Fortino Morales III
Sustainability Manager
Fortino Morales III has served as the City of Riverside’s Sustainability Manager since 2024. Fortino has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Master of Public Policy from the University of California, Riverside. Fortino brings his experience from UC Riverside where he served as the Sustainability Officer for 6 years. He previously served as the founding staff director of R’Garden, a seven-acre campus garden and experiential learning space for students and the surrounding community.
Marilyn De La Cruz
Sustainability Analyst
Marilyn De La Cruz has served as the City’s Sustainability Analyst since 2024 and is part of the inaugural full-time team working at the Office of Sustainability. Marilyn earned a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology, a Bachelor of Art in Spanish from the University of California, Riverside, and a Master of Public Administration from California State University, San Bernardino. She has served on the steering committee (board) of the Inland Southern California Climate Collaborative (ISC3) since 2023.
Joyce Jong
Senior Project Manager
Joyce Jong is a Senior Project Manager in the Office of Sustainability leading agriculture and sustainability initiatives and related economic development programs in collaboration with stakeholder partners. Joyce is an alumna of the California Agricultural Leadership Program, Class 39. She holds a Master’s in Agriculture & Management from University of California Davis, and an MBA from California State University, Sacramento.
Fellows
Ifeyani Williams
Fellow
Ifeyani Williams is a CivicSpark Fellow serving with the Office of Sustainability, assisting in Grow Riverside and the Green Business Program. She earned her Master of Science degree in Environmental Studies from California State University, Fullerton, and has prior experience in sustainability, including pollinator and native plant research, horticulture and urban agriculture, and environmental education and outreach. She is interested in continuing to work in sustainability on a larger scale.
Lizbeth Martinez-Ramos
Fellow
Lizbeth Martinez-Ramos is a CivicSpark Fellow serving with the Office of Sustainability, focusing on the development of alternative fuel sites and municipal energy efficiency. She is a recent graduate from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Science in Science, Technology, and International Affairs with a concentration in Energy and Environment and a minor in Environmental Studies. Lizbeth continues to work on a holistic approach to sustainable development by continuing her Ecological Belonging Fellowship with the Wellbeing Project.
Nina Smith
Fellow
Nina Smith is a CivicSpark Fellow serving with the City of Riverside’s Office of Sustainability. In her role, she focuses on supporting the City of Riverside’s Climate Action & Adaptation Plan and developing the Office of Sustainability. Nina earned her B.S. in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning with a minor in Sociology from UC Davis. She previously supported transportation research through her internship with the National Center for Sustainable Transportation and continues to engage in grassroots climate efforts by volunteering with San Diego Climate Week.