Facilitator Directory

My facilitation style and community- driven planning process is centered around my work as one of six CBO's of the Water Wise Gulf South Collective. Our work with residents to engage, educate and empower residents to make decisions to mitigate urban flooding and to adapt strategies that work best (for the respective communities), with understanding the engineering, hydrology and hydraulics of stormwater management in predominantly African American neighborhoods. This approach has been successful that as a collective we have built trusting relationships of residents, elected officials, (local, state and national) in order to facilitate change and to improve the quality of life for residents underserved and underinvested communities.

The approach to facilitation I used are setting frameworks based on a community's needs, goals, visions and objectives. Accountability and transparency are keys to success. Subject matter experts are intersected with the community's lived experiences and expertise.

Dr. Angela M. Chalk is a 4th generation 7th Ward resident. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Healthy Community Services, a non-profit organization, located in the 7th Ward of New Orleans, LA. She is a Past President of the Louisiana Public Health Association and has served on the American Public Health Association’s Center for Climate, Health & Equity Steering Committee. Chalk's expertise and research focuses on Community Science, the Urban Heat Island Effect and its effects to overburden African American Communities. Her passion and life's work is highlighted by her commitment to mitigate the impacts of severe weather events, urban flooding, food insecurity and coastal resiliency at the intersection of climate health and public health.

Additionally, she is a Climate Health Ambassador with Eco-America as well as a Community Science Fellow with the American Geo Physical Thriving Earth Exchange. Healthy Community Services received the 2022 Outstanding Non-Profit Award by the U.S. Water Alliance.

Dr. Chalk received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications; and a Minor: in Public Health from Dillard University; an MS in Health Care Management from the University of New Orleans, and a Doctor of Health Administration from Virginia University of Lynchburg. Dr. Chalk serves as a Visiting Adjunct Professor at the Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences Department.  She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

‍

I have innovated a fair bit of ecological justice curriculum, including the Just Transition Framework. I also have developed tools for both community organizing and strategic planning around capacity, resilience, and more transformative approaches to goals (Resilience Based Organizing, etc.).

Gopal is a co-founder of Movement Generation: Justice and Ecology Project and has been teaching, training, and facilitating community visioning, political education, direct action, strategic planning and more using Ecological Systems Thinking, Resilience and Just Transition as core frameworks. He has co-developed curriculum, facilitation tools and movement frameworks that are used broadly by racial, economic, and ecological justice movements. Gopal also teaching Climate Justice related courses at San Francisco State University and Antioch University in Los Angeles.

I have experience in mobilizing community to be involved in the city council, community empowerment and community leadership.

Raul Lazaro is with the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project. He has been part of community lead planning since the age 15, including as part of the massive strive of La union de campesinos in Salinas Ca.

‍

My facilitation approach is rooted in inclusive, community-driven engagement that prioritizes relationship-building, equity, and actionable outcomes. I create collaborative, participatory spaces where diverse voices—especially those from historically underrepresented communities—can shape climate resilience and sustainability solutions.I use popular education, participatory action research (PAR), and restorative justice practices to ensure facilitation is both empowering and transformative. My work often incorporates scenario-based exercises, consensus-building techniques, and storytelling to bridge technical knowledge with lived experiences.I have experience facilitating with local governments, school districts, nonprofits, businesses, and grassroots organizations, working at the intersection of climate action, environmental justice, sustainability, and DEIA. My expertise extends to climate adaptation planning, green workforce development, agri-voltaics, and climate tech. Additionally, I integrate mental wellness and trauma-informed practices to address burnout and resilience in leadership.I tailor facilitation to each audience, whether guiding policy discussions, community-based planning, or cross-sector collaborations. My goal is to foster equitable climate solutions that are data-informed, culturally relevant, and centered on long-term sustainability.

NJ Mvondo is a social entrepreneur, climate resilience planner, and DEIA practitioner with extensive experience in community-driven planning, stakeholder engagement, and equity-focused facilitation. As Chair of the Yolo County Climate Action Commission and an advisor to local and regional initiatives, NJ specializes in bridging science, policy, and lived experience to create inclusive, action-oriented sustainability solutions. Her approach integrates participatory action research, restorative justice, and systems mapping to ensure that historically excluded communities shape climate adaptation and resilience strategies.

