Leila Salazar Lopez
About Leila Salazar Lopez
Leila Salazar Lopez serves as the Executive Director of Amazon Watch, where she has worked since 2015. With over 25 years of experience in grassroots organizing and international advocacy, she is a recognized leader in environmental and indigenous rights issues.
Work at Amazon Watch
Leila Salazar Lopez has served as the Executive Director of Amazon Watch since 2015. In this role, she oversees campaigns aimed at defending the Amazon rainforest and advancing indigenous rights. Prior to her current position, she worked as the Program Director at Amazon Watch from 2010 to 2015, where she managed various initiatives, including the initial Clean Up Ecuador campaign. Her leadership has been pivotal in shaping the organization's advocacy efforts.
Education and Expertise
Leila Salazar Lopez graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1998, earning a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and Political Science. Her academic background has equipped her with the knowledge and skills necessary for her extensive work in grassroots organizing and international advocacy campaigns, which spans over 25 years.
Background
Leila Salazar Lopez is a proud Chicana-Latina and mother of two, residing in San Francisco, California. She attended Oceanside High School from 1990 to 1993 before pursuing higher education. Her professional journey includes roles at Global Exchange as a Corporate Accountability Organizer and at Green Corps as an Organizer. She has also worked with the Rainforest Action Network, managing international advocacy campaigns.
Achievements
Leila Salazar Lopez has been recognized for her contributions to environmental advocacy. In 2023, she was named one of the '100 Most Committed Latinos to Climate Action' by Sachamama. Additionally, she was acknowledged in Make it Better Media’s '17 Bay Area Environmentalists Making a Difference' in 2019. She serves as a Board Member at the Rainforest Action Network and is an advisor for the Global Fund for Women in Latin America.
Community Involvement
Leila Salazar Lopez is actively involved in the San Francisco community. She is a member of the Daughters for Earth Advisory Circle and participates in various initiatives that promote climate justice and indigenous rights. Her commitment to grassroots organizing reflects her dedication to environmental issues and community empowerment.