Born and raised in Los Angeles, Luis(he/him)’s first memories of “nature” as a space to recreate was when he worked as a dishwasher at a Boy Scouts of America summer camp on Catalina Island at the age of 17. He would finish his daily duties and join the high-adventure scouts on their moonlight night kayaking activities. After transitioning to the redwoods of UC Santa Cruz the following year for college, he realized how enriching the outdoors can be to an individual. Even then it took him 30 years to feel as if he belonged in the outdoors. Now, as a seasoned outdoor and adventure travel professional he hopes to leverage his deep experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion to empower others on their path.