Meet our team.

 

 Staff

Sigrid Wright brings over 30 years of experience in non-profit environmental management and has built multiple programs for climate, energy, and food-related issues. Under her leadership, CEC has grown its impact and stature. In 2020, Community Environmental Council was recognized as a California Non-Profit of the Year by then District 37 Assemblywoman Monique Limón, as well as a 2020 Spirit of Service Climate Hero by the City of Santa Barbara. In 2022, Sigrid was honored with a Congressional Woman of the Year Award by U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal.

Wright is a co-founder and steering committee member of the Central Coast Climate Justice Network, a co-founder of the Central Coast Climate Collaborative, and a co-founder and Board member of the Santa Barbara County Food Action Network. She is the co-author or editor of more than a dozen policy and planning documents, including The Santa Barbara County Regional Energy Blueprint. Prior to becoming the organization’s first female CEO in 2015, she led the annual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival production team for more than 15 years.

In addition, Wright sits on the boards of Leading From Within and the Santa Barbara Foundation’s Collaboration for Social Impact. She is an alum of the Santa Barbara Foundation’s Katherine Harvey Fellows program and the Courage to Lead program for nonprofit leaders. Her achievements led her to receive the 2015 Women of Achievement Award from the Association of Women in Communications, Santa Barbara. Wright holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Oregon, and a master’s degree in Communications Design from the Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts at the University of Baltimore.

Learn more about Sigrid in this Bluedot Living Santa Barbara feature.


DOMINIQUE ARANDA
Climate Programs Associate

Dominique Aranda joined CEC in 2023 as a Climate Program Associate, where she supports outreach efforts and the implementation of the Climate Resilience team’s ongoing projects. Prior to CEC, Dominique worked as a policy analysis intern at a nonprofit dedicated to providing support and guidance for individuals navigating society with a criminal record.

Born and raised in Santa Maria, Dominique is passionate about equity and climate justice. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Economy from the University of California, Berkeley. In her free time, she enjoys watercolor painting, reading, and spending time with family. 


MICHAEL CHIACOS
Director of Climate Policy

Michael Chiacos joined CEC in 2007 and currently serves as Director of Climate Policy, where he focuses on passing bold policies to reduce our usage of fossil fuels and bring equitable climate solutions to scale. Previously he served as CEC's Director of Energy and Transportation Programs. He is most proud of his role in moving our region toward 100% renewable electricity through the establishment of regional Community Choice Energy organizations, and starting Electric Drive 805, which is making it easier to use electric vehicles across the Central Coast.

Michael is currently on the steering committees for the Santa Barbara County Regional Climate Collaborative and the Central Coast Sustainability Summit. Michael has also served on the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District Community Advisory Committee, on the Measure A Citizens Oversight Committee, as Transportation Chair of the Los Padres chapter of the Sierra, and as President of the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition.

Michael was raised in Santa Barbara and holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in Environmental Studies from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. He spends his free time surfing, diving, spearfishing, gardening, and exploring the outdoors with his wife and daughter.


CRISTINA CZOCHANSKI
Climate Programs Associate

Cristina Czochanski joined the CEC Climate Mitigation team in 2023. In her role as Food & Energy Associate, she supports CEC’s community programs centered on food accessibility, sustainable food systems, and the transition to renewable energy. Before joining CEC, Cristina farmed in Southern Spain, worked on Carbon Neutrality Analyses, and did climate change research on ecosystem services and agriculture. She is passionate about sustainable agriculture, marine conservation, and community solutions in the pursuit of climate change mitigation. 

She holds a bachelor of science degree in Environmental Science and Policy: Marine and Coastal Management and Meteorology. She is from New Jersey but has lived in many places including Southern Utah, Hawaii, and Italy. In her free time she enjoys traveling, going to the beach, outdoor adventuring, and cooking vegan food.


