Sandra earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a Sociology minor from Meredith College. During her studies, she discovered a passion for environmental conservation, which led her to conduct research projects—one on bats in Costa Rica and another on bee populations in Puerto Rico. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sandra served as a Youth Coordinator at Fiesta Cristiana, where she engaged Hispanic/Latine youth in volunteer efforts such as food relief and PPE distribution to underserved communities across Wake County. She also volunteered with Semillas de Unidad, a tutoring program, where she used her bilingual skills to support students and connect with diverse communities during food distribution events. For the past two years, Sandra worked as a Watershed Coordinator at RiverLink, an environmental nonprofit in Asheville. In this role, she contributed to grant-funded watershed restoration projects and educated the community on water quality issues affecting the French Broad River. Sandra found this work particularly rewarding, as it focused on building connections between people and their environment. Overall, Sandra is deeply passionate about promoting sustainability, community wellness, and inclusivity in everything she does—whether through her professional roles or volunteer efforts. In her free time, you can find her crocheting a hat or enjoying a game of volleyball on a sand or grass court!
