Marinel Ubaldo is a dedicated climate justice advocate currently residing in Raleigh, NC. Originally from the Philippines, Marinel has been at the forefront of climate activism, community engagement, and policy advocacy for over a decade. Professionally, she serves as the Regional Field Director for the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters Foundation and is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of the Institute for Youth in Climate Diplomacy. She recently earned a Masters of Environmental Management with a certificate in Community-Based Environmental Management from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, specializing in Environmental Economics and Policy. Marinel applied for the Boards and Commissions Fellowship Program to amplify her voice in policy spaces, ensuring that climate justice and environmental equity are at the forefront of local and state decision-making. Through this program, she hopes to gain insights into effective governance, strengthen her leadership in community-driven environmental initiatives, and contribute to shaping policies that center frontline communities. Her passions lie in climate advocacy, youth empowerment, and environmental justice. She has served as an Advisory Board Member for Global Witness and a Board Member of Climate Tracker, championing transparency, accountability, and youth representation in climate policy. Marinel is also a Climate Reality Leader trained by Al Gore and has spoken at major international climate events, including COP21, COP25, COP26, COP27, COP28, and COP29. Beyond policy work, Marinel enjoys mentoring young climate leaders, organizing grassroots campaigns, and using social media to drive awareness and action. Her work continues to be driven by a deep commitment to empowering frontline communities and holding major polluters accountable.