Relational, Creative, Grounded in the theory and practices of Popular Education, Participatory Action Research and Theatre of the Oppressed

Levana develops strategic methodology, curriculum, training and research projects to support movement building and popular education. Over the last 25 years she has trained and facilitated thousands of children, youth and adults to support work for climate justice, migrant rights, racial justice and Indigenous sovereignty.

She has co-founded multiple organizations and projects dedicated to community-driven change, locally, nationally and internationally including UNEP's TUNZA Youth Advisory Council, the White Noise Collective, Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Youth Alliance, Bay Area Solidarity Action Team, the Ruckus Art Corps and PFCC. She was the Education Coordinator for Rainforest Action Network, Participatory Action Researcher with Youth In Focus and Training Coordinator for Movement Strategy Center. After working with the Paulo Freire Institute in São Paulo, she dedicated herself to making the theories and practices of Popular Education and Theatre of the Oppressed accessible to organizers, educators, researchers, and designers in the US. In addition to co-coordinating Partners for Collaborative Change, she can be found making giant puppets, gardening, or drumming. Both her Bachelors and Masters degrees are in Education for Social Justice.

‍

My facilitation style and community- driven planning process is centered around my work as one of six CBO's of the Water Wise Gulf South Collective. Our work with residents to engage, educate and empower residents to make decisions to mitigate urban flooding and to adapt strategies that work best (for the respective communities), with understanding the engineering, hydrology and hydraulics of stormwater management in predominantly African American neighborhoods. This approach has been successful that as a collective we have built trusting relationships of residents, elected officials, (local, state and national) in order to facilitate change and to improve the quality of life for residents underserved and underinvested communities.

The approach to facilitation I used are setting frameworks based on a community's needs, goals, visions and objectives. Accountability and transparency are keys to success. Subject matter experts are intersected with the community's lived experiences and expertise.

Dr. Angela M. Chalk is a 4th generation 7th Ward resident. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Healthy Community Services, a non-profit organization, located in the 7th Ward of New Orleans, LA. She is a Past President of the Louisiana Public Health Association and has served on the American Public Health Association’s Center for Climate, Health & Equity Steering Committee. Chalk's expertise and research focuses on Community Science, the Urban Heat Island Effect and its effects to overburden African American Communities. Her passion and life's work is highlighted by her commitment to mitigate the impacts of severe weather events, urban flooding, food insecurity and coastal resiliency at the intersection of climate health and public health.

Additionally, she is a Climate Health Ambassador with Eco-America as well as a Community Science Fellow with the American Geo Physical Thriving Earth Exchange. Healthy Community Services received the 2022 Outstanding Non-Profit Award by the U.S. Water Alliance.

Dr. Chalk received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications; and a Minor: in Public Health from Dillard University; an MS in Health Care Management from the University of New Orleans, and a Doctor of Health Administration from Virginia University of Lynchburg. Dr. Chalk serves as a Visiting Adjunct Professor at the Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences Department.  She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

‍

I have innovated a fair bit of ecological justice curriculum, including the Just Transition Framework. I also have developed tools for both community organizing and strategic planning around capacity, resilience, and more transformative approaches to goals (Resilience Based Organizing, etc.).

Gopal is a co-founder of Movement Generation: Justice and Ecology Project and has been teaching, training, and facilitating community visioning, political education, direct action, strategic planning and more using Ecological Systems Thinking, Resilience and Just Transition as core frameworks. He has co-developed curriculum, facilitation tools and movement frameworks that are used broadly by racial, economic, and ecological justice movements. Gopal also teaching Climate Justice related courses at San Francisco State University and Antioch University in Los Angeles.

I have experience in mobilizing community to be involved in the city council, community empowerment and community leadership.

Raul Lazaro is with the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project. He has been part of community lead planning since the age 15, including as part of the massive strive of La union de campesinos in Salinas Ca.

