by José 'Che' Martinez Rodriguez
A graduate of the School of Architecture at the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras, Che has cultivated a great interest for the diverse ways we can build structures, as well as empowering communities and individuals. His search led him to the subject of bio-construction, and, as a result, to Plenitud PR. Since he joined the organization as our Accessible Housing Developer in July 2020, Che has worked on and coordinated various projects that involve the use of SuperAdobe as the main construction materials as well as assisting in the process of obtaining construction permits for two SuperAdobe Projects and co-teaching an intensive professional training in SuperAdobe.
by Owen Ingley
Owen has been with Plenitud PR from the beginning. Owen, Paula, and a few other like-minded individuals envisioned and launched Plenitud PR in 2008. In his current role of Co-Director, he has a hand in almost all of Plenitud’s many activities. He gracefully manages this magnificent workload with a smile and his incredible sense of humor. His specialty is in the design of permaculture systems and bio-construction. Owen also contributes to administrative tasks including grant writing, management of staff, and financial management. His passions include meditation, surfing, and creating and listening to inspirational music.
by Jaris Marie Delgado Cabán
Jaris is our Holistic Educational Content Development Lead for the Plenitud PR Partner Schools Program. She is originally from Rincón, Puerto Rico, a fan of sports, politics, history, photography, and the beach! Skateboarding, snowboarding, and tennis are some of her favorite hobbies. She completed a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and a minor in Middle School Education focused on the History of Puerto Rico and Latin America. She also has a post-doctorate and internship and spent 5 years at the APA-approved Multicultural Psychology Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. Her specialty is on Theories of Trauma, Feminism, and Mindfulness. The focus of her work has been with underserved populations, especially Latina and Puerto Rican communities. She is a survivor of multiple traumatic events, a Christian, and an activist for social justice.
by Natalia Sánchez
Natalia is our Resident Artist, and came to Plenitud PR not just to beautify the space but also to help us bring arts outreach to our community. She graduated from the Columbus College of Arts and Design in Ohio with a degree in Fine Arts and Art Therapy. Art is the way she expresses herself, and she is very passionate about it. Natalia is joining our Youth Program and helping us bring art classes to our partner schools and the surrounding community. She also loves laughing, contemplating philosophy, the beach, and dancing.
Learn more about her art at: http://www.natsanchez.com/
by Glenis Padilla Plaza
Glenis Padilla is our Assistant Director of the Partner Schools Program providing technical assistant, coordination and administrative support. Glenis is Puerto Rican, she is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Vanuatu, South Pacific 2004-2007) and has a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, a Master's Degree in International Relations, and a Master's Degree in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development. Glenis currently co-directs with her husband, Ismael Ramos, the non-profit organization Alelí Environmental, Inc. which established an alliance with Plenitud PR in 2019 to strengthen the Children and Youth Program.
by Paula Paoli Garrido
Paula is Co-Director and Co-Founder at Plenitud PR. She is primarily in charge of the coordination of Plenitud PR’s farm, events, and community projects. Paula manages the well known Plenitud kitchen-it’s a surprise to all who visit the farm seeking knowledge about sustainable agriculture and leave talking only about the vegetables that were turned into one of the best meals of their lives. Paula’s primary and most important ingredient in everything is Love. She has an infectious laugh that inspires all, and she is always getting the dance party started.
by Yira M. Rodríguez Martínez
Yira is our VISTA Community Resiliency Programs Coordinator and came into contact with Plenitud PR when she was accepted into the Rainwater Harvesting Mentorship Program in 2019. Native from Ponce PR, she has been participating for over two years with a collective of people in the Huerto Urbano del Callejón Trujillo, an urban garden and a center of resilience in the center of the city that was rescued and transformed from a previously abandoned space. Yira is inspired by self-sustainability through agroecology, permaculture, education, and community work. Her contribution at Plenitud is focused on community resiliency, particularly in the installation of rainwater harvesting systems. She loves art and nature.
by Naina Ramrakhani
Naina first met Plenitud PR in 2013 after a visit with George Washington University Alternative Breaks program, and she has been involved ever since. After serving one year as an AmeriCorps VISTA member on the farm in 2019, Naina is now focused on planning events, organizing internal/external operations, relationship management and digital communications support. Originally from New York City, Naina loves live music, drumming, dancing and spicy foods.
by Duncan Anderson
Duncan is originally from Bogota, Colombia, but grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. He first came into contact with Plenitud while leading a group of students from the University of St. Thomas on a global community building trip. He immediately fell in love with the community and vision of Plenitud and has since made good on his desire to return! He now serves as the Service Learning Coordinator and works with university students, bringing the same love and intention that he found as a former student himself. Duncan is also an avid hiker, writer, and longtime meditation practitioner.
by Katharine Brown
Katie has been involved with Plenitud PR as a volunteer since 2009, and now serves as both our Communications Director and as Treasurer in the Plenitud PR Board of Directors. Katie has a BA in Philosophy from the University of North Carolina and a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Tennessee, and has many years’ experience as a licensed social worker practicing clinical therapy. She works from home in Durham, NC, where she enjoys being with her husband and daughter, as well as hiking, gardening, cooking delicious food, and playing music.
by Samantha López Muñiz
Samantha has been attracted to Plenitud by the shared purpose of serving Puerto Rican communities. She served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer at Plenitud PR from 2019 - 2020, as our Communications and Marketing Director from ‘20 - ‘21, and continues her service as a Health and Wellness Consultant for our programs. Over the past 10 years she has been focusing on healthy lifestyle education through her business Ama Pachana, and through her project Amor al Útero. She is also a talented illustrator and muralist, who loves to sing.