If one word can describe Manuela Zamora, it is energy. It helped her build the climate education nonprofit, NY Sun Works, which creates hydroponic farming classrooms, teaching students how to grow plants and crops in nutrient-rich water rather than soil. The nonprofit has grown rapidly in recent years, fueled by rising interest in sustainability and hands-on science education, but also Zamora's experience and emphasis on partnerships.
"This is an excellent way to talk about sustainability science," she said. Students who may be future climate leaders are introduced to"fantastic new technology, which is not only efficient, but also so appealing to look at, to touch. It's like going to a museum, and doing so, it really fits perfectly well with the hands-on approach, project-based education."
Zamora's leadership skills started in Bolivia, her native country. Her first job was in the Office of the First Lady of Bolivia before founding the nonprofit, Fundacion Carmen, creating the project El Dorado: The Route of Fair Trade, which provided business training for low-income women artisans throughout the country.
This gave her the building blocks needed for NY Sun Works. She learned about the environmental impact industrialized nations have on developing nations' resources, and saw what happens when NGOs come to countries like Bolivia, without taking the time to research or understand the communities.
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