C&NN’S DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND THE NATURAL LEADERS NETWORK
Juan Martinez
Exploring our Urban Wild:
The Role of Nature in Technology and Urban Communities
Wednesday, May 27th, 2015 @ Topanga Library
For More Information on Juan:
A National Geographic Explorer, TED Speaker, and a proud product of south central Los Angeles, Juan D. Martinez is C&NN’s Director of Leadership Development and the Natural Leaders Network. His passion to empower youth individuals led him to direct Sierra Club’s first environmental justice youth leadership academy in Los Angeles.
Named by National Geographic as an Emerging Explorer in 2011, Juan was recognized by the National Science Teachers Association’s Multicultural and Equity Committee for his work as a Global Explorer. He represents The North Face as an ambassador for outdoor engagement and his adventures include reaching the Summit of the Grand Teton in 2010 with famed mountain climber Conrad Anker. The documentary film “Love in the Tetons” stars Juan and his compelling journey leading him to the Tetons, and to meeting his wife, Vanessa. The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and was a finalist in the Banff Film Festival.
The Sierra Club Foundation Board elected Juan a member (their youngest ever); he was a 2012 Murie Center Explorer in Residence in Grand Teton National Park; and, he participated in the first TED Youth national conference in New York, and TEDx in Jackson Hole, WY.
Juan dedicates his energy on grassroots campaigns to empower, explore, and create positive change.
"The trees don't judge where you come from or what language you speak, the river won't look at your bank account, and the sun won't look at you any different for walking down a certain road."
— Juan Martinez
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