Our Team
Carla Claure
Educator, Community Liason
Carla Claure is a Bolivian community leader and environmental advocate based in Alexandria, Virginia. For over four years, she has been part of Defensores de la Cuenca (Defenders of the Watershed) , where she promotes environmental education in low-income and migrant communities. Recognized as a Community Champion by Fairfax County, Carla has dedicated her life to promoting the social and ecological well-being of her community. Her work combines environmental justice, social equity, and neighborhood engagement, inspiring others to care for the earth and build a more sustainable future.
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Laura Cooper Hall
Program Enhancement Coordinator
Laura Cooper Hall brings over a decade of experience in environmental strategy and organizational development to her role as Program Enhancement Coordinator at Defensores de la Cuenca. Since earning her Master of Public Policy in 2017, she has dedicated her career to equitable climate, environment, and conservation work—and has always wanted to bring that expertise home to her community.
Laura has worked with governments and organizations worldwide to design and implement inclusive environmental strategies and has led large-scale conservation programs exceeding $35 million across multiple countries. She grew up in Latin America and is fluent in Spanish, which shaped her deep commitment to working alongside diverse communities fighting for environmental justice.
Laura is passionate about building systems that help organizations and communities thrive. At Defensores de la Cuenca, she is excited to bring her expertise in conservation work back to her community, working in solidarity to build an equitable, safe, and healthy future for all.
David Jochelson
Compliance Officer
David is a seasoned grant writer, manager and evaluator bringing more than 20 years of experience to the organization. He comes from a multicultural background, is a world traveller and loves to learn about new cultures and cuisines. David is an avid outdoorsman and is passionate about protecting the environment. He hopes to further the mission of Defensores de la Cuenca by adding to its funding base and enhancing its reputation as a reliable grantee.
Juan Lazo Bautista
Field Director
Previously, Juan worked with USDA Forest Service supporting partnership development where he led a national program to engage diverse communities in conservation education action projects and increase access to their public lands. Juan also has experience in labor organizing, youth development and immigrant rights work. He is a graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, receiving a B.A in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on environmental sustainability.
Jorge Abraham Lopez Trejo
Programs Director
Abraham was born and raised in northern Mexico and moved to the US when he was a teenager. He has been working to increase access to nature for the Latine/o community of Maryland since 2017. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Education.
Following an internship with the USFW, and over five years of experience as an educator and community coordinator at the National Audubon Society in Baltimore MD, he joins Defensores de la Cuenca to keep expanding nature access and opportunities for the Latine/o community in the Chesapeake watershed. He enjoys using nature to bring people together and believes in the healing power of natural spaces.
Cristal Mejia
Programs Coordinator
Cristal is an outdoor enthusiast with Salvadorian roots. She earned a B.S in Environmental Science from American University. Throughout her academic career, she developed a deep passion for studying water ecosystems, with a particular focus on watershed conservation and coastal health. Her dedication to these critical areas of environmental science is driven by a desire to address the growing challenges of water management and ecological preservation. Cristal has actively engaged in research and fieldwork, gaining hands-on experience in watershed protection, water quality monitoring and community engagement. Her work has inspired her to pursue a Master’s Degree in aquatic ecology and sustainable water management in the near future!
Herlindo Morales
Co-Founder, Agronomist
A climate change professional, certified in the territorial management of forests and watersheds, Morales is an expert in beekeeping and has extensive experience in coffee growing, propagation, and crop maintenance. Morales has a strong passion for the environment and loves being out in nature.
Nancy Morales
Operations Coordinator
Nancy was born and raised in Prince George's County, Maryland. She's always had a passion for helping people, and animals, in any way she can. Since childhood, her dreams for the future always included assisting others - varying from wanting to be a fireman, marine biologist, or perhaps a social worker.
Currently, Nancy is fulfilling her childhood goals in a different way, through working with DDLC, In addition, she is studying for a B.A. in Anthropology. One day, she hopes to earn her PhD. When not working, she enjoys the company of her three cats Salem, Pumpkin, and Michi.
Francis Mullan
Field Coordinator
Francis Mullan is a naturalist, educator, and entomologist. He holds a bachelor's degree in Insect Ecology and Conservation from the University of Delaware and a master's degree in Integrative Biology from Kennesaw State University. For his master's thesis, he studied the effects of climate change and urbanization on native bees (a group of animals with which he is admittedly obsessed).
His greatest passion is opening people's eyes to the beauty and wonder of biodiversity, thus allowing them to revel in the joy that that beauty and wonder bring. Francis is excited to join the Defensores team to help preserve biodiversity and the health of the watershed, both by restoring biodiversity through planting projects and inspiring communities to practice environmental stewardship.
Abel Olivo
Co-Founder & Executive Director
An advocate and policy expert by training, Olivo is excited about his role in bringing more resources and opportunities to the Latino community in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Serves on the Stakeholders Advisory Committee of the Chesapeake Executive Council, a board member of Nature Forward (formerly Audubon Naturalist Society), an alumni from The Ohio State University, and an advocate for a greener, healthier world, Olivo looks to bring more Latin@/es into the environmental space as an education interest, personal experience and career choice.
Lucas Olivo
Community Impact Coordinator
Born and raised in PG county, Lucas has been exploring the outdoors for many years. With the rapidly changing health of our eco systems and the natural world, Lucas feels more than ever that we need to focus on conservation and restoration and thanks to opportunities provided by Defensores de la Cuenca Lucas can help protect the spaces he loves and preserve them for the next generation and beyond.
Marvin Pimentel
Finance Director
I come from an island located in the Caribbean on the same path as the Sun (Dominican Republic). I hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science and have spent over two decades in finance. I discovered my passion for the environment through Defensores de la Cuenca.
