What is a Regional Coordinator?
With TCI’s coast-to-coast reach, one of the most important factors in our mission is keeping in touch with local communities. How do we do that? Regional Coordinators! Since you may be hearing from them more often, we thought it’d be great to introduce them!
The role of a Regional Coordinator is to support the mission of TCI by serving as a point-of-contact and resource for youth and organizations across their entire region. Regional Coordinators connect directly with educators and youth to support established programs and new initiatives related to climate action. They build relationships with local organizations, engage directly with youth leaders, and amplify the grassroots environmental movements taking place in their region.
Maria Claudia Schubert-Fontes: Eastern US Coordinator
Hello! My name is Maria Claudia Schubert-Fontes and I am TCI’s East Coast Regional Coordinator. I am based in Miami, Florida where I was raised for most of my life. I grew up exploring the beautiful natural landscapes of the area and became actively engaged in the climate movement in an effort to protect the city I call home.
I had the pleasure of working in place-based, experiential education for a number of years before joining the TCI team and I know the impact that project collaboration and community dialogue can have on climate leaders. I am incredibly excited at the prospect of expanding our network of leaders in the coming years!
Region: Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine
Contact: mariaclaudia@theclimateinitiative.org
Stephanie Rivas: Western US Coordinator
Hello TCI community members! My name is Stephanie Rivas, the California Regional Coordinator for TCI. Although I am in California, I also oversee Arizona, Nevada, Hawai’i, American Samoa, Guam, the Republic of Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.
As Regional Coordinator, I work to support each of our three pillars– educate, empower, and activate. I connect with educators and youth throughout my region to bring interdisciplinary climate education to their communities, build relationships with local organizations looking to engage with youth leaders, and work directly with our Youth Ambassadors to amplify initiatives and grassroots environmental movements taking place in their region.
My role is especially meaningful because my mind and voice weren’t fully activated until I reached college. It was while I was away from home that I was gaining instrumental knowledge and tools that could have served me much sooner. Had I been equipped with the skillset earlier I could have done much more to advocate for my community. Hence, it is because of this experience that I deeply value the importance of educating, empowering, and activating today’s youth to become leaders and real change-makers in their communities.
Region: California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawai’i, American Samoa, Guam, the Republic of Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia
Contact: stephanie@theclimateinitiative.org
Caitlin Neal – Jones: Central US Coordinator
Hello, and welcome to the TCI community! My name is Caitlin Neal-Jones, and I serve as the TCI Regional Coordinator for Louisiana. I grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee on the North Carolina border, where I developed an appreciation for the beauty and fragility of our planet’s natural resources. I fell in love with Louisiana during my AmeriCorps service year as a volunteer coordinator at Lafayette Habitat for Humanity, and I’ve been fortunate to call Louisiana my permanent home since 2016.
Before joining TCI, I spent almost a decade working in clinical mental health, career counseling, and school counseling. During that time, I discovered that my vocational passion lies in helping others develop their talents and abilities and achieve their life goals. I’m thrilled that my role at TCI allows me to continue to assist youth in bringing their visions for a better world to fruition.
Region: Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio
Contact: caitlin@theclimateinitiative.org