Zara Negron recently joined the GRID Bay Area team as one of our Clean Mobility Program Coordinators. Read to learn what inspires Zara and what brought her to GRID.
Pronouns: she/ her
How did you come to GRID?: I was born and raised in San Francisco and currently am a graduate student at the University of San Francisco in the Environmental Management Program. Growing up right next to the industrial Bayview district I witnessed first-hand how environmental pollution unjustly and disproportionately impacts communities of color. GRID came on my radar while I was working as a policy fellow for San Jose Clean Energy. During my time there I was conducting research on equitable energy programs in the Bay Area and came across all the amazing programs and work GRID does on equity. In my graduate program, I focus on policies that ensure an equitable transition to clean renewable energy. When I discovered that GRID also focuses on clean mobility, I knew I had to apply!
What is your favorite part of what you do at GRID?: I love being a part of the clean mobility movement, as it is relatively new. Most importantly, I love supporting work that ensures low-income, disadvantaged, or communities of color are not left behind in the clean energy transition or continue to disproportionately suffer from the impacts of pollution.
What’s one thing GRID is working on now that you’re really excited to see happen this year?: Seeing the adoption of more Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVS) on the road!
Fun fact about you: I am a dog mom to a 6-month old Siberian Husky puppy named Azula!