Welcome Valentina to Sweet Water!

Are you originally from Wisconsin?

No, I am originally from Mexico City but moved around a lot growing up. I lived in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida before deciding to pursue my bachelors degree in Oregon. My parents moved to the greater Milwaukee area during my time in college and I just loved coming to visit. Now that I have graduated, I am looking forward to spending time here, experiencing all the seasons, going to the lake, and getting to know Wisconsin.  

How did you learn about Sweet Water?

After moving here, I reached out to several environmentally driven organizations to find ways to get involved in the community. I came across Sweet Water and was just amazed at the variety of programs they offered and their commitment to educating the public on the importance of clean stormwater. After meeting with the team, I joined as a volunteer and applied for the AmeriCorps role when the opportunity presented itself.  

Can you describe your professional background?

I graduated from Pacific University in May 2025 with a BA in Applied Sustainability and International Studies. Throughout my studies, I worked at my school’s Center for a Sustainable Society where I organized and led projects for a few of our teams–default veg, waste reducing arts and crafts, and the campus free store. Over the 2024 summer break, I also completed an internship at the Mitchell Park Domes as a Bilingual Education Intern where I assisted the Education Center with field trips, events, and monitoring the space. As for research, I completed my senior capstone project on green infrastructure, particularly green roofs and walls, and analyzed how they work, their benefits, and how they have been applied in different regions of the world to understand how we can implement these systems elsewhere. I am excited to continue using my skills as well as developing new ones, and applying them in this new opportunity with Sweet Water. 

Where did your interest in water come from?

I grew up going to the beach a lot. Not only was it a fun relaxing time for us all but it allowed me to connect with nature and its wildlife. However, as the years went by, I saw more commercial development and garbage laying around. It was entirely frustrating and depressing to see play out, however, it also inspired me to want to make a change and keep our water and land clean. Water is something that unites us all and is essential to life, therefore, it is crucial that we protect and respect it. I hope to be able to spark that same passion and care for our waterways throughout the communities along the Milwaukee River Basin and help keep our rivers and lakes clean. 

What do you do when you aren’t at work?

Outside of work I like to stay active, tap into my creativity, and go on adventures. I love sports, animals, music, arts and crafts, and travel. I played college tennis and therefore try to play whenever I get the chance. I also play the French Horn in a community band and volunteer at my local animal shelter.