Center for Diversity & the Environment
The Center for Diversity & the Environment racially and ethnically diversifies the U.S. environmental movement by developing leaders, diversifying institutions, and building community.
We envision a healthy, flourishing planet and society that sustainably and equitably meets the needs of all its citizens through an environmental movement that is diverse, inclusive, successful, vibrant, and relevant, taking into account the needs, perspectives, and voices of all.
Marcelo Bonta, Executive Director
Marcelo speaks and writes passionately about his broad vision of diversifying the environmental movement to audiences around the U.S. He is the founder of the Environmental Professionals of Color and the Center for Diversity & the Environment, where he works with leaders and environmental institutions to effectively include diversity, equity, and inclusion in the foundation of their work. Marcelo serves on the Climate Access Advisory Council, Verde Outreach Advisors, Saving Land Magazine's Editorial Board, and Diverse Partners for Environmental Progress National Council, and Multnomah County Advisory Committee on Sustainability & Innovation. He is also an Environmental Leadership Program Senior Fellow and a TogetherGreen Conservation Fellow. His work has been featured in The New York Times, High Country News,The Oregonian, Colors NW, Sustainlane.com, Saving Land Magazine, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education Magazine, Sustainable Industries Magazine, and homes+gardens northwest magazine.
Growing up the son of socially-conscious parents who were active with the United Farm Workers in the early '70s, the Filipino community in Sacramento, and the Civil Rights Movement, Marcelo's childhood role-models were, believe it or not, Marty Stouffer (of Wild America fame), Diego Maradona (of Argentina soccer fame), and MC Hammer (of "U Can't Touch This" fame). Although Marcelo's dreams of being an MC Hammer back up dancer and becoming the best soccer player in the world has somewhat fizzled away over the years, his affinity for living with wildlife and protecting nature has continued. Marcelo previously worked on biodiversity conservation, land use, and policy issues for numerous organizations, including Defenders of Wildlife, the National Park Service, and Massachusetts Audubon Society. Marcelo received his master's degree from Tufts University and bachelor's degree from Yale University. He is a published author in the book, Diversity and the Future of the U.S. Environmental Movement, the Land Trust Alliance's Special 25th Anniversary Issue, Grist Magazine, and the journal, Conservation Biology.
Marcelo's inspiration in making the world a better place lies in his two daughters Stella and Kyra. Their laughter, joy, honesty and multi-racial make-up provide him with hope that the world can and will be a better and more inclusive place by the time they are adults.
Queta González, Program Director
Queta believes that our differences can make us stronger. A commitment to family, community, learning, service and compassion underpin her actions and activities. Her work in social, environmental and economic justice began in her youth and continued to grow ever since.
Queta has had the privilege of working with teams around the world developing and implementing diversity strategies. A seasoned professional, she has been training, facilitating, coaching and working with people in Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations, government, and small businesses for over 20 years. She has developed and led trainings across a myriad of cultures and worked in partnership with a variety of organizations.
She is the program director at Center for Diversity & the Environment (CDE) where her work includes design and delivery of strategic engagement sessions, facilitation of the Environment 2042 Leadership Program, Exploring Power Privilege and Tools for Change Retreats, Equity Audits, leadership coaching and organizational consulting. She is currently designing and developing a learning institute for people of color in the environmental movement.
She is an adventurer who follows her passions. Due to this inclination, her experiences run wide and deep and include: assistant curator of an invertebrate museum, experiential and wilderness-based educator, recreation planner, advocate and educator with in-risk youth, gang rescue team, adolescent health care advocate and educator, food security advocate, champion of early childhood education, trainer, and a variety of leadership roles. Threads that connect her experiences include dedication to the advancement of diverse, inclusive and equitable environments and her deep connection to the rivers, land and the wilderness.
Influenced by her Mom, Queta has been volunteering (and doing weekly chores) since elementary school and currently volunteers as a board member with Confluence Environmental Center in various episodic activities. She is eternally grateful for and enriched by supportive and loving family and friends and lives in Portland with her amazing partner and bossy cat.
Ernie Guerrero, Operations Assistant
Board of Directors
Kristi Davis, Executive Director, California Wilderness Coalition
Tony DeFalco (Interim Chair), Living Cully Coordinator, Verde
Neal Desai, Pacific Region Associate Director, National Parks Conservation Association
Joshua Feldmark, Director, Office of Environmental Sustainability, Howard County, Maryland
Stacie Gilmore (Treasurer), Executive Director, Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK)
Roman Orona, Independent Consultant
Charles F. Sams, President/CEO, Indian Country Conservancy and Planner, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation