Andrea Villarreal Rodríguez is a visual storyteller and environmental activist based in Monterrey, Mexico. Her work highlights the leadership of girls and women in addressing the climate crisis, recognizing that their unique perspectives are crucial in forging a sustainable future. In 2022, she founded the Girl Up Mexico Storytelling Lab, empowering youth to craft impactful narratives through documentary film. This platform deepens understanding of the disproportionate effects of the climate crisis on the Global South while showcasing the diverse ways girls and women mobilize their communities. Villarreal continues to create safe spaces for creative expression as a National Geographic Young Explorer and a Communications Fellow at Girl Up Mexico, a United Nations Foundation initiative for gender equality. She holds a B.A. in communications and has worked with notable organizations such as UNICEF, UNHCR, and The Climate Reality Project.
Jair Félix is the Head of Academic Services at National Geographic Learning Latin America. He has a B.A. in TEFL from Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa in Mexico and a Post-Graduate Degree on Teachers’ Development from The College of St. Mark & St. John, Plymouth, UK. Jair has been involved in language teaching and teacher training for over 30 years and has conducted workshops on various topics such as lesson planning, discourse analysis for language teachers, action research, educational technologies, and 21st century skills, among others. Jair also holds a Diploma in Teaching English for Specific Purposes (DipTESP) and the E-Tutoring Certificate from the British Council. He is a frequent presenter at ELT conferences throughout Latin America.
Taylor Williams is a career educator and program developer. At the National Geographic Society they work most directly on bringing new and impactful educational programming to life for young people ages 13-25. Previously, they were the Education Program Coordinator for the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and taught young people how to safely enjoy biking. They also spent four years as a Fulbright Grantee in South Korea where they taught high school English and worked with the Korean-American Educational Commission to design and implement training for incoming Fulbright Grantees. Regardless of their role, Taylor’s main goal has been to design and facilitate experiences that provide opportunities for all learners to recognize and grow within their greatness.