ALHAN DIAZ-CORREA
Sr. Climate Projects Associate

Alhan Diaz-Correa joined CEC in 2020 and since then has built trust as a Community Ambassador. He leads CEC’s outreach and community organization in the North County region of Santa Barbara. He hopes to reduce human and ecological risk through strategic planning and conduct academic research in service of vulnerable communities in the future. As a result, he strives to build understanding and provide equitable solutions through research to solve real-world problems.

Alhan earned his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Montana in Missoula in 2019. He values solidarity and is actively working in the areas of racial, economic, and environmental justice. Alhan is excited to help CEC and his community form strong bonds and connections.


ELIZABETH FRY
Accounting Manager

Elizabeth Fry joined CEC in 2021 as the Accounting Manager where she is responsible for preparation of the financial statements and related variance analysis reports. She was born in San Francisco, California but raised in El Salvador, Central America for 20 years before relocating to the states. Elizabeth received her bachelor’s degree in Science in Business Administration with concentration in Accounting from San Francisco State University. In her free time, Elizabeth loves to travel and experience new foods, new cultures, and meet people from different cultures. She also likes walking, hiking, cooking, and baking.


JILLIAN HALL
Senior Communications & Marketing Associate

Jillian Hall joined CEC in 2022 as a Communications & Marketing Associate. She manages CEC’s social media platforms, and supports storytelling and production across the organization. Born and raised in Ventura County, Jillian is passionate about protecting Central Coast communities from climate impacts. She previously worked as an Organizing Associate with Food & Water Watch, creating digital action alerts and communications, organizing volunteer events and direct actions, and spearheading social media outreach for the Yes on Measures A & B Campaign. She volunteers with local organizations, including serving as a mentor for the Climate First Replacing Oil & Gas (CFROG) Environmental Voices Academy program for Ventura County high school students.

Jillian holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She currently resides in Ventura and enjoys going out for coffee, spending time outdoors, and thrifting.


KATIE HERSHFELT
Director of Communications & Marketing

Katie Hershfelt joined CEC in 2014 and is currently Director of Communications and Marketing. In this role, she leads the development and implementation of equitable, inclusive, and effective communications to engage and activate community members across all of our programs. Previously, she served as a Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival production partner and communications consultant. Katie also played an integral role in establishing the communications and marketing plan for the Santa Barbara County Food Action Network, a sustainable, local food system initiative that CEC helped establish.

Katie earned her bachelor’s degree in International Studies at the University of California, Irvine. She has lived in Santa Barbara for almost twenty years and has deep ties to the California Central Coast community. In addition to her work with CEC, Katie enjoys spending endless hours at farmers’ markets, cooking and eating regionally grown food, and inspiring others to do the same.


JENNIFER HERNÁNDEZ
Director of Climate Justice

Jennifer Hernandez joined CEC in 2018 as an Outreach Coordinator, focused on expanding community access to electric vehicles in Ventura County.  Her work has since evolved to include clean energy, transportation equity, resilience and climate justice. She currently directs CEC’s Climate Justice Program and serves as one of CEC’s representatives in the Central Coast Climate Justice Network. Before joining CEC, Jennifer interned with Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) working on environmental justice issues in Ventura County, and contributing to their work with the Clean Energy 805 Coalition.

Jennifer has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She currently lives in Fillmore, California with her partner and two kids, and enjoys cycling, cooking, and exploring the Santa Clara River.


EM JOHNSON
Director of Climate Resilience

Em Johnson joined CEC in 2022 and directs the Climate Resilience program. She plays a lead role in enacting CEC’s programs that help our Central Coast communities better respond, recover, adapt, and thrive in the face of climate change-related disruptions. Em has worked alongside frontline communities to design, plan, and implement community projects aimed to enhance local socio-economic resilience. During her five years as Executive Director of the Blue Sky Center, she helped energize creativity, innovation, and investment into the Cuyama Valley in Central California, worked to depoliticize climate change, and bridged the divide between urban and rural communities. She led efforts to connect people to resources and to develop new entrepreneurial initiatives and grassroots efforts to reclaim the power of rural resiliency.

