As a Sʰamala Chumash person, Jessica McCool (she/her) is deeply connected to her ancestral homelands in alaxulapu, also known as Santa Ynez. Jessica believes it is our collective responsibility to be stewards of the land, tending to and living in reciprocity with the Earth and all living things. You will often find her working in her garden, hiking in the mountains, learning the Sʰamala language, or playing guitar. She is passionate about nurturing her connection with her culture and community. She holds a BA in Sociology with minors in Environmental Studies and Italian Studies from Chapman University and currently works for the California Strategic Growth Council as a Resilient Community Associate Planner for the Community Resilience Centers Program. In this role, she focuses on grant program development and leads the team’s communications and engagement efforts, with the goal of advancing climate and racial equity throughout California. She attributes the strength and resilience she has cultivated to her family – past, present, and future.