The 2021 New York City 40 Under 40

Cristina Garcia developed a passion for sustainability while studying environmental engineering at The City College of New York. That experience made it particularly meaningful when, while at the New York City’s Mayor’s Office of Climate and Sustainability, she developed a new internship program designed specifically for students at local public colleges to access careers in sustainability.

“Having been able to be a part of having a direct impact on those students, I think, is something that I’m just proud of because it touches really close to home,” she says. “I was one of those students. I am a New Yorker, I am first-generation and I am Latina.”

Her experience in city government is particularly relevant to her work at the Building Electrification Institute. As an assistant director at the organization, Garcia helps cities across the country navigate labor and workforce development challenges associated with transitioning away from using fossil fuels in buildings’ systems. 

Her interest in equitable workforce development goes beyond her day job: Garcia launched Latinxs in Sustainability in 2017, which offers events and opportunities for networking and mentorships to Latino professionals working in sustainability. 

“A lot of minority New Yorkers that studied environmental engineering … Where are they now?  … What’s happening that there’s clearly such a gap between people who pursue these degrees and then the people that make it in the rooms?” she asks. “This group is trying to elevate those stories and narratives and to raise awareness about what career opportunities look like in sustainability.”

– K.D.