meet our team
KEN ALEX
Founder & Senior Advisor, GrizzlyCorps
Director, Project Climate, Center for Law, Energy & the Environment
Ken spent eight years as a Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Jerry Brown, the Director of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, and the Chair of the Strategic Growth Council, focusing on climate, environment, and land use issues.
Before joining the Governor's Office, Ken was the Senior Assistant Attorney General heading the environment section of the California Attorney General’s Office, and the co-head of the Office’s global warming unit. From 2000 to 2006, He led the California Attorney General’s energy task force, investigating price and supply issues related to California’s energy crisis.
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Ken is a graduate of Harvard Law School and holds a B.A. in political theory from the University of California at Santa Cruz.
Tel: 510-590-7763
ken.alex@berkeley.edu
jasmine
curcio
Program Administrator, GrizzlyCorps
Jasmine joined the GrizzlyCorps team in 2022 after serving as a GrizzlyCorps fellow at Pie Ranch. She handles day-to-day administrative operations at GrizzlyCorps, communications & media, data tracking, and assists with fellow support.
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Jasmine graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science and Management. She brings her experience as a fellow in the program and passion for environmental health, community engagement through nonprofit work, and creating sustainable food systems.
At Pie Ranch, Jasmine supported the Cascade Regenerator Program, a program designed to support emerging and underresourced farmers build sustainable land-based businesses. She worked on creating an environmental stewardship plan for the ranch, education and outreach, fire recovery and planning projects, and supporting Pie Ranch’s partnership with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and Land Trust. Jasmine also worked with the Santa Cruz County Environmental Health department to aid in the fire recovery efforts following the devastating CZU Complex Fires of August 2020.
ELIZA MUNGER
Director, GrizzlyCorps
Eliza joined GrizzlyCorps in early 2020 to support in the design, development and launch of the program. In her current role, Eliza provides direction for the operation, strategy and growth of GrizzlyCorps. Eliza additionally provides direct support to our host sites and is the main contact for all prospective partners.
Eliza has worked in the nonprofit sector for the majority of her career in a range of roles, including nonprofit operations and outdoor education. In her previous role, she worked for a youth development nonprofit where she played a key role in advancing capacity building functions while working with staff, AmeriCorps members, external partners, donors, and volunteers to create and grow a sustainable and well-organized community-based organization.
Eliza holds a Bachelor's of Science in Biology from the University of Puget Sound. She is passionate about engaging young adults in service, civic action, and the environment.
tel: (510) 394-4089
Cindy
Pace
Program Coordinator , GrizzlyCorps
Cindy joined the GrizzlyCorps team in 2023 after serving as a GrizzlyCorps fellow at the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains in 2022. She now supports program day-to-day functions, maintains relationships with all fellows, oversees event planning, and facilitates GrizzlyCorps' internal training curriculum.
During her time as a GrizzlyCorps fellow, Cindy conducted local outreach and developed a variety of programming to address Wildland Urban Interface issues impacting communities in Los Angeles. Cindy holds a BS in Sustainability Studies and BA in Political Science/International Affairs from UC Riverside. With a foundation in feminist research paradigms and environmental science, Cindy has dedicated her career to expanding networks of solidarity and coalition building within the climate movement.
From facilitating Climate Cafes in her free time to leading workshops with GrizzlyCorps fellows on zoom, Cindy strives to build healthy communities and cultures of care to usher a more regenerative futures.
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Lily
Elola
Membership & Events Coordinator, GrizzlyCorps
Lily joined GrizzlyCorps in 2024 after serving as a fellow at the Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC). She now oversees fellow recruitment, onboarding, and support while managing program logistics and events.
She holds a B.S. in Environmental Management and Protection from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she assisted with two research projects: one evaluating nitrogen mineralization rates of organic fertilizers to better inform sustainable agricultural practices, and another creating a methodology for evaluating sustainable consumer experiences using eye-tracking and biometric data collection. In spring 2023, Lily received a grant to host the LEAD Scholars Talk Exhibit, an on-campus event showcasing the experiences of black, indigenous, and queer environmental activists and professionals. During her fellowship at HREC, Lily co-developed environmental education programs on the topics of climate resiliency, ecosystem management, and conservation. Her work aims to increase equitable access to natural resources and environmental learning opportunities.
Lily is dedicated to strengthening the relationship between communities and their local natural resources. In her free time, she enjoys taking long walks with her dog, nature journaling, and watercoloring California native flora/fauna.
Smarika Shrestha
Student Administrative Assistant, GrizzlyCorps
Smarika joined the GrizzlyCorps team in Summer 2024 to assist with administrative operations, communications, and media.
Currently a UC Berkeley senior pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture, Smarika has immersed herself in advocating for climate resilience and sustainable practices in community planning and design. Her commitment to creating resilient outdoor environments stems from a deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of thoughtful design to promote sustainable living and community well-being.
During her time at UC Berkeley, Smarika has actively engaged in projects that integrate sustainable design principles into urban landscapes, showcasing her proficiency in ecological planning and community-centric design strategies. She envisions leveraging her expertise as a landscape architect post-graduation to design functional outdoor spaces that not only prioritize environmental sustainability but also enhance the quality of life for communities.