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.

Marina Barrientos is the Program Director and Web Specialist for CITIZENS’. Marina facilitates Community Science Workshops, which are after school programs designed to promote science and environmental awareness through experimentation and hands-on learning for students in grades K-12. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability and the Environment from Florida International University and an Associate in Arts degree in Environmental Science from Miami Dade College. She also has a background in Network Progamming and uses her computer skills to help create, design, and maintain CITIZENS’ website. Marina is also a former intern with Miami-Dade County’s Office of Resilience. She conducted research and collected data on current trends and developments related to sustainability for the community. Marina is a passionate environmentalist and has been actively volunteering with beach cleanups and park restoration events like Baynanza and International Coastal Cleanup Day, for over 22 years.

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 young kids 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. Heidi has also been working over the last three years with Little River Cooperative, a local farm and plant nursery, managing multiple gardens and assisting at the farm and nursery. She received her BA in Liberal Studies from Florida International University in 2013.

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.