography leading hands on operations on his old vessel the R/V Coral Sea, from being lead cruise assistant assisting professors with teaching oceanographic sampling techniques, to conducting maintenance operations during dock days to maintain and preserve vessel upkeeping, to working with NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center and conducting research cruises dedicated to compile real time data dedicated to serve the global scale. Additionally, he worked closely with his university annual giving department starting out as a fundraiser to growing into a student fundraising manager and assisting operations of fundraising efforts for various campaigns including one that led him to present at Ocean Science Meeting 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Post graduation, he has been a leader in various non-profit sector interdisciplinaries ranging from contributing to grassroot canvassing efforts at social justice organizations such as Somos Familia Valle, leading community beautification and preservation of the L.A. River as an ambassador through the Los Angeles Conservation Corps and facilitating a network of other like-minded sustainability leaders from Black Thumb Farm, TreePeople and the Getty. He is looking forward to advocating for his community on climate issues and policies and turning passion into action. During his off time he is playing the bass guitar, SCUBA diving, or enjoying the natural world around Supervisorial District 3. 

GUISEL HERNANDEZ

Pronouns: she/her/hers/ella

Bio: Guisel Hernandez is a first-generation college graduate of Zapotec descent. She holds an Masters in Peace and Justice Studies from the University of San Diego and a Bachelors in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. For over ten years, Guisel has worked and volunteered locally and abroad with non-profit organizations dedicated to providing legal and social services to low-income and immigrant communities. Born and raised in a low-income, immigrant, and Zapotec community in Los Angeles, she has seen firsthand the disparities in social and economic opportunities. From her personal, academic, and professional experiences, she has developed skills in community outreach, monitoring and evaluation, peacebuilding, and advocacy to improve the lives and well-being of marginalized communities.

In addition to her commitment in advancing the rights of marginalized populations, she is also passionate about the environment. Her interest in environmental rights and justice stems from visits to her parents’ Zapotec village in the highlands of Oaxaca, Mexico. Inspired by the communal living and land management practices of the village, she gained a newfound appreciation for nature and sustainable development. Her interest in environmental rights and justice has also further developed through her research of armed conflicts over natural resources in Northern and Southern America and from hearing stories of people fleeing from their countries of origin due to environmental disasters. She has also observed how Indigenous and low-income communities are disproportionately impacted and the first to experience the direct consequences of climate change. She envisions a city with safe and equitable green spaces that children, families, and vulnerable populations can go to for the benefit of their mental and physical health.

Since the pandemic, Guisel expanded her understanding of the connection between health and the natural environment. Due to the transition to working from home, she began interacting more with the natural environment by exploring the outdoors. She recognized her privilege in being able to access nature and green spaces, which may not be accessible to everyone, due to limitations like financial constraints, unwalkable neighborhoods, or lack of transportation. As a result, she believes environmental issues are a human rights issue and through her participation with the Youth Climate Commission she hopes to foster social cohesion, create spaces for dialogue, and promote community engagement with the natural environment to make an impact on the lives and well-being of everyone.

JORDAN SALCIDO

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Bio: Jordan Salcido is a multidisciplinary community organizer based in the Los Angeles area. Through a number of projects, she supports efforts to advance environmental justice and amplify community needs and priorities. She greatly believes in the power of storytelling and seeks to shine a light on community stories of strength and resilience. Jordan is inspired by her community and is eager to further expand her network and to learn from a group of strong and thoughtful leaders. As a California naturalist, Jordan enjoys learning about the land and its plants, animals and people.

MAYRA CATALÁN-OROZCO

Pronouns: she/her/hers/ella

Bio: Mayra Catalán-Orozco is a seasoned community specialist with extensive experience in the non-profit sector. She is deeply committed to environmental and health initiatives, advocating for a just and resilient future for all individuals. In her recent capacity as Vice Chair of the Los Angeles County Youth Climate Commission, she anticipates the opportunity to cultivate collaborations and advocate for equitable climate solutions.

