MESM 2026
Pronouns: she/her
Bio
Lenaya-Aiden Gonzales is an artist and environmental advocate, inspired by the intersection of social justice and ecological restoration. Gonzales explored new passions while earning a B.S. in Environmental Protection with a minor in Restoration Ecology at California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo (2024). As president of Cal Poly's Sustainable Fashion Club, she led initiatives to increase accessibility to sustainable consumer practices on campus. Her research focused on applying advanced technology to study land use in the Amazon Rainforest and tree canopy in California, using geospatial analysis to quantify environmental equity and address disparities in access to natural resources and green spaces. Her contributions are published in the 2024 CSU Geospatial Review. Advocating for fair labor in the textile industry alongside researching deforestation and urban ecosystems reinforced her dedication to environmental justice. Gonzales is at Bren to strengthen the meaningful expertise necessary to (re)imagine and implement just, transformative solutions to today's environmental challenges.
Gonzales is specializing in Conservation Planning and Water Resources Management, focusing on Strategic Environmental Communication and Media. She is empowered to decolonize environmental practices and promote equitable solutions to restore ecosystems and strengthen community resilience.