Narissa Jimenez-Petchumrus (they, them, theirs) is originally from Ventura County, California and received their BA in Political Science with a Minor in Global Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). They worked anywhere from 2-3 jobs while concurrently engaging in community organizing work. Some of their organizing work included creating and chairing their city’s first LGBTQ+ Pride Festival “Conejo Valley Pride,” spreading immigration Know Your Rights information door-to-door, and advocating for environmental justice through engaging in civil disobedience. They believe their working class and community organizing experiences lends them a unique perspective that will keep them grounded when considering policies.
They are currently pursuing a dual-degree with the Sanford School of Public Policy and the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, specializing in Energy and Environment.
They were also a delegate for North Carolina Congressional District 4 for Senator Bernie Sanders during the 2020 Democratic Primary and a Stanback Fellow with the North Carolina Sierra Club working on the End Dirty Fuels Campaign. Narissa is also a WRISE (Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy) Solar Power Fellow. The program is aimed at women training for careers in installation and design as well as college and graduate students studying renewable energy and related fields. They are also a part of a Duke University Bass Connections Student Research Awards team engaging in research on the distribution of urban greenspace and impacts on health outcomes for underserved communities.
Their interests include incorporating the intersections of renewable energy policy and energy justice within the utility sector and working with key stakeholders to accelerate decarbonization goals that would alleviate the burden placed predominantly on low-income communities of color.