‍

My facilitation approach is rooted in inclusive, community-driven engagement that prioritizes relationship-building, equity, and actionable outcomes. I create collaborative, participatory spaces where diverse voices—especially those from historically underrepresented communities—can shape climate resilience and sustainability solutions.I use popular education, participatory action research (PAR), and restorative justice practices to ensure facilitation is both empowering and transformative. My work often incorporates scenario-based exercises, consensus-building techniques, and storytelling to bridge technical knowledge with lived experiences.I have experience facilitating with local governments, school districts, nonprofits, businesses, and grassroots organizations, working at the intersection of climate action, environmental justice, sustainability, and DEIA. My expertise extends to climate adaptation planning, green workforce development, agri-voltaics, and climate tech. Additionally, I integrate mental wellness and trauma-informed practices to address burnout and resilience in leadership.I tailor facilitation to each audience, whether guiding policy discussions, community-based planning, or cross-sector collaborations. My goal is to foster equitable climate solutions that are data-informed, culturally relevant, and centered on long-term sustainability.

NJ Mvondo is a social entrepreneur, climate resilience planner, and DEIA practitioner with extensive experience in community-driven planning, stakeholder engagement, and equity-focused facilitation. As Chair of the Yolo County Climate Action Commission and an advisor to local and regional initiatives, NJ specializes in bridging science, policy, and lived experience to create inclusive, action-oriented sustainability solutions. Her approach integrates participatory action research, restorative justice, and systems mapping to ensure that historically excluded communities shape climate adaptation and resilience strategies.

Relational, Creative, Grounded in the theory and practices of Popular Education, Participatory Action Research and Theatre of the Oppressed

Levana develops strategic methodology, curriculum, training and research projects to support movement building and popular education. Over the last 25 years she has trained and facilitated thousands of children, youth and adults to support work for climate justice, migrant rights, racial justice and Indigenous sovereignty.

She has co-founded multiple organizations and projects dedicated to community-driven change, locally, nationally and internationally including UNEP's TUNZA Youth Advisory Council, the White Noise Collective, Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Youth Alliance, Bay Area Solidarity Action Team, the Ruckus Art Corps and PFCC. She was the Education Coordinator for Rainforest Action Network, Participatory Action Researcher with Youth In Focus and Training Coordinator for Movement Strategy Center. After working with the Paulo Freire Institute in São Paulo, she dedicated herself to making the theories and practices of Popular Education and Theatre of the Oppressed accessible to organizers, educators, researchers, and designers in the US. In addition to co-coordinating Partners for Collaborative Change, she can be found making giant puppets, gardening, or drumming. Both her Bachelors and Masters degrees are in Education for Social Justice.

‍

My facilitation style and community- driven planning process is centered around my work as one of six CBO's of the Water Wise Gulf South Collective. Our work with residents to engage, educate and empower residents to make decisions to mitigate urban flooding and to adapt strategies that work best (for the respective communities), with understanding the engineering, hydrology and hydraulics of stormwater management in predominantly African American neighborhoods. This approach has been successful that as a collective we have built trusting relationships of residents, elected officials, (local, state and national) in order to facilitate change and to improve the quality of life for residents underserved and underinvested communities.

The approach to facilitation I used are setting frameworks based on a community's needs, goals, visions and objectives. Accountability and transparency are keys to success. Subject matter experts are intersected with the community's lived experiences and expertise.

Dr. Angela M. Chalk is a 4th generation 7th Ward resident. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Healthy Community Services, a non-profit organization, located in the 7th Ward of New Orleans, LA. She is a Past President of the Louisiana Public Health Association and has served on the American Public Health Association’s Center for Climate, Health & Equity Steering Committee. Chalk's expertise and research focuses on Community Science, the Urban Heat Island Effect and its effects to overburden African American Communities. Her passion and life's work is highlighted by her commitment to mitigate the impacts of severe weather events, urban flooding, food insecurity and coastal resiliency at the intersection of climate health and public health.