As a volunteer, I immersed myself in their programs and activities, igniting a fire within me to protect our planet. Since then, I've been tirelessly working to leave future generations a better world than I inherited. Connecting with nature has become essential to my well-being, fundamentally reshaping my long-term personal perspectives. I believe in living in harmony with our environment and find that every moment spent in nature reinforces my commitment to this cause. This journey has taught me that everyone can make a difference in environmental conservation, regardless of background or profession.
Jesus Angel Ramirez
Seasonal Field Specialist
Jesus currently serves as a Seasonal Field Specialist for Defensores de la
Cuenca. He has volunteered in multiple tree planting events and has helped/worked with DDLC long before he started in this position. He specializes in any field labor like planting trees, watering, and other related tasks. Jesus enjoy working with his hands and would like to own a bakery one day. He's currently a senior in high school.
Sofia Reyes
Community Impact
Coordinator
Sofía was born in the United States, but her cultural heritage stems from El Salvador, a country that fascinates her. She loves exploring El Salvador’s rich history, vibrant culture, and beautiful landscapes, and frequently visits to deepen her connection with her roots. Sofia is proud to serve this year with MD Climate Corps after completing a successful Service year with Maryland's Department of Civic and Innovation.
Sofía’s culture is very important to her and she loves to continuously learn more about it. Her faith is a cornerstone of her life, guiding her actions and inspiring her to be a positive influence in the world.
Sofía is eager to make a positive impact in both her professional endeavors and in serving others.
Svetlana Reyes
Educator, Community Liaison
A passionate admirer of nature and defender of the right to education of constant preparation, with fifteen years of teaching experience in her beloved Guatemala.
Svetlana seeks to share experiences with the Latino community, learn together and hopes that her cross knowledge is transformed into value, into awareness for the care of the watershed, of the life cycle that is gestated, coexists and develops around a healthy watershed.
Gabriela Rivera
Events and Partnership Director
Gabriela Rivera is a seasoned political strategist and advocate with extensive experience leading initiatives at the local, state, and national levels. Most recently, she served as Partnerships Director, where she led the organization’s partnership initiatives across the country. In this role, she was responsible for identifying and cultivating relationships that advanced the protection of voting rights and the promotion of equitable access to democratic participation.
She also brings a deep commitment to environmental advocacy. During her tenure at Moms Clean Air Force, she created and implemented the Ecomadres Program, designed to engage and empower Latinx mothers around critical environmental issues such as climate change, air quality, and toxic exposure. Earlier in her career, Gabriela worked on multiple political campaigns, most notably serving on Hillary for America’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Gabriela is a graduate of the University of California, San Diego where she received a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of San Francisco. She is originally from Mexico but was raised in Southern California.
Carolina Sanabria
Programs Coordinator
Carolina is a passionate advocate for nature and wildlife, a commitment rooted in her Northern
Virginia upbringing and early experiences visiting family in the vibrant tropics of El Beni,
Bolivia. She earned her B.S. in Environmental Science from George Mason University and
previously interned with Defensores de La Cuenca. Currently, Carolina serves on the Board of
Directors for the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance (formerly the Audubon Society of Northern
Virginia). Beyond this, she enjoys contributing to conservation through stream monitoring, tree
planting, and wildlife rehabilitation. Carolina's profound personal commitment to protecting
nature for future generations fuels all her endeavors.
Want to join the team?
We're always looking for passionate people to join the Defensores community. Take a look at our current openings or sign up to volunteer with us.
Board of Directors
Eric Guerrero
President
Eric has a deep seeded love for nature and the outdoors, sparked in his childhood when he began spending time with his family in San LuisPotosi, Mexico. His goal is to help the community interact with the Chesapeake Watershed in a fun and equitable manner and to help Defensores de la Cuenca create lasting memories for the youth of the DMV. It is his long held belief that we must advocate for the conservation of our watersheds and protect them. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve the DMV community and to partner with the fantastic team at Defensores.
Matias Orrego
Treasurer
Matías Orrego is a Senior Environmental Specialist with Maryland Environmental Service who supports program coordination, outreach, and education efforts with Masonville Cove. Matías is also a student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Master of Environmental Studies program with a concentration in Environmental Policy.
He is passionate about environmental education, advocacy, Spanish and Latine bilingual program access, and equitable access to green spaces. His love of nature largely came from time spent growing up with family in Chile, birding, and fishing. Matías intentionally works with community, non-profit, state, and federal partners to design programs with unforgettable experiences for participants and community connections to nature, inspiring stewardship for the next generations while identifying their needs and supporting their interests.
Joseph Toolan
Secretary
Justicia Y Equidad Fund Director at GreenLatinos, where he has led the distribution of $23M to frontline environmental justice communities since 2022. A queer, Latine, indigenous, transracial international adoptee, Joe brings deep experience in environmental advocacy, nonprofit capacity-building, and community engagement.
He serves in leadership roles with Annapolis Pride, the Maryland Commission for LGBTQIA+ Affairs, Defensores de la Cuenca, Adoptees with Guatemalan Roots, and Out for Sustainability. Joe holds a degree in Geographical Sciences from the University of Maryland and a nonprofit management certificate from Georgetown University.
Kaila Cantens
Kaila is dedicated to fighting for environmental and social justice through academia, community organizing and, nonprofit fundraising. She graduated with a Master of Environmental Studies with a concentrationin Environmental Justice from the University of Pennsylvania College of Liberal and Professional Studies in December 2024. Her masters capstone project addresses how DEIJ can increase the capacity for environmental groups to effectively work on environmental justice. A passionate community organizer, Kaila believes building social capital can elevate our collective consciousness to embrace anti-racism and radical love.