Verónica Ramírez (she/her) was raised in the heart of California, the San Joaquin Valley. She has a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of California, Merced. With the support of her family and friends, Verónica studied abroad in Auckland, New Zealand, where she was introduced to the kiwi bird and the Māori culture. She has served underrepresented communities with social justice, equity, and love. Love being at the root of it all. Her passion for representing and empowering underrepresented communities comes from her background as a first-generation student and hard-working immigrant parents from Mexico. The outdoors helps her recharge and breathe in the beauty of nature. Verónica hopes to encourage, bring positive change, and lift people with love and compassion.