Additionally, she is a Climate Health Ambassador with Eco-America as well as a Community Science Fellow with the American Geo Physical Thriving Earth Exchange. Healthy Community Services received the 2022 Outstanding Non-Profit Award by the U.S. Water Alliance.

Dr. Chalk received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications; and a Minor: in Public Health from Dillard University; an MS in Health Care Management from the University of New Orleans, and a Doctor of Health Administration from Virginia University of Lynchburg. Dr. Chalk serves as a Visiting Adjunct Professor at the Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences Department.  She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

‍

I have innovated a fair bit of ecological justice curriculum, including the Just Transition Framework. I also have developed tools for both community organizing and strategic planning around capacity, resilience, and more transformative approaches to goals (Resilience Based Organizing, etc.).

Gopal is a co-founder of Movement Generation: Justice and Ecology Project and has been teaching, training, and facilitating community visioning, political education, direct action, strategic planning and more using Ecological Systems Thinking, Resilience and Just Transition as core frameworks. He has co-developed curriculum, facilitation tools and movement frameworks that are used broadly by racial, economic, and ecological justice movements. Gopal also teaching Climate Justice related courses at San Francisco State University and Antioch University in Los Angeles.

I have experience in mobilizing community to be involved in the city council, community empowerment and community leadership.

Raul Lazaro is with the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project. He has been part of community lead planning since the age 15, including as part of the massive strive of La union de campesinos in Salinas Ca.

‍

My facilitation approach is rooted in inclusive, community-driven engagement that prioritizes relationship-building, equity, and actionable outcomes. I create collaborative, participatory spaces where diverse voices—especially those from historically underrepresented communities—can shape climate resilience and sustainability solutions.I use popular education, participatory action research (PAR), and restorative justice practices to ensure facilitation is both empowering and transformative. My work often incorporates scenario-based exercises, consensus-building techniques, and storytelling to bridge technical knowledge with lived experiences.I have experience facilitating with local governments, school districts, nonprofits, businesses, and grassroots organizations, working at the intersection of climate action, environmental justice, sustainability, and DEIA. My expertise extends to climate adaptation planning, green workforce development, agri-voltaics, and climate tech. Additionally, I integrate mental wellness and trauma-informed practices to address burnout and resilience in leadership.I tailor facilitation to each audience, whether guiding policy discussions, community-based planning, or cross-sector collaborations. My goal is to foster equitable climate solutions that are data-informed, culturally relevant, and centered on long-term sustainability.

NJ Mvondo is a social entrepreneur, climate resilience planner, and DEIA practitioner with extensive experience in community-driven planning, stakeholder engagement, and equity-focused facilitation. As Chair of the Yolo County Climate Action Commission and an advisor to local and regional initiatives, NJ specializes in bridging science, policy, and lived experience to create inclusive, action-oriented sustainability solutions. Her approach integrates participatory action research, restorative justice, and systems mapping to ensure that historically excluded communities shape climate adaptation and resilience strategies.

Relational, Creative, Grounded in the theory and practices of Popular Education, Participatory Action Research and Theatre of the Oppressed

Levana develops strategic methodology, curriculum, training and research projects to support movement building and popular education. Over the last 25 years she has trained and facilitated thousands of children, youth and adults to support work for climate justice, migrant rights, racial justice and Indigenous sovereignty.

She has co-founded multiple organizations and projects dedicated to community-driven change, locally, nationally and internationally including UNEP's TUNZA Youth Advisory Council, the White Noise Collective, Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Youth Alliance, Bay Area Solidarity Action Team, the Ruckus Art Corps and PFCC. She was the Education Coordinator for Rainforest Action Network, Participatory Action Researcher with Youth In Focus and Training Coordinator for Movement Strategy Center. After working with the Paulo Freire Institute in São Paulo, she dedicated herself to making the theories and practices of Popular Education and Theatre of the Oppressed accessible to organizers, educators, researchers, and designers in the US. In addition to co-coordinating Partners for Collaborative Change, she can be found making giant puppets, gardening, or drumming. Both her Bachelors and Masters degrees are in Education for Social Justice.

