As Executive Director of Citizens for a Better South Florida, Ms. Ziems cultivates community partnerships to develop effective collaborative programming and implements the organization’s mission to provide environmental education to the underserved community of South Florida. Prior to this position, she worked for the Earth Ethics Institute at Miami Dade College as an AmeriCorps VISTA Program Coordinator. She recruited and trained students for civic engagement and experiential learning opportunities related to environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and economic impact. She received her Master of Business Administration from Florida International University and her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Florida School of Natural Resources and Environment, as well as three minors in Mass Communication, Sustainability Studies, and Ethics. While attending the University of Florida, she also conducted research concerning tropical cyclones and received a certificate in Climatology and Meteorology.

Ralph is a Miami native and first generation Cuban-American. He received his Bachelors of Science in Recreation and Masters of Forest Resources and Conservation from the University of Florida. His areas of work have predominantly revolved around ecotourism, natural resource management and experiential education. Ralph has worked on environmental projects in the US, Central America and the Caribbean. Ralph also has over 15 years of experience working with youths in non-formal learning environments. In addition to his bookkeeping services for Citizens, Ralph assists with programs and events as needed.
He continues his work teaching children though now it is mostly yoga and mindfulness practices. Ralph facilitates private and group sessions that involve the restorative arts of Reiki, breathwork, cold exposure, and sound baths. When not working, you can find him exploring the outdoors, reading, listening to music, cooking or working in his garden.

Angie is a Latine daughter of immigrants, and native to Miami, FL. Her work as a writer, community organizer, and cultural worker has been shaped by her commitment to fostering a more just and equitable world for all. She received her Associate in Arts from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2014. Angie has organized across coalitions of grassroots initiatives in the South Florida community, including education equity and social justice.

As the incoming Program Director, Angie leads CITIZENS’ community outreach program. She offers strengths in program development, facilitation, research and power mapping. She is grounded in her vision of an abundant and transformative world as she seeks to continue creating innovative containers for change.

Andreina Zuluaga has an Associate of Arts in Biology from Miami Dade College. With a strong passion for zoology, conservation, environmental sciences, and sustainability, she has actively pursued these interests throughout her academic journey. As former president of the YES! for Environmental Sustainability Club at MDC Kendall, she had the opportunity to lead and contribute to initiatives that promoted sustainability on campus. Additionally, in the summer of 2024, she expanded her knowledge through a research internship at Florida International University (FIU), where she completed an undergraduate research project focused on the species richness of invasive plants in Florida. When she is not immersed in science, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching movies and TV shows, and reading. She is excited to pursue more opportunities in the environmental sciences field and make meaningful contributions to conservation efforts by working with CITIZENS.

Andrea Beceiro is a proud student of The Honors Program at Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture. While initially taking an interest in environmental sustainability from a sociological perspective, she found an avenue in the field of landscape architecture and the world of biodiversity conservation. She is also working with the Friends of the Underline, restoring biodiversity in urban environments under the Metrorail. She serves as President of the YES! For Environmental Sustainability Club at Miami Dade College. Her path to this point has been shaped and inspired by many activities growing up in South Florida including boating, archery, horseback riding, and volleyball, but she credits her love of all things green and her outlook on her future career primarily to her artistic and plant-loving grandparents.

As the Garden Education Specialist for CITIZENS, Heidi Lellelid is training and educating MDCPS faculty and students, as well as volunteers and interns on the many aspects of growing and producing food in our 10B hardiness zone. Heidi is driven to help the community understand that their food does not originate from the grocery store or McDonalds, but comes from the Earth. Heidi has worked over the last ten years with the Earth Ethics Institute managing and overseeing their MDC Campus gardens as well as multiple gardens at MDCPS schools throughout Dade county. While at EEI, she also managed the CROPS program which was a CSA type share of organic fruits and vegetables that students and faculty could purchase at a reduced rate. She received her BA in Liberal Studies from Florida International University in 2013.