Yuridiana Pantoja graduated from California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) with a degree in Public Administration. She started her career in local government through a fellowship at the City of Bakersfield’s Water Resources Department, where she learned about California’s complex water issues through the lens of the Kern River. She then joined Yolo County’s Sustainability Division as a CivicSpark Fellow, helping finalize and adopt the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). She also developed and launched the Yolo Energy Partnership, a program focused on providing residents with free weatherization kits and home energy assessments. Currently, Yuridiana continues her work with Yolo County as an Associate Administrative Services Analyst. In her free time, she enjoys exploring California’s native plants through hiking and volunteering, and she practices fiber arts.