Visiting the Agence Parisienne du Climat in Paris, 2018

In 2018, I had the privilege of visiting the Paris office of the Agence Parisienne du Climat (APC), and it left a lasting impression on me. As a Climate Reality Leader and Mentor, I’m always eager to see how cities turn climate commitments into real, practical action, and Paris is a place where ambition meets implementation.

The team welcomed me warmly and shared how the agency supports residents, building owners, and local businesses in reducing energy use and emissions. What struck me most was how accessible their approach is. Climate action isn’t presented as an abstract goal; it’s translated into concrete steps people can take in their homes and neighborhoods. Their work shows that cities can be powerful engines of change when they bring together citizens, experts, and local government.

Here are some of the key areas of their work:

• Energy retrofitting: Guiding co-owned buildings and homeowners through renovations that improve energy efficiency and cut emissions.
• Citizen advice: Offering free, independent guidance on energy savings, renewable energy, and available financial support.
• Climate planning support: Helping the City of Paris implement and monitor its Climate Action Plan.
• Awareness and education: Running events, workshops, and campaigns to engage Parisians in the ecological transition.

I left inspired and eager to share these lessons with my own community and mentees. 🌍

#ClimateReality #ClimateAction #Paris #CityClimateLeadership

Latinxs in Sustainability

🌸🌸Honored to have taught the next generation of climate leaders! 🌎⚡🌸🌸

On Wednesday evening, I had the privilege of speaking as a guest lecturer in the Fall 2026 Latinxs in Sustainability (LiS) x CUNY Lecture Series at The City College of New York, alongside prominent Dr. Selva Calixto, PhD sharing our time and expertise with students in the Level Up! course.

This series connects students with people working in clean energy, sustainability, and climate. It goes beyond textbook concepts to the real projects, tough tradeoffs, and career pathways that shape this field. Students need to see people who look like them, and who share their stories, leading in these spaces.

In my session, I shared:

⚡ Energy market trends and the role energy professionals play in advancing resilience and sustainability goals
⚡ Lessons learned, and the challenges that don’t make it into the case studies
⚡ The skills and pathways students can build to enter the clean energy workforce

Whether through advocacy, mentorship, or community engagement, I’ve committed myself to making sure the benefits of the clean energy transition reach the communities that have been left out of the conversation for too long.

Educating is one of the most powerful forms of advocacy. Every student who leaves with the confidence, skills, and community to pursue this work is another voice for a just and sustainable future.

Thank you to Stephanie Almodovar, Carolina, and the entire Latinxs in Sustainability team for building this platform and inviting me to be part of it. Congratulations to Dr. Selva Calixto and all of this semester’s speakers. I was honored to share this stage with you!

To the students: thank you for your questions, your curiosity, and your ideas. The future of this field is yours. 💚

#LatinxsInSustainability #CUNY #CCNY #CleanEnergy #EquitableDecarbonization #EnergyResilience #ClimateJustice #SustainabilityEducation #LevelUp

CSW-NY: Advancing Gender Equality Through Civil Society

NGO CSW/NY is a New York-based nonprofit coalition that connects civil society organizations with the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the principal global body dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Each year, it helps advocates, activists, and organizations take part in CSW sessions, creating opportunities to share expertise, build partnerships, and influence policy conversations.

Its mission is to amplify civil society voices at the UN, promote women’s human rights, and support the full implementation of global commitments to gender equality. Through events, programming, and collaboration, CSW-NY brings grassroots perspectives into international dialogue.

The CSW-NY community spans nonprofits, academic institutions, and businesses. Among its members, Calm and Mindful LLC has been listed as an Associate Member [Private Sector] since 2024, reflecting its support for women’s wellbeing and the broader goals of gender equality.