Em earned her MBA in Social Entrepreneurship and Strategic Planning at Antioch University in Santa Barbara. She currently is a Board Member for the Santa Barbara Food Action Network, a sustainable, local food system initiative that CEC helped establish. Outside of work you can most often find Em hosting dinner parties in her high desert home or exploring our abundant Central Coastline.


KATHI KING
Director of Climate Education and Leadership

Kathi King joined CEC in 2008 and is Director of Climate Education and Leadership. She manages the waste reduction program, including the successful Rethink the Drink bottled water reduction program in local schools and parks. In 2021, she began teaching the UC Climate Stewards course through a partnership with University of California, a certification program that works to build a committed corps of local climate activists. Kathi also serves on the board of the Montecito Association, as Festival Director for the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival, and as Board Treasurer of the Montecito Village Fourth and Beautification Day Executive Committee. 

Kathi holds a bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications and Film from San Diego State University, and did post-graduate work in Environmental Studies at Santa Barbara City College, where she contributed to the single use plastic bag ban. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and walking on the beach with family and friends.


TIA KORDELL
Communications Project Manager

Tia joined the CEC Communications team in 2023 as the Communications Project Manager. In this role, she manages the communications initiatives across CEC’s program areas. Prior to working at the CEC, Tia was a project manager at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where she managed research spanning various environmental issue areas, including the benefits of marine protected areas, land-based climate solutions and California’s equitable energy transition. Tia believes in the power of storytelling to bring about bold climate action and has also worked in various communications roles in non-profit and academic institutions.

Tia received dual bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and Ecology, Conservation and Environmental Biology from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and holds a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management from the Bren School at UCSB. Originally from Pennsylvania, she currently resides in Santa Barbara and enjoys painting and drawing wildlife, spending time in nature, and going for walks with her dog, Demi.


JUAN LARES
Climate Programs Associate

Juan Lares joined the CEC Climate Mitigation Team in 2023. In his role as Energy & Transportation Associate, he supports access to and implementation of tri-county energy efficiency and electrification programs. Before joining CEC he worked in a community leadership role at a Bay Area agricultural nonprofit focusing on localized food system development, resilience, and accessibility. 

Juan brings a background in environmental and social sciences and aims to bridge local action and global change. Juan is passionate about community empowerment, technical-concept simplification, and relationship building. On most days you can find him on the trail, in the ocean, or at the Farmer’s Market.


SEAN MCARTHUR
Climate Projects Manager

Sean McArthur joined the CEC Climate Mitigation Team in 2023 as the Energy & Transportation Associate, supporting access to electric vehicles and the implementation of tri-county electric vehicle infrastructure projects. Before joining CEC he worked with a non-profit on environmental policy, organizing campaigns to reduce plastic pollution, increasing electric vehicle infrastructure, and speeding up California's transition to 100% renewable electricity.

Sean was born and raised in Roseville, CA, and holds a bachelor of science degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. In his spare time he loves to travel, play sports, and spend time with friends.


NATALIE MCGUIRE
Executive Assistant & Board Liaison

Natalie McGuire joined CEC in 2021 as Executive Assistant and Board Liaison where she facilitates close ties with CEC Board members. Prior to CEC, she worked as an Executive Assistant in a tech start-up, but her relationship to nature and passion for living mindfully brought her into environmental work. In her free time, Natalie likes to be outside with her son and dog. She also enjoys cycling, yoga, surfing, hiking, camping and photography.


ROSHEIL RAMIREZ
Climate Programs Associate

Rosheil Ramirez joined CEC in 2023 as our Climate Education and Leadership Associate. She has a background in local government and an interest in public health. Prior to CEC, Rosheil worked in the Community Development Department with the City of Oxnard where she participated in Long Range Planning and Sustainability projects, including the City’s Expanded Polystyrene Ordinance. 

Rosheil was born in Oxnard and raised all over the United States. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies with a minor in Global Health from the University of California, Los Angeles. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling.


