Queta González

CDE’s program will target environmental educators and the broader environmental movement, encompassing environmental justice, conservation, climate change, outdoor recreation, and more. CDE intends to provide relevant leadership development to teams and organizations relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion; strengthen environmental educators’ adaptability to changing demographics, needs, and learning environment; provide additional resource material; improve systems that impact diverse groups; and strengthen the environmental movement.
In an effort to introduce an online interface into their work, CDE is exploring opportunities to extend their Environment 2042 cohort engagement. The E42 cohort cultivates Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) change agents and leaders in the environmental movement. These yearlong cohorts are largely in-person; multi-day retreats and daylong sessions alternating with conference call check-ins. Phase 1 of the project will build on the cohort’s shared base of knowledge and experiences. The first approach to re-engage the cohort will be using short thought-provoking or inspiring videos, followed by webinars or other online discussions. CDE hopes to strengthen EE’s ability to diversify ranks, be more aware when working across difference, and be more relevant to the future of EE. In large part, CDE’s work is to create a strong cadre of EE leaders.

Queta believes that our differences make us stronger. A deep resonance with family, community, learning, service and compassion underpin both her life and work.

Queta González is the Director of the Portland-based Center for Diversity & the Environment (CDE). CDE has been committed to diversifying the environmental movement since 2008. Today nearly 400 alumni representing 250 organizations have graduated from our trainings, with a broader program reach that includes over 3,500 individuals from nearly 300 organizations. CDE’s work focuses on the challenge and opportunity we have before us in our efforts to align the environmental movement with an increasingly multicultural and diverse society.

Queta feels privileged to have worked internationally on development and implementation of equity, diversity & inclusion strategies and trainings. A seasoned professional, she has been facilitating and coaching people in Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations, government, and small businesses for over twenty years. She has developed and delivered trainings across a myriad of cultures and worked in partnership with a variety of organizations.

She is an adventurer who follows her passions. Her experiences run wide and deep, amounting to a litany of professional roles: assistant curator of an invertebrate museum; experiential and wilderness-based educator; recreation planner; advocate and educator with youth; gang rescue team; adolescent health care advocate and educator; food security advocate; trainer; as well serving in numerous team and organizational leadership roles. Two common threads connecting her diverse experiences revolve around systems of community and ecology. Her life and work have thus been characterized by the advancement of diverse, inclusive and equitable environments and a deep connection to rivers, land and wilderness. Her commitment to social, environmental and economic justice began in her youth and has been growing and evolving since.

Queta is an Oregon Outdoor Education Coalition steering team member, and volunteers on the ODFW Legislative Task Force and in various episodic activities. She is eternally grateful for and enriched by supportive and loving family and friends and lives in Portland with her amazing partner and bossy cat.