Increase community-driven climate resilience in areas most likely to suffer disproportionate impacts of climate change through train-the-trainer programs that leverage the stories of bold leaders focused on community healing and sustainable ingenuity.

The Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award celebrates women of color who are building a healthier, safer, and more just world.

Through Emerge Puerto Rico (EmergePR), our new venture, we are ringing a clarion call for harnessing wonder, awe and imagination as the birthplace of powerful community-based adaptations to climate change. In so doing we are moving beyond fear, shame and guilt, towards the concrete examples that challenge our notions of what so-called marginal communities are capable of.

A Community and climate activist, Christine organized a community-led recovery effort after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico. As a Bridge Fellow she will build a community center where young people design solutions to the local challenges caused by climate change.

At Proyecto Apoyo Mutuo Mariana (PAM) in Puerto Rico, I have been moving our work from meeting the emergent crises after hurricane María, to establishing long term programs to give people the tools to create new narratives of self-determination. With PAM, I have jump-started the restoration of an abandoned school-building into a community center for cultural and artistic projects where people in Mariana along with visiting artists and contributors can heal from the devastating effects of the hurricane and work towards social and economic sustainability. I identify and marshal resources for individuals to start up their micro-businesses as well as community events at la Loma in Mariana Humacao. In our human history most transformational ideas have emerged from the margins, from the places in the dark. This is why in Mariana we are elevating the conversation about how to bring forth models for living in harmony with the environment while addressing one of our most fundamental human challenges: healing from individual and collective trauma.

Coach and instruct group of undergraduates from Australia, Pakistan, North and South Carolina in their entrepreneurial journey as part of an intensive, immersive summer experience of class and internship with a local startup. In my class students gain theoretical frameworks on best-practices for social entrepreneurship ventures and can think critically about the hype of entrepreneurship while also being plugged into the startup ecosystem. I lead the students in a process of self-reflection to identify the cultures of unworthiness and fear of failure that often lead startup founders to burnout. Students also get the opportunity to develop skills in managing group dynamics, interpersonal emotional intelligence and mindfulness.

On May 28th, 2015, 100 StartingBloc Fellows gathered in New Orleans, Louisiana, for the NOLA '15 Institute for Social Innovation. At the NOLA '15 StartingBloc Institute, Fellows participated in a series of workshops and activities designed to inspire, instruct, and stretch our limits. We learned directly from high impact entrepreneurs and change leaders, worked with proven frameworks for delivering change, and built relationships with new life-long allies. For more, check out: http://startingbloc.orgAlso, gracias to El Nuevo Dia, the largest newspaper in Puerto Rico, for interviewing me. If you can read Spanish, here is the story: http://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/cazanoticias/nota/buscanauspiciadoresparadesarrollarproyectosocial-2026362/#

In this role I linked FSU students and faculty to the Tallahassee and Puerto Rican community. I guided students in fulfilling their innovative and entrepreneurial potential through design thinking courses, talks and workshops as well as a boot-camp trip abroad.

As a community catalyst I volunteer my time to help design and implement a project that will improve Tallahassee's "sense of place". (For more, read Richard Florida's book, The Rise of the Creative Class) The project will focus on interweaving the identities of different districts in Tallahassee and helping citizens find their way throughout the local neighborhoods, while showcasing history, art and culture. The ultimate goal of the project is to promote economic development and attract and retain young talent.

Managed learning agenda and indicators for Pioneer portfolio. Hunter for disruptive ideas to redefine and solve health care challenges in the United States. Strategic advisor to portfolio grantees. RWJF spanish-speaking spokes person. Podcast host. Social media leader.

Emceed Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Denver, NYC, DC, Miami, L.A. and S.F. award ceremonies to celebrate the accomplishments of young talented Latinos in high school.

http://www.factcheck.org/just-the-facts/

http://philadelphia.holaciudad.com/contenidos/telemundo-programacion.html