Description.
Natalia was born in Chile and moved to Minnesota in 2018. Since she graduated in Audiovisual Communication in Chile, her passion for writing has moved forward in her professional career, navigating through different types of writing to tell a story, such as scripts, literature, and reports. She is convinced a good story can convey inspiration, change, and empathy; this powerful knowledge is important to share with the Latin community in Minnesota.
Edwin Torres is a political strategist with 8+ years in electoral campaigns at local, state, and national levels. Born in El Salvador in at the end of a long civil war, Edwin experienced a lot of hardships growing up and has used those hardships as a motivation to succeed and help others. Edwin became the first person in his family to earn a college degree when he graduated from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. Since then, Edwin has been awarded and recognized by national organizations and elected officials. His DACA story has been featured in various publications including the New York Times.
Currently, Edwin serves as the Political Director for the re-election campaign of Governor Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. Previously, he worked in the Minnesota Department of Health as the COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Director. In 2020, Edwin was the Political Director for Senator Tina Smith’s campaign and in 2019, he served as the National Director of Latino Outreach for Senator Amy Klobuchar’s presidential campaign. Edwin is pursuing his Master’s Degree in Public Policy on a full scholarship at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. He lives in North Minneapolis with his partner Ricardo, and their two dogs Lola and Mochi.
Ally Wilson graduated from the College of Saint Benedict with a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic studies and mathematics. She spent half of the past year volunteering in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico with Centro Infantil de Los Angeles—a preschool that provides free high-quality education to families in need. She spent the other half of the year volunteering in Granada, Nicaragua with Opportunity International Nicaragua—a nonprofit focused on ending poverty through community economic development. Her studies and time volunteering developed her passion for enacting positive social change through education. Today, she looks forward to working with COPAL to provide classes that equip people with the proper tools and information to achieve their goals.
Sasha Lewis-Norelle is a contracted organizer providing support for the Frontline Communities Protection Coalition. As a youth environmental and climate justice activist and organizer, he brings a strong commitment to systemic solutions to the climate crisis and environmental racism.
Sasha grew up in Madison, WI, and moved to the Twin Cities for college. He attended Macalester College, where he studied environmental studies with an emphasis on biology. While attending Macalester, Sasha became involved in environmental activism through the school’s divestment campaign. He then went on to support that campaign through several iterations and varying degrees of success. He also became involved in the Sunrise Movement, and the Movement to stop the Line 3 pipeline.
Over the last four years, Sasha has stayed active and involved in a number of local and national environmental justice fights and has worked to develop the skills and knowledge to be an effective community organizer and advocate.
Ryan Pérez is a Chicago-born Boricua and a cultural community organizer, with an emphasis on engaging young people and people of color in the electoral process. Ryan brings expertise in data management, communications technologies, and strategic field organizing to the work of COPAL, developed through leadership roles in political campaigns and nonprofit organizations. By building a movement of people invested in improving themselves and their communities, Ryan believes firmly that human revolution is possible.
Peter was born in Maryland but has lived in Florida, Colorado, and Oregon and finally landed in Mankato, Minnesota. He completed his degree in Biology in Maryland and had originally thought to become a zookeeper working solely with animals. His life took a turn and he served in the Peace Corps in Perú as an Environmental Specialist working alongside communities to empower themselves to take advantage of their natural resources and work together to promote environmental justice and elevate the environmental conscience. After returning from Perú, he received his Master’s in Conservation Leadership and has worked with various organizations doing land management and ecological restoration. He is excited to be working again in community organizing and working within the human dimensions of the environment. His passion is connecting and empowering the Latinx community to take advantage of their political power and unity to fight for environmental justice and equity in South Central Minnesota.
Siri Vorvick is a University of Minnesota junior studying Spanish and urban studies. She has a passion for understanding and living in cities and thinks it is very important to be involved and committed to community, activism, and social justice. She is just starting her journey of working to fight urban environmental injustice, and being involved with COPAL is her first step towards doing so. In addition to being an intern at COPAL, she also works as a chef.
Rosie grew up in Chicago, IL and attended Oberlin College in Ohio before moving to Minneapolis, MN. As a Spanish and Latin American Studies major, she’s interested in understanding and fighting back against the harm the U.S. has caused to Latin America and its peoples. In her free time, she likes to hike, bike, backpack, and spend time with friends around a campfire.
I was born in Oaxaca, Mexico and came to the United States accompanied by my 1-year-old daughter Karla in 2006 to provide her with a better education. I am so grateful to be part of this great team that is COPAL and thereby serve our entire Latino community.
Mari is a rising senior at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University (CSBSJU) in St. Joseph, Minnesota. She is pursuing a double major in environmental and peace studies with a concentration in Environmental Justice and the Latinx Experience.
On the CSBSJU campus, Mari participates in a variety of organizations. She is the Creative Director for Extending the Link, the social justice documentary group at CSBSJU, and is currently producing their 15th film. She works as the Climate Justice Coordinator for the women’s leadership center on campus, and advocates for a healthier planet through programming, educational materials, and expedition trips
She hopes her internship with COPAL pushes her outside of her comfort zone and tests her Spanish-speaking ability. She is excited to connect with her fellow COPAL employees and nurture long-lasting relationships.
