Rafael Guzman
Assistant City Manager
Rafael Guzman has served as City’s Assistant City Manager for 7 years and is the City’s first Chief Sustainability Officer. Rafael has a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Analysis from the University of California, Irvine and a Master of Environmental Science from the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science & Forestry. He is a graduate of the Harvard University City Leadership, Class of 2022, and Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Leadership Riverside, Class of 2017.
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.
Fellows
Arlette Gutierrez
Fellow
Arlette Gutierrez graduated from the University of California Riverside with a bachelor's degree in political science and public service. She served as a climate action fellow as part of the first cohort of the UCR College Corps, which focused on Eastern Riverside climate efforts. She wishes to continue working in sustainability through the Office of Sustainability’s Youth Job Corp Program.
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.
Katera Lee
Fellow
Katera Lee is a CivicSpark Fellow serving with the Office of Sustainability. Her fellowship centers around supporting the City of Riverside’s Climate Action & Adaptation Plan and the establishment of the Office of Sustainability. At UCLA, Katera studied Geography/Environmental Studies, led a sustainable fashion organization, and worked for UCLA’s Zero Waste Ambassadors program to promote waste education. She has also completed two terms of NASA DEVELOP, working on water resources and wildfire research projects, and a science communication internship with NASA Ames Research Center, writing articles to increase accessibility in Earth science topics.