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Meet the Panelists at the Renew Our Power Gathering
Opening Panel: Just Decentralised Energy as Resistance
Maria Cunha (Brazil) – is an incredible young leader from São Raimundo, a community in the Brazilian Amazon, who organizes in defense of traditional peoples and communities. She’s been involved in a game-changing effort to utilize the management of the pirarucu – a famous freshwater fish – to generate resources to install community-owned renewable energy. Once limited by unreliable and limited electricity resources, Maria’s community enjoys 24hr/day energy access, and all the benefits that have followed.
Melina Loubicon Massimo (Canada) – is founder and executive director of Sacred Earth Solar, a women-led organization that empowers frontline and Indigenous communities from across so-called-Canada with renewable energy. Melina has offered many gifts to the climate movement, including authoring the Just Transition Guide, a resource for communities who want to work toward a just transition drawing on Indigenous wisdom.
Alisi Rabukawaqa-Nacewa (Fiji) – Alisi is a Pacific Islander who represents the Pacific Climate Warriors, an organization she’s been a part of since its inception. As one of Fiji’s leading ocean experts, and extensive experience in conservation, climate activism and indigenous peoples’ traditional rights and knowledge advocacy, her advisory role as a Council Elder has shaped the inspiring campaigns emerging in the Pacific.
Pabita Shahi (Nepal) – is an Indigenous uplander from Nepal, campaigning at the intersection of gender and the natural environment. As a coordinator with Powershift Nepal, she has contributed extensively to projects combating climate change and addressing other environmental issues. As Pabita’s work evolves, she has big plans to bring renewable energy access – and all the benefits that will come with it – to the communities she serves.
Ireen Twongirwe (Uganda) – is the Executive Director of Women for Green Economy Movement Uganda (WoGEM). She is committed to promoting the active participation of women and girls in building a greener economy for sustainable social and economic development. Ireen also works closely with marginalized women impacted by the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), advocating for renewable energy and green economic alternatives that improve lives while protecting the environment.
The Power in Movement: From Warriors to World Builders
Monica Chuji Gualinga (Ecuador) – is a Kichwa from the Ecuadorian Amazon leading powerful advocacy rejecting extractivism by building people power united by Indigenous rights, human rights, water. She is the Latin America director of Indigenous Peoples Rights International, where she uses her expertise to advocate and train others about the rights of people and nature.
Majd Alkhoury (Palestine) – is a climate campaigner with Oxfam, his advocacy is shaped by his experience as a Palestinian who has grown up experiencing occupation. For Majd, resiliency in the face of climate change demands access to health care and freedom from violence for all people. A just energy future will not only see access to renewable energy, but political and social rights too. He believes deeply that people power can and will win a safe and just future for all.
Luene Karipuna (Brazil) – Luene belongs to the Karipuna indigenous people, Uaça indigenous land, in the municipality of Oiapoque, Amapá/Brazil. She is the Executive Coordinator of the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples and Organizations of Amapá and Northern Pará where she uses her voice and Indigenous alliances to push back against oil exploration in the Amazon.
Mitzi Jonelle Tan (The Philippines) – is a full-time climate justice activist based in the Philippines. Their activism is grounded by the principles of anti-imperialism, anti-colonialism, joy, love, and collective world-building. Mitzi leads the Climate Justice Squad Fellowship – a program hosted by 350.org and Together For Future that supports young activists worldwide in strengthening their campaigns through coalition-building and intergenerational learning.
Chibeze Ezekiel (Ghana) – a celebrated climate justice leader, is the moderator of this power-house panel. Chibeze is an advocate for youth leadership in the governance of natural resources and environmental policy. In Ghana, he is the Executive Coordinator of the Strategic Youth Network for Development and the Chair of the Youth in Natural Resources & Environmental Governance.
Brianna Fruean (Samoa) – Brianna is the founding member of the Samoan chapter of 350.org and the youngest 350.org country coordinator. Brianna has taken the Pacific’s story and struggles to the global stage, amplifying the region’s efforts to secure a sustainable planet for future generations. She is the first Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Champion from the Pacific and is currently on the Council of Elders for the Pacific Climate Warriors.
Power in our own hands: Inspiring Case Studies of Communities for a Just Transition
Edwin Mumbere (Uganda) – Edwin is the Director of the Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment & Management (CECIC) in Uganda, where he leads initiatives focused on energy justice and community empowerment. He is passionate about empowering marginalized communities, especially women, by training them in solar energy installation and promoting community-owned renewable energy solutions. With a strong commitment to climate justice, Edwin advocates for a just energy transition that prioritizes local solutions and sustainable development. His leadership continues to drive impactful change in Uganda, proving that access to clean energy can transform lives.
Portia Adu Mensah (Ghana) – Portia is a passionate climate activist in Ghana, co-founder and National Coordinator of 350 Ghana Reducing our Carbon (350GROC). She is also the founder of Dream Hunt, an organization that raises young environmental advocates in schools. She won the Most Impactful Climate Change/Biodiversity Conservation Advocate at the Ghana Environmental and Sanitation Awards in 2022. Portia’s unwavering commitment to the cause of environmental sustainability and climate justice continues to inspire and motivate many young people in Ghana and beyond.
