Marisa Villarreal

Born into a large, multicultural Mexican American family in Los Angeles, Marisa Villarreal (she/her) grew up surrounded by matriarchs who nurtured community through family, spirituality, and food. Shaped by these women, she sees herself as a nurturer, connector and cross pollinator, working to bring more heart, joy, and spiritual/ancestral practices into the climate movement (and revolution). For over 15 years, Marisa has helped build and manage intersectional programs for organizations that aspire towards climate resilience, equity, and social justice. In her day job, Marisa works as a Program Director at GRID Alternatives, an organization advancing economic and environmental justice through renewable energy jobs and technology. The work that calls most to her soul is designing and facilitating spaces, like the Jam, for transformation, healing, dreaming, and play. She’s called Oakland her home for the past 11 years, where she finds joy through cooking big delicious meals with and for her friends, surfing, and dance parties.