David Sanabria, Program Manager
David Sanabria worked with SERI in the past through Smartscape and is now SERI’s Program Manager for the Limited-Income Rainwater Harvesting Program. David manages all aspects of the program in order to help families with fewer resources have green infrastructure at their homes. With a passion for environmental justice and the Sonoran Desert landscape David moved to Tucson in 2013. He spent two years volunteering with Primavera Foundation as their Garden Coordinator in south Tucson and has worked with Harlow Gardens as a designer. In 2019, he received his master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Arizona. David assisted in a Rainwater Harvesting Low-Income Evaluation and Neighborhood Scale Stormwater Harvesting study for Tucson Water.
Flor Sandoval, Program Director
Flor Sandoval started as a volunteer at SERI in 2009 and is now the Program Director. Flor oversees the day-to-day operations of SERI programs and projects. She enjoys working with the community in creating a sustainable and safe place for all. Flor has a B.S. in Busines Administration in Marketing and a minor in Global Business through the University of Arizona Eller College of Management. During her time at SERI she has received multiple trainings from various organizations including but not limited to HUD, EPA, OSHA. She also has training on rainwater harvesting from Ethos.
Imelda Cortez, Environmental Health Promotora
Imelda Cortez started as a volunteer at SERI in 2008 by visiting small business owners to promote occupational health and safety. Now as the Environmental Health Promotora, Imelda gets to provide education and program services to support community health, the environment and a higher quality of life. She has a Business Administration certificate from Centro de Bachillerato Tecnológico Industrial and the University of Arizona Eller College of Management. During her time at SERI she has received certificates as a Community Health Advisor and Child Care Provider from Pima Community College and received been training on global warming from the University of Arizona.
Palmira Henriquez, Senior Environmental Health Promotora
Palmira Henriquez has been working with SERI since 2008 as a Environmental Health Promotora and enjoys working with the community on addressing environmental health issues. Each day Palmira works with families to make their home environment safe and healthy. She has a Business Administration certificate and Accounting Certificate from the Instituto Tecnológico del Mar. During her time at SERI Palmira has received certificates as a Community Health Advisor from Pima Community College, Urban Forestry from Tucson Botanical Gardens and training on rainwater harvesting from Ethos.
Rachel Spitz, Communication Specialist
Rachel Spitz started as a volunteer at SERI and is now the Communication Specialist. Rachel enjoys promoting SERI’s initiatives aimed to protect the environment, improve community health and improve the lives of limited income and minority communities. On a daily basis she gets to connect with partners, perform public outreach, strategize and design promotional assets, provide education and more for SERI. Rachel has a B.A. in Communication and a minor in Photography from the University of Arizona. Since 2016 she has been involved in advertising, marketing and professional organizations including American Advertising Association Tucson Chapter, American Marketing Association and Tucson Young Professionals.
Theresa Foley, Climate Science Specialist
Theresa Foley has been working with SERI since 2008 when she was awarded a NASA Space Grant to study air pollution in south metropolitan Tucson. Since then Theresa provides research for SERI to help mitigate climate change, especially in the underserved community of southwest. Theresa has a PhD in Atmospheric Science from the University of Arizona, a B.S. in Chemistry from Northeastern Illinois and a B.S. in Biology from De Paul University. She was awarded a fellowship with the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) where she used GIS to verify the accuracy of weather forecasting in New Mexico. For 10 years she worked at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as an Atmospheric Chemist and as a Landfill Specialist. She also did consulting work for the Lake Michigan Air Directors' Consortium.