Ruth Santiago (Puerto Rico) – Ruth is a community and environmental lawyer based in the municipality of Salinas in southeastern Puerto Rico where she has worked with multiple organizations and groups for over thirty-eight years on projects ranging from a community newspaper, children’s services, a community school, fisher’s associations, ecotourism projects to rooftop solar energy pilot projects. Ruth has been involved in the establishment of broad alliances to prevent water pollution from landfills, power plant emissions and discharges and coal combustion residual waste. She is part of civil society initiatives to promote community-based solar projects and energy democracy. In addition to litigation in courts and administrative agencies, Ruth has co-organized environmental education projects, advised the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve on watershed protection and land use issues. For many years, Ruth has worked on cases related to energy projects and electric system integrated resource plans. Ms. Santiago has published articles on energy issues in Puerto Rico. Ruth Santiago served on the former White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council.
Tri Mumpuni (Indonesia) – Tri is an agricultural engineer who has been campaigning for more than 30 years to replace diesel power plants with micro hydro plants to develop local economic growth in rural Indonesia. She has worked on renewable energy production with many key stakeholders. Her organization, People-Centered Business and Economic Initiative (IBEKA), has successfully installed more than 60 micro hydro projects as well as solar photovoltaic technology for water pumping system across Indonesia.
Arfread De Mesa (The Philippines) – Arfread is a community organizer and activist leading 350 Pilipinas, an affiliate of 350.org that has been championing grassroots renewable energy initiatives since 2013. With a focus on the urban low income areas, they work to empower local communities in Metro Manila by promoting community-driven renewable energy projects. One of their flagship initiatives involves collaborating with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and local technology institutes to establish solar charging stations. These projects not only provide clean energy to underserved communities but also foster skill-sharing in renewable energy and adaptive technologies, helping them become more resilient to climate impacts.
Arfread sees the Renew Our Power Gathering as a critical opportunity to strengthen the work of 350 Pilipinas and amplify the role of urban poor communities in the global energy transition. Through collaboration with fellow advocates, he aims to refine organizing strategies, expand renewable energy solutions, and resist the continued reliance on fossil fuels. After the gathering, Arfread plans to deepen partnerships and scale up the solar charging station project across Metro Manila, focusing on empowering communities to not only adapt to climate change but thrive in the renewable energy transition.
Isra Adwan (Palestine) – Isra Adwan is an advocate for climate justice and economic equity, holding a BSc in Computer Engineering and an MBA. She collaborates with NGOs, CSOs, ministries, and youth groups on initiatives that empower youth and local communities in Palestine, ensuring their active role in climate resilience and economic development. Previously, as Oxfam’s Climate Change Focal Point, she led key interventions in climate adaptation, mitigation, and advocacy. She played a central role in organizing Palestine’s first-ever Local Conference of Youth (LCOY), equipping young leaders with advocacy and policy engagement skills. Isra also works at the regional level, collaborating with networks such as the Arab Youth Green Voices Network (AYGV) to amplify youth-led climate action across the MENA region.
Nantu Canelos (Ecuador) – Indigenous leader from the Achuar peoples in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Nantu is the founder and president of Kara Solar, a foundation creating fluvial transportation based on renewable energy solutions in the Amazon. Kara solar aims to create technologies that equip Amazon communities with new tools to build clean energy autonomy, strengthen cultural resilience, and contribute to the defense of rainforest ecosystems that sustain us all.
Radical Futures: Building Community by Transforming the Energy System
Fenton Lutunatabua (Fiji) – Fenton is a visionary leader and advocate for climate justice, haling from the Fiji Islands. He is a multifaceted climate organizer whose work transcends boundaries encompassing photography, literary media, and film. As a facilitator and trainer, he empowers others to become agents of change in their communities. Lutunatabua, is a renowned climate activist leading by example as a founder of the Pacific Climate Warriors, a movement that has sparked a wave of environmental consciousness across the Pacific and beyond. In addition to his remarkable activism, Lutunatabua is a trailblazer in the realm of podcasting in the Pacific, using this medium to amplify Pacific voices in the fight against climate change. Lutunatabua is currently working with 350.org as the Deputy Head of Regions. He is also the Founder of Beyond the Narrative, a creative agency in Fiji, that is dedicated to unlocking the radical imagination of Pacific communities empowering them to shape their own futures.
Amalen Sathanantar (Malaysia) – Amalen, from the Artivists Collective, will be co-hosting our art space. They support and develop Asian-led campaigns through creative activism and artistic interventions, working with ArtivistNetwork.org and in partnership with regional groups like DBI. Amalen is also a proud farmer, bringing grounded, community-rooted perspectives into their organizing and creative work.
Thiago Mundano (Brazil) – Thiago is an artist and activist who was part of the Global Power Shift. Known for his powerful contributions to the climate movement like Rise for Climate and Power Up, Thiago uses art as a tool for social and environmental justice. His work boldly weaves together creativity and activism, spotlighting urgent issues through striking visual storytelling.
Rev Dr. Ambrose Caroll Sr. (United States) – Senior pastor of Renewal Worship Center in Oakland, California, and founder of Green the Church. His initiative empowers African American churches to lead in environmental stewardship and renewable energy adoption.
Sani Montahuano (Ecuador) – Sani is a producer and filmmaker of Sapara Nation and co-founder of Tawna Cine desde Territorio. Since 2019, she has been organising audiovisual training workshops for young people from the Amazonian territories with the Tinkas school in communities in Pastaza. She directed several award-winning documentaries.
June Bartuin (Kenya) – June is the founder of Indigenous Peoples’ for Peace – IPPCJ, focused on sustainable development, solar energy, and climate justice. She advocates for solar energy solutions for marginalized communities in Kenya. With expertise in climate finance, policy, and adaptation strategies, she promotes equitable solutions that involve indigenous communities, women, and youth in the climate dialogue.
Closing Panel: Commitments and Next Steps
Marina Silva – Minister of the Environment and Climate Change of Brazil
Savio Carvaljo – Head of Regions at 350.org