The team behind the movement

Jill is an inspirational climate communicator, social entrepreneur, and strategist with 20 years of experience building the public will on climate. Co-founder of Our Kids’ Climate, the Fellowship program, and the award-winning DearTomorrow storytelling project, Jill has been at the forefront of building intergenerational movements, climate communications, and climate arts within the field. Her work has been showcased by TED, the United Nations, PBS, Public Radio International, Yale Climate Connections, Grist, Julie’s Bicycle, and more. Prior to her intergenerational climate work, she spent a decade helping to establish the climate-labor field in the US and globally. Jill loves spending time with friends and family, running in the park, and finding treasures in antique and thrift shops.

Maya is a powerful communicator with almost 20 years of experience in campaigning, strategy, policy, and coalition building for climate and social justice. She is focused on co-creating smart, unifying and impactful campaigns to advance a rapid and fair transition to renewable energy. Alongside her role as co-director of Our Kids’ Climate, she is co-founder of Mothers Rise Up, running some of the most creative fossil fuel finance campaigns in the climate space. She was the former Head of Humanitarian Policy and Campaigns at Oxfam, leading a team of campaign and policy experts. She has lived and worked in South Sudan and Kenya. Maya has written on the power of parent-climate organizing, including for Huffington Post, Early Childhood Matters, and Women’s Health magazine, and has done broadcast interviews for the BBC News and Sky News, among others, on parent-climate organizing. She has three football-mad children, who inspire her every single day.

Juliana brings more than 15 years of climate movement-building experience in Brazil and globally to the Climate-Parent Fellowship and the Our Kids’ Climate team. Previous work includes 350.org, the Global Call for Climate Action (GCCA), the founding of Engajamundo and Clímax Brasil, and the executive director of Youth Climate Leaders. During 2021-2023, Juliana served as the Chairman of the Board of Plant for the Planet in Brazil. Born in São Paulo, she holds a degree in International Relations from USP, is an Environment and Society Studies specialist from FESP-SP, and holds a master’s degree in Development Studies from the Institute of Development Studies (IDS). Juliana enjoys discovering and exploring new and unusual places in São Paulo or in other places she visits. Also, she loves moving her body, reading and spending time with her family and friends, especially around a table with good food and wine.

Rebecca is a passionate, strategic, and creative communications leader with over 20 years of experience in the government and non-profit sectors. She now leads Our Kids’ Climate communications and is deeply committed to raising the voices of those active in the climate parent movement. She started her career as a press officer at the UK’s Department of Health before working as a humanitarian media manager for Oxfam and UNICEF, leading the communications responses to major global emergencies. She has also worked in communications for the Royal Society (the UK’s Academy of Science), the Mayor of London, and for various climate clients whilst at the global communications agency di:ga. She loves sharing her love of nature with her growing family.

Teresa Xavier trained as an environmental engineer (USFCar) and former Co-Director of Youth Climate Leaders where she managed a network of more than one thousand young climate professionals and a team of five part-time staff. She oversaw projects, fundraising and finances. She has been an environmental activist since she was fourteen years old and progressed to Projects Director of the Junior Enterprise Movement at the university during her undergraduate studies. As the Operations and Administrative Support Coordinator for Our Kids’ Climate, Teresa contributes with her expertise by meticulously overseeing organizational management and providing detailed support to the core team, Fellowship, and Microgrants programs.

Greshma is an accomplished climate and peace educator with extensive experience in interfaith dialogues and environmental peacebuilding. She is the founder of Ecopeace Teen Cafe, an innovative online education program designed for teenagers. The program emphasizes community care, environmental protection, social justice, and nonviolent communication. Her leadership and commitment to these values are also reflected in her role as a Global Council Trustee of the United Religions Initiative, a global grassroots interfaith organization dedicated to promoting peace and justice. Additionally, she serves as a youth council member for the UNEP-Faith for Earth Initiative. Driven by a profound belief in the power of small acts of love and compassion, Greshma is dedicated to fostering positive change within the global community.