Mayra holds a bachelor's degree in health science, with an emphasis on community health education, from California State University, Long Beach. In 2016, she received the Zahra Bailoo Cabinet Member of the Year award from the CSULB Student Association Inc., along with recognition from The Student Life Development at CSULB.

Currently residing in Lakewood, California, Mayra values time spent outdoors, time with her family, and being in community. An immigrant from Mexico, she spent the majority of her upbringing in Lennox, California, before relocating to the Bay Area for five years. She is now pleased to return to her native Los Angeles and to contribute meaningfully to her community.

REBECCA GLOYER

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Bio: Rebecca Gloyer is a second-year El Camino College honors transfer student studying data science and business administration, looking to transfer to UC Berkeley in Fall 2023. Her passion for problem-solving and environmental equity has driven her to tackle sustainability on campus through her involvement in student government as Senate Lead, spear-heading waste management initiatives to promote student efforts in decreasing waste and adopting sustainable waste management practices.

JORGE DIAZ

Pronouns: he/him/his

Bio: Jorge Diaz, has been a part of civic-engagement, majoring in Political Science. Wanting to communicate with the other side of the world, he is also minoring in Chinese at Cerritos College. He is currently planning to transfer to UCLA in Fall 2024. Bringing engagement to his community is a passion for Jorge, from being an "Lynwood Ambassador” in his City representing the youth, leading the Student Programing Board in coordinating impactful events on his campus at Cerritos College, planning the Inaugural Lynwood Alumni Awards Gala Honoring Lynwood District alumni, and fundraising for future alumni.

He has been serving his community as a Planning Commissioner in the City of Lynwood working to ensure that any development and land use applications protect the welfare and well-being of Lynwood residents. He has also been a fellow at California For All College Crops, specializing in Climate Action leveraging the power of AmeriCorps to advance climate actions that engage communities, cultivate change, and leave a lasting impact. Through his fellowship and his interest in the ocean he has been placed at Alta Sea at the Port of Los Angeles where he is working at Braid Theory, a renowned leader in clean technology, and learning about the innovations in So-Cal.

RYAN VALENZUELA-HOLGUIN

Pronouns: he/him/his

Bio: Ryan Valenzuela-Holguin is a first-generation college student double majoring in aerospace engineering and sustainable architecture at College of the Canyons. His academic goals are to transfer to either University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) or University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) in the Fall 2024 and achieve an undergraduate degree. A career goal he has is to one day develop a career at Lockheed Martin or Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). While attending College of the Canyons, he became actively involved in many different areas of the campus community. One of those areas being sustainability, which he found a passion for as he began researching more about environmental and climate related issues. As a College Assistant, he is actively involved in the Sustainable Development Committee, which is tasked with keeping the College in compliance with state and local government regulations on environmental sustainability, as well as implementing district-wide initiatives and ordinances. 

He is also an active community member in the City of Santa Clarita, serving as a board member for the Santa Clarita Environmental Education Consortium, which is an award-winning non-profit organization whose mission is to improve environmental literacy for students and community members. As a student, he is always striving towards advancing his own skillsets and finding new learning opportunities in leadership roles. In doing so, he became a Lead for the STEM Equity Alliance at College of the Canyons, whose mission is to support marginalized students majoring in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) by creating an inclusive and educational environment for students to connect and have access to resources. Overall, his prospective goal is to use his educational background and experience from working in higher education to implement sustainable principles and design philosophies into the field of aerospace.

NILOOFAR SAHIMI

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Bio: Niloofar Sahimi is a second-year Environmental Studies major on the pre-law track, concentrating in Environmental Policy at the University of Southern California. She combines her passion for environmental advocacy with a commitment to advancing sustainable policies and fostering youth engagement. Her experiences in legislative and campaign work have built a solid foundation in environmental advocacy. As an intern with Congresswoman Judy Chu’s office, Niloofar supported legislative research, constituent communications, and community engagement, gaining first hand insight into the role of government in promoting equitable access. During her campaign internship with Nick Schultz for California State Assembly, she focused on voter outreach by phone banking and canvassing, deepening her appreciation for the role of local voices in policymaking. At USC, she actively promotes cultural awareness and environmental engagement as Director of Cultural Affairs for the Persian Student Organization and an Engagement Intern with the Environmental Student Assembly.

