About Vanesa

Vanesa Iniguez serves as SLATE-Z’s Program Manager for the South LA Eco-Lab, an initiative funded by the California Strategic Growth Council’s Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program.  Vanesa leads our efforts to achieve the community’s vision for a socially inclusive, sustainable, and green community that is resilient to climate change. 

Vanesa earned her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Geography from Dartmouth College, and a Master of Sciences in Environment, Politics, and Society from University College London. Her research centers around the intersection of socio-ecological systems, emphasizing environmental justice and access.  

Prior to joining SLATE-Z, Vanesa worked with an environmental consulting firm on the Hybrid and Zero Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP). She assisted in providing access to electric vehicles to address air pollution in California, working with the California Air Resources Board on HVIP vouchers. Vanesa has recently completed her Masters, focusing on food justice efforts in London. Through her volunteer work at food banks, she sees the connections to race and socio-economic status and people’s access to healthy food.  

As a native of South Los Angeles, Vanesa is passionate about addressing environmental justice issues in her community and creating a more sustainable city for all.