‍

My facilitation style and community- driven planning process is centered around my work as one of six CBO's of the Water Wise Gulf South Collective. Our work with residents to engage, educate and empower residents to make decisions to mitigate urban flooding and to adapt strategies that work best (for the respective communities), with understanding the engineering, hydrology and hydraulics of stormwater management in predominantly African American neighborhoods. This approach has been successful that as a collective we have built trusting relationships of residents, elected officials, (local, state and national) in order to facilitate change and to improve the quality of life for residents underserved and underinvested communities.

The approach to facilitation I used are setting frameworks based on a community's needs, goals, visions and objectives. Accountability and transparency are keys to success. Subject matter experts are intersected with the community's lived experiences and expertise.

Dr. Angela M. Chalk is a 4th generation 7th Ward resident. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Healthy Community Services, a non-profit organization, located in the 7th Ward of New Orleans, LA. She is a Past President of the Louisiana Public Health Association and has served on the American Public Health Association’s Center for Climate, Health & Equity Steering Committee. Chalk's expertise and research focuses on Community Science, the Urban Heat Island Effect and its effects to overburden African American Communities. Her passion and life's work is highlighted by her commitment to mitigate the impacts of severe weather events, urban flooding, food insecurity and coastal resiliency at the intersection of climate health and public health.

Additionally, she is a Climate Health Ambassador with Eco-America as well as a Community Science Fellow with the American Geo Physical Thriving Earth Exchange. Healthy Community Services received the 2022 Outstanding Non-Profit Award by the U.S. Water Alliance.

Dr. Chalk received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications; and a Minor: in Public Health from Dillard University; an MS in Health Care Management from the University of New Orleans, and a Doctor of Health Administration from Virginia University of Lynchburg. Dr. Chalk serves as a Visiting Adjunct Professor at the Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences Department.  She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

‍

I have innovated a fair bit of ecological justice curriculum, including the Just Transition Framework. I also have developed tools for both community organizing and strategic planning around capacity, resilience, and more transformative approaches to goals (Resilience Based Organizing, etc.).

Gopal is a co-founder of Movement Generation: Justice and Ecology Project and has been teaching, training, and facilitating community visioning, political education, direct action, strategic planning and more using Ecological Systems Thinking, Resilience and Just Transition as core frameworks. He has co-developed curriculum, facilitation tools and movement frameworks that are used broadly by racial, economic, and ecological justice movements. Gopal also teaching Climate Justice related courses at San Francisco State University and Antioch University in Los Angeles.

I have experience in mobilizing community to be involved in the city council, community empowerment and community leadership.

Raul Lazaro is with the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project. He has been part of community lead planning since the age 15, including as part of the massive strive of La union de campesinos in Salinas Ca.

‍

My facilitation approach is rooted in inclusive, community-driven engagement that prioritizes relationship-building, equity, and actionable outcomes. I create collaborative, participatory spaces where diverse voices—especially those from historically underrepresented communities—can shape climate resilience and sustainability solutions.I use popular education, participatory action research (PAR), and restorative justice practices to ensure facilitation is both empowering and transformative. My work often incorporates scenario-based exercises, consensus-building techniques, and storytelling to bridge technical knowledge with lived experiences.I have experience facilitating with local governments, school districts, nonprofits, businesses, and grassroots organizations, working at the intersection of climate action, environmental justice, sustainability, and DEIA. My expertise extends to climate adaptation planning, green workforce development, agri-voltaics, and climate tech. Additionally, I integrate mental wellness and trauma-informed practices to address burnout and resilience in leadership.I tailor facilitation to each audience, whether guiding policy discussions, community-based planning, or cross-sector collaborations. My goal is to foster equitable climate solutions that are data-informed, culturally relevant, and centered on long-term sustainability.

NJ Mvondo is a social entrepreneur, climate resilience planner, and DEIA practitioner with extensive experience in community-driven planning, stakeholder engagement, and equity-focused facilitation. As Chair of the Yolo County Climate Action Commission and an advisor to local and regional initiatives, NJ specializes in bridging science, policy, and lived experience to create inclusive, action-oriented sustainability solutions. Her approach integrates participatory action research, restorative justice, and systems mapping to ensure that historically excluded communities shape climate adaptation and resilience strategies.

Relational, Creative, Grounded in the theory and practices of Popular Education, Participatory Action Research and Theatre of the Oppressed

Levana develops strategic methodology, curriculum, training and research projects to support movement building and popular education. Over the last 25 years she has trained and facilitated thousands of children, youth and adults to support work for climate justice, migrant rights, racial justice and Indigenous sovereignty.

She has co-founded multiple organizations and projects dedicated to community-driven change, locally, nationally and internationally including UNEP's TUNZA Youth Advisory Council, the White Noise Collective, Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Youth Alliance, Bay Area Solidarity Action Team, the Ruckus Art Corps and PFCC. She was the Education Coordinator for Rainforest Action Network, Participatory Action Researcher with Youth In Focus and Training Coordinator for Movement Strategy Center. After working with the Paulo Freire Institute in São Paulo, she dedicated herself to making the theories and practices of Popular Education and Theatre of the Oppressed accessible to organizers, educators, researchers, and designers in the US. In addition to co-coordinating Partners for Collaborative Change, she can be found making giant puppets, gardening, or drumming. Both her Bachelors and Masters degrees are in Education for Social Justice.

‍

My facilitation style and community- driven planning process is centered around my work as one of six CBO's of the Water Wise Gulf South Collective. Our work with residents to engage, educate and empower residents to make decisions to mitigate urban flooding and to adapt strategies that work best (for the respective communities), with understanding the engineering, hydrology and hydraulics of stormwater management in predominantly African American neighborhoods. This approach has been successful that as a collective we have built trusting relationships of residents, elected officials, (local, state and national) in order to facilitate change and to improve the quality of life for residents underserved and underinvested communities.

The approach to facilitation I used are setting frameworks based on a community's needs, goals, visions and objectives. Accountability and transparency are keys to success. Subject matter experts are intersected with the community's lived experiences and expertise.

Dr. Angela M. Chalk is a 4th generation 7th Ward resident. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Healthy Community Services, a non-profit organization, located in the 7th Ward of New Orleans, LA. She is a Past President of the Louisiana Public Health Association and has served on the American Public Health Association’s Center for Climate, Health & Equity Steering Committee. Chalk's expertise and research focuses on Community Science, the Urban Heat Island Effect and its effects to overburden African American Communities. Her passion and life's work is highlighted by her commitment to mitigate the impacts of severe weather events, urban flooding, food insecurity and coastal resiliency at the intersection of climate health and public health.

Additionally, she is a Climate Health Ambassador with Eco-America as well as a Community Science Fellow with the American Geo Physical Thriving Earth Exchange. Healthy Community Services received the 2022 Outstanding Non-Profit Award by the U.S. Water Alliance.

Dr. Chalk received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications; and a Minor: in Public Health from Dillard University; an MS in Health Care Management from the University of New Orleans, and a Doctor of Health Administration from Virginia University of Lynchburg. Dr. Chalk serves as a Visiting Adjunct Professor at the Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences Department.  She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

‍

I have innovated a fair bit of ecological justice curriculum, including the Just Transition Framework. I also have developed tools for both community organizing and strategic planning around capacity, resilience, and more transformative approaches to goals (Resilience Based Organizing, etc.).

Gopal is a co-founder of Movement Generation: Justice and Ecology Project and has been teaching, training, and facilitating community visioning, political education, direct action, strategic planning and more using Ecological Systems Thinking, Resilience and Just Transition as core frameworks. He has co-developed curriculum, facilitation tools and movement frameworks that are used broadly by racial, economic, and ecological justice movements. Gopal also teaching Climate Justice related courses at San Francisco State University and Antioch University in Los Angeles.

I have experience in mobilizing community to be involved in the city council, community empowerment and community leadership.

Raul Lazaro is with the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project. He has been part of community lead planning since the age 15, including as part of the massive strive of La union de campesinos in Salinas Ca.