As a political intern with Climate Cabinet, Niloofar develops reports on candidates in key states, analyzes the impact of previously endorsed and incumbent candidate policies, and tracks social media trends to uplift climate-conscious leadership. Her dedication to environmental justice also extends to her work with the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International, where she leads outreach to universities nationwide and researches international stories from underrepresented voices, frontline communities, and BIPOC voices, creating summaries for publication on WECAN’s website. As Deputy Director of Communications for Climate Cardinals, she coordinates outreach and bilingual climate communications to make environmental issues accessible across language barriers. Additionally, Niloofar serves in leadership roles with the American Red Cross as Regional Volunteer Lead and Youth Advisor, supporting regional teams in disaster preparedness and amplifying youth engagement across the LA Region. Through Heirs to Our Oceans’ Youth Advisory Council, she has advocated for ocean conservation with lawmakers and helped improve engagement on social media by more than 500 followers. Niloofar’s diverse experiences drive her ambition to pursue environmental law as a career, where she hopes to champion justice-centered solutions for communities and a sustainable future.

As a member of the Youth Climate Commission, Niloofar sees environmental action as a pathway to social equity. Through her participation, she aims to bridge communities, prioritize youth voices and engagement in climate solutions, and inspire a commitment to resilience and well-being across Los Angeles County.

ARIANNA LAWRENCE

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Bio: Arianna is a student, environmental activist, and human rights advocate originally from Brooklyn, New York. She is currently studying Public Policy Analysis with a concentration in Environmental Analysis at Pomona College. Growing up in a pollution burdened coastal community, her experience with environmental degradation has imbued her with a passion for sustainable development, climate adaptation, and climate resilience. 

Arianna is interested in planning cities that prioritize sustainability and quality of life. Her work in advocacy, policy, education, and litigation spans several nonprofit, philanthropic, and governmental organizations, most recently the World Wildlife Fund and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In these roles, she has delivered outreach speeches to hundreds of students, coordinated youth lobby days, and advocated for environmental justice legislation at the U.S. Capitol. In her college community, Arianna coordinates a Rooftop Garden program for high schoolers in the Inland Empire and executes campus-wide sustainability initiatives as an Eco-Rep.

In her free time, Arianna loves to thrift and watch international films.

KARISSA RODRIGUEZ

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Bio: Karissa Rodriguez is a dedicated climate justice steward based in Los Angeles. With a strong foundation in environmental studies and an outside concentration in global policy from the University of California, Santa Barbara, she has a deep understanding of the complex issues at the intersection of environment and society. While studying, she interned for an environmentally sustainable company called Sun&Swell where she managed sales, engaged with customers, and automated nutritional information for all products.



Karissa’s professional journey has been marked by a commitment to public service. Soon after graduating, she began as an intern. Then, she became a staff assistant with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s Downtown and Pasadena field office. She conducted research, provided synopses, and provided specific recommendations on various county projects and plans, such as the LA County Water Plan, PG&E Proficiency, 2045 Climate Action Plan, and 2023 Annual Report OurCounty Sustainability Plan.



Her passion for environmental conservation efforts led her to become a marine protected areas survey volunteer, contributing to vital marine research efforts. Her work included collection of water samples which were sent to the Department of Fish and Wildlife and documentation of on and off-shore activity.



Currently, she is a California Climate Action community empowerment fellow with the non-profit organization City Plants, where she empowers marginalized communities through tree adoption programs and educational initiatives.



Karissa’s interdisciplinary approach, coupled with her strong community engagement skills in both the County and City, makes her a valuable asset in the fight for creating a sustainable future for Los Angeles. As the newly appointed Youth Climate Commissioner for District 5 her commitment to empowering individuals and advocating for policies that promote equitable access to environmental resources will drive positive change for all of Los Angeles.