Environmental Justice is at the heart of addressing the climate crisis. In Wisconsin, Latine communities are often at the brunt of environmental impact. They face disproportionate effects from energy burden, health issues, and environmental racism. Despite these challenges, Latine leaders pave the way for equitable climate solutions. To close out National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Wisconsin Energy Institute will welcome a panel of experts and community leaders to discuss strategies for supporting these vulnerable communities. We invite you to join us on October 15th to promote a more sustainable and inclusive future!
This Forward in Energy Forum is presented in collaboration with the UW–Madison Latine Cultural Center's Latine Heritage Month and as part of the 2024 Wisconsin Science Festival. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 15 at 4:30 p.m. CT both in-person at the Wisconsin Energy Institute and online via Zoom Webinar. Registration is recommended for all and required for online attendance.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a barrier free campus and is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services, and activities. If you need an accommodation for this event please let us know by emailing outreach@energy.wisc.edu or calling 608-890-0946. Requests made with less than 3 weeks’ notice will be honored when possible.
Moderator
Justice Castañeda
Justice Castañeda is Ph.D. Candidate in Urban and Regional Planning and the Executive Director of Common Wealth Development. An educator and economic development specialist, Justice’s professional and academic work explores the intersections of housing policy, economic development and community violence, looking at the role these intersections play in educational & life outcomes for youth who have experienced traumatic events in early childhood and adolescence.
Castañeda completed his undergraduate work at UC San Diego, a Master of Arts in Policy, Organization and Leadership Studies from the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University, and earned his Masters of City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he focused on housing policy, community & economic development before accepting a fellowship with the Center for Health and Communities at the University of California, San Francisco medical campus. A Madison, WI native, his career began in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he spent 8 years before being honorably discharged.
Panelists
Mario Garcia Sierra
Madison Gas and Electric
Mario Garcia Sierra has been with Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) since 2012. Throughout his tenure, he has spearheaded community partnerships and collaborations to address the needs of MGE’s increasingly diverse customer base. In 2022, he was appointed Director of Residential and Community Services, an area dedicated to promoting energy efficiency and conservation within the community. Prior to joining MGE, Mario worked at Centro Hispano of Dane County from 2008 to 2012. Later he served on the organization’s Board of Directors from 2014 to 2020. He started his economics studies in Guatemala City. He has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and applied economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master's degree in Sustainable Management from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Victor Niño
EcoBalance Technologies
Victor G. Niño, Ph.D. PE is the founder of EcoBalance Technologies, a global engineering firm implementing technologies reducing carbon emissions in buildings, and communities. He holds both a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Victor has more than 20 years of industrial experience in the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) field. He is a member of ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers) and currently serving as the Government Affairs Committee Chair of the ASHRAE Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chapter. Victor teaches HVAC Fundamentals at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Continuous Education program.
Cristina Carvajal
Wisconsin EcoLatinos
Cristina Carvajal, a passionate advocate for environmental justice, is the founder and Executive Director of Wisconsin EcoLatinos. Cristina's diverse background in Engineering and strong commitment have led her to spearhead initiatives on environmental conservation, sustainability, and addressing environmental hazards. She is a member of the Sustainable Madison Committee and was formerly part of the Lake Monona Waterfront Ad-hoc Committee and the Fitchburg Sustainability Plan Advisory Committee. In recognition of her significant contributions, Cristina was named one of Wisconsin's 40 most influential Latino leaders by Madison 365 in 2023, and she received the Live Forward Award from Sustain Dane.
Theresa Delgadillo
Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor, English and Chican@/Latin@ Studies, UW–Madison
Theresa Delgadillo is a scholar of Chicanx and Latinx literatures and cultures, including the hemispheric and transnational dimensions of these. Founder of the online publication MUJERES TALK in 2010, Delgadillo led the Editorial Board of this site in expanding its mission and renaming in 2017 to LATINX TALK (https://latinxtalk.org). Delgadillo has participated in or led efforts to create Latinx studies curriculums at four universities. She has led or participated in numerous professional collaborations, including a recent co-edited volume. Three key areas of research and publication for her have been: 1) the intersection of gender, race/ethnicity, religion, and spirituality 2) Latinxs in the Midwest and 3) Black/Afro-Latinidad, diaspora, and borderlands in the film and literature of the Americas. Delgadillo teaches and advises undergraduate and graduate students in both literary and interdisciplinary studies. She is active in service to her department, college, and university to advance the mission of providing an excellent education to all students. Away from work, Delgadillo enjoys getting outdoors as much as possible for a walk, bicycle ride, or hike, to appreciate the diversity of the natural world. She is passionate about diversifying the academy!
