Policy Fellow

Tatiana.Butte@sdcounty.ca.gov

Tatiana, a native to Southeast San Diego, is deeply committed to empowering individuals and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities. Her exemplary leadership was recognized in 2019 as she was inducted into the Walls of Excellence by then-councilwomen Montogomery-Steppe.

During her time at San Diego City College, Tatiana worked extensively with Outdoor Outreach. Amid the pandemic, she took on the role of Community Engagement Coordinator, where she assessed the impact of COVID-19 on community member engagement with the outdoors. Her research played a pivotal role in helping Outdoor Outreach secure two highly competitive grants from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, totaling over one million dollars. Tatiana has been a strong advocate for the establishment of outdoor education programs throughout the state, the revitalization of Emerald Hills Park, and advocated for neighborhoods facing environmental health injustices. In 2020, her advocacy earned her the Outdoor Retailer Youth Inspiration Award.

As a first-generation college student, Tatiana's academic journey began at San Diego City College, where she was selected as a recipient of the prestigious Undergraduate Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship. She then transferred to UC Berkeley where she made a significant contribution, including in 2022, represented UC Berkeley at the United Nations Climate Conference in Sharm El Sheik Egypt, where she highlighted environmental challenges faced by Black and Brown communities. She served as a long-term advisor and facilitator for the NavCal Program, which helps nontraditional students access on-campus resources and opportunities. Tatiana graduated with honors, earning a bachelor's degree in Human Geography, and was selected as a 2024 John Gardner Fellow.