Alejandro Castelan, Marin Clean Energy

Alejandro Castelan is currently the Customer Programs Manager for Marin Clean Energy (MCE). In this capacity, Alejandro oversees the administration of MCE's energy efficiency and electrification programs for single-family residential homes throughout MCE's territory. His background, education, and experiences revolve around advancing environmental and social justice, as well as energy equity, through the design and implementation of impactful programs focused on sustainability, energy efficiency, and workforce development for Bay Area communities. Alejandro holds a Master of Science degree in Energy Systems Management from the University of San Francisco, along with an undergraduate degree in Political Science from UC Berkeley.

Humberto Castro, UC Berkeley

Humberto Castro is a Senior Planner at UC Berkeley. He holds degrees in architecture and city planning. He has over 15 years of experience in the architecture industry and now as an urban planning consultant. He is currently working on several campus-wide initiatives to make the update campus’ infrastructure and make it more accessible and sustainable. His projects include managing the ADA strategies for campus public space, implementing UC Berkeley’s resilient water strategies and the planning for new academic building throughout the campus park.

He lives in Oakland, California with his wife and his dog “Torta”. 

Lew Feldman, UC Botanical Garden

Dr. Lewis Feldman is the Executive Director of the UC Botanical Garden, one of the most diverse landscapes in the world and home to more than 10,000 types of plants, including many rare and endangered species.  He is also a longtime faculty member of UC Berkeley's Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, where he studies plant and root development.

Marcos Gandara, Community Member

Marcos Gandara is an Oakland resident and has been a member of the Panoramic Hill Association since 2003, including four years as a Board member. Marcos has a BA in Pure Mathematics from the University of California and worked as an Engineering Assistant for the UC Physics Department and at LBNL while earning his undergraduate degree.

Radhika Gundavelli, Rescale

Radhika Gundavelli is an HPC Engineering Manager at Rescale. In her current role, she helps Enterprise customers in several industry sectors (Automotive, Aerospace, Life Sciences, Energy, Climate and Geo Sciences) accelerate innovation by transitioning their simulation workflows to the cloud. Prior to Rescale, Radhika worked in the Automotive sector to improve fuel economy in vehicles using simulation studies. She also has several years of experience in the construction industry and has applied her expertise in computer simulation towards the design of several net-zero and LEED certified buildings. 

Alice La Pierre, Community Member

Alice La Pierre's background is in Building Science and Architecture. She has volunteered with Rebuilding Together East Bay-North (formerly "Christmas in April") beginning in 2009, and served as Board President from 2014-2021. Alice also volunteers with the Oakland Museum of California’s White Elephant Sale, acting as their resident expert in all things geology- and marine life-related. She also bakes birthday and special event cakes and treats for Cake4Kids, a non-profit specializing in bringing uplifting treats to children and young adults in the foster care system. She is a Building Scientist and Energy Efficiency Project Manager with the City of Berkeley.

Gerald Liddle, Rising Sun Center for Opportunity

Gerald Liddle serves as one of Rising Sun's Bay Area Regional Managers for its Climate Careers team.  Originally from Vallejo, CA, he now considers Oakland home.  As Regional Manager, Gerald oversees the recruitment process for the Climate Careers program, which supports low-income youth participants and people of color.  He also supports the implementation and execution of Rising Sun's summer Green House Call Program, which empowers low-income residents to make their homes more safe and sustainable. On the weekends, Gerald loves to ride his motorcycle near Berkeley Lab on Grizzly Peak to see the amazing view.

Shelly Lopez, Oakland Public Education Fund

Shelly Lopez is the Adopt an Oakland School Manager at the Oakland Public Education Fund. She is an experienced youth worker and trainer driven by her passion for education equity. Before joining the Ed Fund, she was an out-of-school time educator with Girls Inc. of Alameda County, where she coordinated programs for students of color using an asset-based mindset and trauma-informed approach to provide youth with tools to reach their full potential. She earned her MS in Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco and BA degrees in Sociology and Communication from UC Davis.

Sarah Moore, City of Berkeley

Sarah Moore is a Sustainability Planner in the City of Berkeley's Office of Energy & Sustainable Development and a Berkeley resident. She works on implementation of Berkeley's Climate Action Plan with a specific focus on incorporating green and sustainable features into buildings and advancing the adoption of electric vehicles as a means of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation.

Beth Roessner, Berkeley Chamber of Commerce

Beth Roessner joined the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce in February of 2020 as Director of Operations and now CEO. Prior to the Chamber, Beth was a licensed insurance agent working for State Farm. She is a Past President of Berkeley Rotary Club and still an active member, serving on its board of directors. She also serves on the Advisory Board for Richmond's free health clinic, Rotacare Richmond, which is part of the family of RotaCare Bay Area's free medical clinics. She has a B.A. in Art History from UMass Amherst and is originally from the East Coast. She's been in the Bay Area residing in El Cerrito since 2012.

Dione Rossiter, Science at Cal

Dione (Dee) Rossiter is a Science Communication, Engagement, and Outreach Specialist who has previously worked with non-profits, universities, government offices, and for-profit businesses to improve their science engagement efforts; this includes creating new and/or improving existing science communication, marketing, education, diversity, and outreach initiatives. Dee is currently the Executive Director for Science at Cal, a program that shares the excitement and relevance of UC Berkeley research with public audiences through lectures, street fairs, festivals, and more. She also works with scientists across campus to build sustainable and impactful science outreach collaborations with community and campus partners. Dee’s previous positions include: Scientific Programs & Outreach Manager at the Carnegie Institution for Science and the Director of the Mass Media Fellowship at the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dee received her bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley and her PhD from UC Santa Cruz, both in Earth & Planetary Sciences.

Sherry Smith, Berkeley Community Scholars

Sherry Smith is the Executive Director of Berkeley Community Scholars (formerly the Berkeley Community Fund), which bridges the opportunity divide for Berkeley youth from lower income families by providing scholarships, connections and other support instrumental to success in college and beyond. An educational professional with more than 35 years' experience, Sherry has focused on school and college admission, financial aid, recruitment, organizational management, organizational change and school to college selection and matriculation. She is especially committed to serving the needs of the underserved, under-resourced and first-generation students navigating transitions from Kindergarten to graduate degrees.

Linda "Diz" Swift, Community Member

Diz Swift is a resident in Berkeley and a neighbor to Berkeley Lab. Diz has a PhD  in geology and has worked internationally in exploration and production. She served as a member of the Berkeley Public Works Commission, is Director of Natural Resources for the League of Women Voters of California and Co-Chair of the League of Women Voters U.S. Climate Interest Group.