Andrea was born in Mexico and moved to the United States at the age of two with her family. She has lived in various parts of Los Angeles County for almost thirty years, so she carries a lifetime of memories that are rooted here. She spent much of her childhood camping with her father in Yosemite National Park and other special places across California. These experiences cultivated a lifelong love for nature from a young age. A passion that would later inspire a career in conservation, though it took several years and a few unexpected turns to fully unfold.
For years, she balanced various entry-level jobs to put herself through college while simultaneously volunteering in her community. One of her earliest volunteer experiences was distributing food and other supplies to those living on Skid Row. Her interest in grassroots activism was sparked during this time and has remained a driving force ever since. She completed her degree in Political Science at California State University, Long Beach and was immediately offered a management position with Nationwide Theatres Corporation, a role she accepted. However, her strong sense of responsibility to her community compelled her to seek out career opportunities that would allow her to give back and make a tangible difference in the places she loves.
Her career path was unclear for a long time. It wasn’t until she began working on the effort to designate the Chuckwalla National Monument and expand Joshua Tree National Park that she found a true path forward. She spent almost three years immersed in the beauty of our deserts, where she learned to advocate for meaningful policy changes. In many ways, this experience combined her love for nature and her love for her community with her desire to create a positive change in the world. It also empowered her with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to continue pursuing a career in conservation while exploring new ways to create a lasting impact.
She is excited to join the Sierra Club as a new Field Organizer for the Los Angeles Chapter where she’ll have the opportunity to contribute to the impactful work of the organization and its members. By sharing her story, she hopes to encourage and empower more people to take an active role in their community, in whatever way feels meaningful to them. While the path may not always be clear, don’t let that stop you from getting involved in the issues that matter most to you. We all have a role in making the world a better place.