Leadership

The People Behind TerraFuture

TerraFuture's work is driven by a leadership team that brings together expertise in environmental science, data analytics, community organizing, and public policy. Our leaders share a commitment to evidence-based action, community partnership, and organizational transparency.

Executive Leadership

Dr. Elena Vasquez, Executive Director

Dr. Vasquez co-founded TerraFuture in 2019 after a decade of research on urban environmental health at the University of the Cascades. Her academic work on heat vulnerability mapping and environmental justice indicators directly informed TerraFuture's data-driven approach. Under her leadership, TerraFuture has grown from a three-neighborhood pilot to a four-district organization serving 47 communities.

Elena holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University and a B.S. in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin. She serves on the Regional Environmental Justice Advisory Council and was named to the National Environmental Leadership 40 Under 40 list in 2024.

James Okoye, Chief Data Officer

James leads TerraFuture's data infrastructure, open data platform, and environmental monitoring network. Before joining TerraFuture in 2020, he spent eight years in data engineering roles at two environmental technology firms, building sensor networks and analytical platforms for air quality, water quality, and energy monitoring.

James oversees a team of six data analysts and engineers who maintain TerraFuture's network of 140 environmental sensors, manage the open data dashboard, and produce the analytical reports that underpin the organization's advocacy campaigns. He holds an M.S. in Data Science from Georgia Tech and a B.A. in Mathematics from Howard University.

Alma Rivera, Community Director

Alma directs TerraFuture's community engagement, garden programs, and resident leadership development. A lifelong resident of the North District, Alma was one of the founding members of TerraFuture's first community garden and served as a volunteer garden steward for two years before joining the staff in 2021.

Her deep roots in the communities TerraFuture serves give her an unmatched understanding of resident priorities, neighborhood dynamics, and the practical challenges of community-based environmental work. Alma manages a team of 14 community organizers and garden coordinators and oversees relationships with 47 neighborhood partner organizations.

Dr. Michael Park, Policy Director

Michael leads TerraFuture's policy research, legislative advocacy, and coalition-building efforts. He previously served as a policy analyst at a national environmental advocacy organization and as a legislative aide focused on energy and climate policy at the state level.

Michael's team develops policy briefs, prepares testimony, coordinates the Regional Climate Action Coalition, and manages TerraFuture's relationships with elected officials and government agencies across four municipalities. He holds a J.D. from Yale Law School and a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA.

Board of Directors

TerraFuture is governed by a Board of Directors composed of community leaders, subject-matter experts, and organizational stewards who provide strategic oversight, fiduciary accountability, and connections to the broader environmental and civic landscape.

• Rosa Chen, Board Chair -- Former City Councilmember, District 4; Urban planning consultant
• Dr. David Whitfield -- Professor of Environmental Engineering, State University; Stormwater and green infrastructure researcher
• Patricia Morales -- Executive Director, Eastside Neighborhood Alliance; Community organizing leader
• Kwame Asante -- Partner, Greenlight Ventures; Impact investing and social enterprise advisor
• Dr. Sarah Kim -- Public health researcher specializing in environmental health disparities
• Rev. Marcus Thompson -- Senior Pastor, Unity Community Church; Environmental justice advocate
• Angela Torres -- CFO, Regional Electric Cooperative; Energy finance and utility regulation expert
• Robert Nakamura -- Retired school superintendent; Youth education and workforce development advisor

The board meets quarterly, with committee meetings on finance, governance, and program oversight held monthly. Board members serve three-year terms and may be reappointed once. All board meetings are open to the public, and meeting minutes are published on TerraFuture's website within 14 days.

Contact Leadership

For inquiries directed to TerraFuture's leadership team, please email leadership@terrafuture.org. Media requests should be directed to press@terrafuture.org.