Leadership Academy - Conservation Colorado

We, at Protégete, firmly believe that the most effective environmental and climate justice policies are created when diverse voices from the communities most affected contribute their lived experiences to the decision-making process. In pursuit of this goal, we established the Climate Justice Leadership Academy, which serves as a driving force for change through community-trained leaders.

At the core of the Climate Leadership Academy’s mission is the emphasis on centering Latine issues and elevating Latine leadership in environmental and climate policy-making. By doing so, we cultivate leaders from frontline communities who possess firsthand knowledge of the challenges impacting their neighborhoods, understand the shortcomings of current institutions, and know the necessary solutions for their communities to thrive.

To ensure the future of Latine environmental advocates, the Climate Justice Leadership Academy established a Boards and Commissions Fellowship, which prepares community members to serve in boards or commissions and learn diverse topics including parliamentary procedure, how decisions are made, public meeting law, and conflict management.

Fellows spend eight hours per month in this six-month training program hearing from experts in jointly facilitated discussions and meet monthly for coaching sessions with a chosen mentor. Fellows are expected to complete homework between sessions.

The first-ever cohort of fellows have begun their work to prepare for future leadership. With their dedication, the vision of building power for the future of Colorado can become a reality.

Learn More About Boards & Commissions Fellowship

Meet the First Cohort Members

Jorge Humberto Pantoja

I am an immigrant from Durango, Mexico. My family moved to Delta, CO in mid-2010. I graduated from Colorado Mesa University in 2016 with a B.A in Finance and a B.S in Public Accounting. Besides my job, I volunteer at the local Latino Chamber of Commerce, which I have served as the president the last four years. I also play soccer on Sundays, and keep up with a little tree farm my girlfriend and I started last year.

Laura Segura

I was born and raised in Mexico City. My parents taught me what social justice is. The power is a decision you take and then you commit with it, through consisting actions. We have to stay true to our convictions no matter what. I love my community and as an immigrant woman I have learned that I must be an example for the future generations. I believe that together we can do more and that by sharing our knowledge our community grows and thrives.

Cara Sherpa

I’m a recent graduate of the University of Denver with a degree in International studies with a minor in Economics. I’ve been working in the youth development space for two years as an AmeriCorps Vista, and I’m also currently serving as a youth board member on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Equity Grant Program. I hope to learn more about commissions to better serve my community.

Esmeralda Dominguez

I’m the Development and Office Administrator with MAIA USA. I previously worked as the Director of Operations & Community Relations with the Posner Center for International Development. As a young immigrant woman from Mexico and social justice activist for 25 years, I have gained tons of experience in working with diverse advocacy groups, local leaders and organizations, and different members of Congress. I joined the fellowship to serve on boards and commissions where minority voices are missing.

Alanna Barras

I’m excited for this fellowship as the next step in my learning journey. The more attention I pay to politics at all levels, the more vital I think it is to ensure we have decision makers in the room who are committed to community-driven and data-supported policy. I consider community advocacy to be extremely important because nobody knows what a community needs better than those who live in it.

Margarita Perea Escalera

I came from Zacatecas, Mexico to Colorado when I was 3-years-old. I like to spend some of my free time with coalitions that help the Hispanic/Latinx community and volunteering in organizations that offer direct service. I would like to share everything I’ve learned by implementing it into my everyday work and community volunteer work. I think that if people advocate for what is needed in their community, there will be better resources to support them.

Alejandra Marinelarena-Olivera

I’m Alejandra and I’m proud of my family, and most of all my siblings. I’m proud of what they have accomplished, how far they have gotten, what they had to endure, and who they have become. They inspire me every day to be the best version of myself. I applied for the fellowship because I love seeing all communities succeed, thrive, and live. I want to be part of the happiness, the healing, and the love.

Tania Ramierez Castanon

I’m a Junior at MSU Denver majoring in Political Science and Chicano Studies. I’m most proud of the involvement I’ve committed to in order to better support my community. I’ve joined a few organizations centered in areas that have helped me achieve my goals. I’ve applied to be a fellow as I know it will benefit my goals in the future.

América Carbajal Uranga

I have been a community leader for more than 20 years. I came to Colorado in 1999 and I joined the justice movement after I felt helpless and seeing all the damage and suffering that approved laws were causing to vulnerable groups for not being considered. I have been present in many of our achievements to make changes on immigration, reproductive rights, the LGBTQ community and labor rights. Now I want to be part of the admirable effort of the environmental movement.