A native of Chile, Monica has been a New York City–based organizer, sustainability educator, and ecological designer since 2007. She became an avid gardener as a small child with her grandparents then rekindling her passion for growing food as an adult while living in Southeast Alaska. A bite of her first homegrown lettuce and understanding why it was so delicious, unlike the store-bought variety, led Monica down the rabbit hole, irrevocably altering her life path.

She is committed to improving food systems and advancing environmental justice globally. Monica has dedicated her life to working with diverse and marginalized communities in education and local development in the U.S. and abroad. She has advanced certifications in Permaculture Design and Teaching, specializing in Teaching Permaculture to Children, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Institute of Permaculture for Children (IPEC), Permaculture Institute of North America (PINA), and International Permaculture Convergence Committee (IPCC).