ANA RICO
Embajadora de la Comunidad
Community Ambassador

Ana Rico joined CEC in 2020 as a Community Ambassador where she leads outreach and engagement with frontline communities in the South County region of Santa Barbara. She works with Conectados 2050/Connected 2050 to implement this project for the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments. Prior to CEC, she worked for COAST Sustainable Transportation for 12 years and volunteered with her local elementary and middle schools.

Ana grew up in Santa Barbara and experienced many traffic dangers as a pedestrian, including when she walked her three kids to school every day. She is committed to facilitating truly sustainable solutions to climate change that are developed hand-in-hand with our region’s most impacted frontline communities.


MICHAEL SARRASSAT
Climate Program Operations Manager

Michael Sarrassat joined CEC in 2022 as the Energy & Transportation Projects Manager. In this role, he leads the development, design, and implementation of projects that advance more equitable access to renewable energy, energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, and zero-emission transportation solutions across Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties.

Michael is an early adopter of electric vehicles and photovoltaic charging. He began his renewable energy journey as a member of the Electric Vehicle Association of San Diego. He then joined the Center for Sustainable Energy and was involved in multiple EV adoption and EV Infrastructure projects. Michael is well known throughout the renewable energy community as a subject matter expert and advisor. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, hiking, and hosting dinner parties. 


TIFFANY SGUEGLIA
Donor Database Manager

Tiffany Sgueglia joined CEC in 2024 as the Development Database Manager to advance CEC’s ability to build, grow, and sustain strong donor relationships. Before CEC, Tiffany worked as Development Manager for an animal rescue and Senior Program Manager for Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. While at Second Harvest, she established strategic partnerships, spearheaded a region-wide COVID-19 relief strategy, and distributed fresh groceries to over 500,000 people.

Tiffany holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Arizona. During her free time, she enjoys going to the beach with her dog, Winona, and practicing Bhakti Yoga.


FARAH STACK
Climate Programs Associate

Farah Stack joined CEC in 2023 as a Climate Policy Associate. She guides policy advocacy efforts for CEC’s programs and works with communities and elected officials to advance climate action in Ventura County and beyond. As a seasoned climate advocate, Farah is excited about accelerating justice-centered policies and community-led solutions that benefit people and the planet. Before joining CEC, Farah worked with the Environmental Voter Project (EVP), mobilizing thousands of environmentalists to vote in one of the biggest, most sophisticated Get-Out-The-Vote operations in the country.

Farah received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Southern California (USC) in 2022. She is a former competitive Division I swimmer, alumn of the 2041 Foundation Antarctica Leadership on the Edge Program, and serves on the board of The Summit Scholarship Foundation. In her free time, you can find her trail running, cycling, mountaineering, swimming, or sunbathing with her two cats, Kitty and Tulip.


BRE SLIKER
Climate Projects Manager (Agriculture)

Bre Sliker is the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program Manager at the Community Environmental Council, working to connect farmers and ranchers with the resources needed for socially, financially and ecologically resilient operations. 

Prior to her work at CEC, Bre worked at White Buffalo Land Trust leading programming and engagement, and has worked passionately at the intersection of agriculture, environmentalism, and food justice in both California and the Northeast. She has a Master's Degree in Sustainable Food Systems from NYU. Bre is also a trained beekeeper and integrates this level of ecological understanding into all aspects of her work. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, a good book, and long hikes with her partner and her Australian Shepherd, Levon. 


DARLENE SNOW
Director of Development

Darlene Snow joined CEC as the Director of Development in 2023, bringing over 20 years of experience in non-profit fundraising and environmental communications to the organization. She is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of fundraising efforts, grant writing, annual funds, major gifts, and all campaign activities. 

Darlene earned a B.S. Degree in Environmental Resource Management from The Pennsylvania State University and was an undergraduate resident intern at CEC for six months at the Gildea Resource Center. Since then, she’s split her professional career between Washington, D.C. and California. She enjoys the outdoors and when not working to fight the climate crisis can be found hiking, swimming, biking, or spending time with her adult children or Yorkshire Terrier, Bella.