Let’s Modo!
We’re on a mission to get more people walking, biking, and rolling in our communities! Whether we’re teaching kids how walk and bike safe in schools, or helping busy adults get back into the saddle with a bike challenge, or creating community by hosting safe group rides, our team is committed to reducing carbon emissions and improving community health for all through active transportation.
Modo is powered by Ecology Action
Ecology Action is an award-winning California 501(c)(3) non-profit that’s been inspiring sustainable community actions since 1970. Ecology Action creates and implements innovative programs to help people and businesses reduce their environmental impact, while supporting more resilient communities. Learn more at EcoAct.org.
ecoact.org
Our Team
30+ and growing! Our team of movers and shakers is teaching kids in schools, planning next generation infrastructure in our communities, leading group bike commutes in Santa Cruz County and encouraging people everywhere to learn, move, and connect through active transportation. See below for a taste of what gets them moving everyday.
McKenna Maness
Program Coordinator
I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to do this work. It’s really rewarding to get to teach kids how to ride their bikes, how to ride safely, to encourage them to feel like they’re making a difference when they ride their bike and choose that method of transportation.
Matt Miller
Sr. Program Specialist
Imagine a day where you have to get to work, visit family, make an appointment, buy food, go to class, or pick up kids…imagine doing it all with a bicycle. All that, while reducing emissions, saving money, lowering stress, and connecting with community. Helping people access biking motivates me every day.
Tawn Kennedy
Program Specialist
Whether riding on quite country roads as a tween, getting to my afterschool job in high school, or taking our toddler on a meandering ride to the playground or a local open space, bikes have long been a tool for fun, freedom, and exploration for me. Bikes open up the world while spreading joy and building community.
Juan Castillo
Program Specialist
Doing this work aligns with my passion for community work and health and the values I hold dear.
Anastassya Zack
Program Coordinator II
I love walking. It is so nice to try and find new and interesting parts of the streets I see every day on the way to my destination. I am so grateful I get to share that aspect of being a pedestrian with students.
Piet Canin
Strategic Development Director
I love that Modo is getting more kids and adults on bikes so they can experience the joy, freedom and self-sufficiency of riding a bike around town. They can feel the wind in their face, hear birds chirping and the crashing of the ocean waves while they get exercise and affordable and healthy transportation.
Leann Leon
Program Specialist
I love that I get to work with my Latino population in Monterey County and I get to inform parents about the small changes we can make a to improve our environment.
Margaret Ireland
Art Director
I love being a part of a positive, solutions-focused team. It’s inspiring to see how inclusive, thoughtful and pragmatic everyone is in their roles — and indomitable in choosing alternative transportation modes!
Jennifer Villegas Moreno
Program Coordinator
The most rewarding part of my work is knowing I can make a difference and serve the communities I myself used to grow up it. I love educating and encouraging adults to safely ride their bikes and to have fun while doing it. Choosing to ride our bikes is my favorite mode of active transportation because it’s so fun and is a simple way to make a difference for a healthy planet!
Jasmine Castillo Rosales
Senior Program Specialist
My work makes an impact on our communities and planet! Not only does the work I do help to change the behavior for students and parents (more likely to choose active transportation), but I am also able to help community members create a greater connection with other community members. It also helps low-income students experience programs such as Walking School Buses that they would probably never get to experience otherwise. At Sherwood Elementary a parent share with me that her son loved to walk with us every week and was always excited to hear it was Walking School Bus day. Her son ended up winning the skateboard and she shared that he had been asking for her to buy him a skateboard for several years, but she wasn’t able to buy him one because she needed that money for bills and rent. She was so happy he was able to get one.
Edwina Malmberg
Planning Coordinator II
The chance to collaborate with passionate colleagues brings me energy daily but what truly makes this challenging work worthwhile is inspiring fellow low income and BIPOC individuals with the concept of “el poder del pueblo,” showing we can all contribute to climate solutions.
Uriel Mendoza
Program Manager
My passion is creating opportunities for communities to be active. Modo allows for cross generational programing that allows people, families, and communities to gain knowledge and participate in programs and activities that create and encourage a more active lifestyle.
