equity sounding board

CalMTA has established an Equity Sounding Board to support our efforts to apply an equity lens in the development of a market transformation portfolio for California. The Equity Sounding Board is comprised of eight professionals who advocate for, or work within, environmental and social justice (ESJ) communities who provide professional insight and feedback on selected market transformation initiatives (MTIs).

While the Equity Sounding Board is not an official body and has no authority over CalMTA’s work, we believe direct engagement with representatives of ESJ communities is an essential step to achieving our goals. This group guides CalMTA’s outreach to ESJ communities, assists in avoidance of actions that would cause unforeseen harm, and acts as a ready resource for feedback on our work.

The Equity Sounding Board is guided by the following principles:

• Increase ESJ communities’ access to energy-efficient technologies and practices
• Maintain or enhance the affordability of energy efficiency products and services in ESJ communities by considering potential rate impacts of any proposed MTI strategic interventions
• Increase access to the benefits associated with MTIs in ESJ communities (e.g. by supporting growth in local employment and small business development, reducing pollutants and health risks)

The Equity Sounding Board provides an opportunity for members to provide first-hand knowledge of the barriers, opportunities, and successful interventions that have increased community adoption and engagement with emerging technologies. Members also learn from and network with fellow experts in energy efficiency, market transformation and workforce development.

Membership

Members will serve two-year terms. The Equity Sounding Board will meet virtually three times a year with meeting dates announced at least two months in advance. Time spent on preparing for and attending meetings will not exceed 12 hours a year.

CalMTA may contact an Equity Sounding Board member to discuss specific technologies, workforce development impacts, or community impacts where the Equity Sounding Board member has particular expertise. The Equity Sounding Board member will be asked to review additional documents, join a small-group discussion with CalMTA staff, or share input outside of regular Equity Sounding Board meetings. Time spent in individual consultation will not exceed 13 hours per year.

Current Members

Adriana Ayala, Ph.D. | Executive Director, Chicana Latina Foundation

Alicia Bohigian | Assistant Program Director, Self-Help Enterprises

Dr. Federico Castillo | Project Scientist and Lecturer, University of California, Berkeley

Maria Dahlin | Tribe Council Member, N’de Apache Tribe

Michelle Engel-Silva | CEO, Proteus, Inc.

Elisa Gallegos Jackson | Nurse, Retired Public Health Nurse, Community Health Educator and Independent Consultant

Joaquin Narvaez | Owner, West Coast Green Builders LLC

Johng Ho Song | Executive Director, Koreatown Youth and Community Center

Stipend

Participating Equity Sounding Board members will be paid a stipend of $800 for each of three Equity Sounding Board meetings per year. In addition, members will receive an hourly stipend payment of $200 per hour for individual/small-group consultation, not to exceed 13 hours per year. 

Conflicts of Interest

Equity Sounding Board membership requires that, except for compensation for participating in the Equity Sounding Board, the member not receive, or be in pursuit of, funding, directly or indirectly, from CalMTA, including any subcontractors.