Palmira Henriquez
I have been working with SERI since 2008 as a Promotora, and I love working with the community on environmental health issues. I am currently the Program Manager for our home visit program. Each day I work with families to make their home environment safer and healthier. I also oversee our volunteer program and coordinate our Promotora Certificate Program. I have a Community Health Advisor Certificate from Pima Community College, in Tucson, AZ and a Business Administration Certificate and Accounting Certificate from the Instituto Tecnológico del Mar in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico. I have an Urban Forestry Certificate from the Tucson Botanical Gardens and was trained on the installation of rainwater harvesting passive systems by Ethos Rainwater Harvesting.
Flor Sandoval
I’ve been with SERI since 2009 when I started as a volunteer. I’m now the Program Director and oversee the day-to-day operations of SERI. I currently manage our Low-Income Rainwater Harvesting Program, our Pollution Prevention Program for Small Businesses in partnership with the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona, and Project Harvest a joint project with the SWES College of Agriculture and Life Sciences also at the University of Arizona, in which I’m a co-project investigator. I enjoy working with the community in creating a sustainable future together.
Theresa Foley
I am the SERI Climate Science Specialist. Climate change is already occurring in Tucson, bringing higher temperatures and the risk of water scarcity in an already arid climate. SERI seeks to provide information for the mitigation of climate change, especially in the underserved community of south metropolitan Tucson. My collaboration with SERI began in 2008, when I was awarded a NASA Space Grant to study air pollution in south metropolitan Tucson. After earning a PhD in Atmospheric Science from the University of Arizona in 2012, I was awarded a two year fellowship with the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, where I used a geographic information system to verify the accuracy of weather forecasting. I have a BS in Chemistry from Northeastern Illinois, and a BS in Biology from De Paul University. Before returning to graduate school, I worked for ten years with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as an atmospheric chemist. I also worked as the Landfill Specialist for the City of Janesville, Wisconsin and did consulting work for the Lake Michigan Air Directors' Consortium
Armida Boneo
I am an Environmental Health Promotora. Prior to joining SERI, I worked for the Amphitheater School District. My work with the District began in 1992. My first position was working as a Special Education Assistant, followed by my classroom assistance as a Bilingual Aide. My final position was as a Student/Family Advocate that lasted 20 years.
Imelda Cortez
I worked at SERI as a volunteer in 2008 visiting mechanic, paint, and body shops to encourage these business owners to be more conscientious about taking care of our environment by recycling any scrap, waste or oil from the cars. Now I am an employee, I love this job because it gives me the opportunity to help and serve my community what is my passion. Through this program I have the opportunity to provide information about programs regarding health, the environment and a higher quality life style. I have a certificate of business administration from the technological bachillerato from Cananea, Sonora. I have a Community Health Advisory certificate from Pima Community College. I am the recipient of a health counselor certificate and a childcare provider certificate both provided by Pima Community College, and a Certification of Business from Eller College of the University of Arizona and global warming training from the University of Arizona.
Jacobo Sandoval
My name is Jacobo Sandoval, I began working at SERI as a volunteer in 2016, conducting home visits and assisting during passive rainwater harvesting installations. I have been able to participate in different conferences and workshops during my time at SERI. Currently I manage the children’s health and healthy homes program in Nogales, AZ. I like helping the community and contributing to make a change in our community.
Aviva O'Neil
Aviva came to SERI after fifteen years of living and working in Zion National Park. While there she worked on various projects such as sustainability outreach, youth outreach and education, vegetation management and wildlife monitoring. She earned a Bachelor's in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz and a Master's in Agriculture from Iowa State University. She has a passion for community engagement and environmental stewardship. She has also been an organic farmer and operated her own small farm business and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) for 6 years.
Hilda Cortez
Hilda Cortez has been working with SERI since April 2018 as an Environmental Health Promotora. She works mainly with the rainwater harvesting program helping families take care of the environment outside of their homes. Prior to working with SERI she is a student at the University of Arizona majoring in Photography and minoring in Spanish. Helping the community and making our environment a more suitable space is something she enjoys doing.
Rachel Spitz
Rachel Spitz is the Communications Specialist at SERI. She enjoys promoting and educating the public on programs and projects that support community health, the environment, and sustainable living. Rachel researches, strategizes, produces, and executes internal and external communications for SERI in both traditional and online mediums. Through various communications she helps foster relationships with partners in the community. Rachel has a B.A. in Communication and a minor in Photography from the University of Arizona with 3+ years of experience in communications and marketing. She is currently a board member of Ad 2 Tucson, an affiliate of the American Advertising Association.