‍

My facilitation approach is rooted in inclusive, community-driven engagement that prioritizes relationship-building, equity, and actionable outcomes. I create collaborative, participatory spaces where diverse voices—especially those from historically underrepresented communities—can shape climate resilience and sustainability solutions.I use popular education, participatory action research (PAR), and restorative justice practices to ensure facilitation is both empowering and transformative. My work often incorporates scenario-based exercises, consensus-building techniques, and storytelling to bridge technical knowledge with lived experiences.I have experience facilitating with local governments, school districts, nonprofits, businesses, and grassroots organizations, working at the intersection of climate action, environmental justice, sustainability, and DEIA. My expertise extends to climate adaptation planning, green workforce development, agri-voltaics, and climate tech. Additionally, I integrate mental wellness and trauma-informed practices to address burnout and resilience in leadership.I tailor facilitation to each audience, whether guiding policy discussions, community-based planning, or cross-sector collaborations. My goal is to foster equitable climate solutions that are data-informed, culturally relevant, and centered on long-term sustainability.

NJ Mvondo is a social entrepreneur, climate resilience planner, and DEIA practitioner with extensive experience in community-driven planning, stakeholder engagement, and equity-focused facilitation. As Chair of the Yolo County Climate Action Commission and an advisor to local and regional initiatives, NJ specializes in bridging science, policy, and lived experience to create inclusive, action-oriented sustainability solutions. Her approach integrates participatory action research, restorative justice, and systems mapping to ensure that historically excluded communities shape climate adaptation and resilience strategies.

Relational, Creative, Grounded in the theory and practices of Popular Education, Participatory Action Research and Theatre of the Oppressed

Levana develops strategic methodology, curriculum, training and research projects to support movement building and popular education. Over the last 25 years she has trained and facilitated thousands of children, youth and adults to support work for climate justice, migrant rights, racial justice and Indigenous sovereignty.

She has co-founded multiple organizations and projects dedicated to community-driven change, locally, nationally and internationally including UNEP's TUNZA Youth Advisory Council, the White Noise Collective, Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Youth Alliance, Bay Area Solidarity Action Team, the Ruckus Art Corps and PFCC. She was the Education Coordinator for Rainforest Action Network, Participatory Action Researcher with Youth In Focus and Training Coordinator for Movement Strategy Center. After working with the Paulo Freire Institute in São Paulo, she dedicated herself to making the theories and practices of Popular Education and Theatre of the Oppressed accessible to organizers, educators, researchers, and designers in the US. In addition to co-coordinating Partners for Collaborative Change, she can be found making giant puppets, gardening, or drumming. Both her Bachelors and Masters degrees are in Education for Social Justice.

‍

My facilitation style and community- driven planning process is centered around my work as one of six CBO's of the Water Wise Gulf South Collective. Our work with residents to engage, educate and empower residents to make decisions to mitigate urban flooding and to adapt strategies that work best (for the respective communities), with understanding the engineering, hydrology and hydraulics of stormwater management in predominantly African American neighborhoods. This approach has been successful that as a collective we have built trusting relationships of residents, elected officials, (local, state and national) in order to facilitate change and to improve the quality of life for residents underserved and underinvested communities.

The approach to facilitation I used are setting frameworks based on a community's needs, goals, visions and objectives. Accountability and transparency are keys to success. Subject matter experts are intersected with the community's lived experiences and expertise.

Dr. Angela M. Chalk is a 4th generation 7th Ward resident. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Healthy Community Services, a non-profit organization, located in the 7th Ward of New Orleans, LA. She is a Past President of the Louisiana Public Health Association and has served on the American Public Health Association’s Center for Climate, Health & Equity Steering Committee. Chalk's expertise and research focuses on Community Science, the Urban Heat Island Effect and its effects to overburden African American Communities. Her passion and life's work is highlighted by her commitment to mitigate the impacts of severe weather events, urban flooding, food insecurity and coastal resiliency at the intersection of climate health and public health.

Additionally, she is a Climate Health Ambassador with Eco-America as well as a Community Science Fellow with the American Geo Physical Thriving Earth Exchange. Healthy Community Services received the 2022 Outstanding Non-Profit Award by the U.S. Water Alliance.

Dr. Chalk received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications; and a Minor: in Public Health from Dillard University; an MS in Health Care Management from the University of New Orleans, and a Doctor of Health Administration from Virginia University of Lynchburg. Dr. Chalk serves as a Visiting Adjunct Professor at the Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences Department.  She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

‍

I have innovated a fair bit of ecological justice curriculum, including the Just Transition Framework. I also have developed tools for both community organizing and strategic planning around capacity, resilience, and more transformative approaches to goals (Resilience Based Organizing, etc.).

Gopal is a co-founder of Movement Generation: Justice and Ecology Project and has been teaching, training, and facilitating community visioning, political education, direct action, strategic planning and more using Ecological Systems Thinking, Resilience and Just Transition as core frameworks. He has co-developed curriculum, facilitation tools and movement frameworks that are used broadly by racial, economic, and ecological justice movements. Gopal also teaching Climate Justice related courses at San Francisco State University and Antioch University in Los Angeles.

I have experience in mobilizing community to be involved in the city council, community empowerment and community leadership.

Raul Lazaro is with the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project. He has been part of community lead planning since the age 15, including as part of the massive strive of La union de campesinos in Salinas Ca.

‍

My facilitation approach is rooted in inclusive, community-driven engagement that prioritizes relationship-building, equity, and actionable outcomes. I create collaborative, participatory spaces where diverse voices—especially those from historically underrepresented communities—can shape climate resilience and sustainability solutions.I use popular education, participatory action research (PAR), and restorative justice practices to ensure facilitation is both empowering and transformative. My work often incorporates scenario-based exercises, consensus-building techniques, and storytelling to bridge technical knowledge with lived experiences.I have experience facilitating with local governments, school districts, nonprofits, businesses, and grassroots organizations, working at the intersection of climate action, environmental justice, sustainability, and DEIA. My expertise extends to climate adaptation planning, green workforce development, agri-voltaics, and climate tech. Additionally, I integrate mental wellness and trauma-informed practices to address burnout and resilience in leadership.I tailor facilitation to each audience, whether guiding policy discussions, community-based planning, or cross-sector collaborations. My goal is to foster equitable climate solutions that are data-informed, culturally relevant, and centered on long-term sustainability.

NJ Mvondo is a social entrepreneur, climate resilience planner, and DEIA practitioner with extensive experience in community-driven planning, stakeholder engagement, and equity-focused facilitation. As Chair of the Yolo County Climate Action Commission and an advisor to local and regional initiatives, NJ specializes in bridging science, policy, and lived experience to create inclusive, action-oriented sustainability solutions. Her approach integrates participatory action research, restorative justice, and systems mapping to ensure that historically excluded communities shape climate adaptation and resilience strategies.

Relational, Creative, Grounded in the theory and practices of Popular Education, Participatory Action Research and Theatre of the Oppressed

Levana develops strategic methodology, curriculum, training and research projects to support movement building and popular education. Over the last 25 years she has trained and facilitated thousands of children, youth and adults to support work for climate justice, migrant rights, racial justice and Indigenous sovereignty.

She has co-founded multiple organizations and projects dedicated to community-driven change, locally, nationally and internationally including UNEP's TUNZA Youth Advisory Council, the White Noise Collective, Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Youth Alliance, Bay Area Solidarity Action Team, the Ruckus Art Corps and PFCC. She was the Education Coordinator for Rainforest Action Network, Participatory Action Researcher with Youth In Focus and Training Coordinator for Movement Strategy Center. After working with the Paulo Freire Institute in São Paulo, she dedicated herself to making the theories and practices of Popular Education and Theatre of the Oppressed accessible to organizers, educators, researchers, and designers in the US. In addition to co-coordinating Partners for Collaborative Change, she can be found making giant puppets, gardening, or drumming. Both her Bachelors and Masters degrees are in Education for Social Justice.

‍