Board & Staff

Astriz Perez

Arts in Parks Project Coordinator

Astriz Perez was born and raised in Los Angeles by her parents who taught her to have an appreciation for the environment and to take care of it like you would your own home. This kind of mindset is what has inspired her love of building and supporting her communities. Having worked with Jumpstart, a non-profit that supports marginalized communities by providing extra educational resources to preschool students and preventing them from falling behind their peers with more resources. Teaching these students along with her growing knowledge in regards to climate change and its dangers led Astriz to wonder what she could do to help the environment beyond individual action to create a better world for the generations to come. Eventually this led Astiz to CCA having left the San Francisco tech world behind she decided to return to the nonprofit world this time in the form of a project coordinator. Joining an organization that aligns with her values in protecting the environment and supporting communities all at the same time.

Why do you work in this field?

Astriz’s family is from El Salvador having grown up hearing their stories of the beautiful lush trees that surround them, the volcanoes they would hike up, the lake that provided not only food for family, but also a space where they could relax and enjoy themselves. Hearing stories like this along with her parents making sure that she had many opportunities to enjoy nature through gardening, visiting lakes and the beach, and hiking from a young age made Astriz determined to protect the environment and the spaces that feel like a second home to her.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

In her free time, Astriz enjoys reading, hiking, and cooking. Having recently moved back to Los Angeles after 7 years in the Bay Area, she’s excited to explore LA to find and rediscover things she used to do and experiences she can share with her friends and family. If you spot her around LA, you can be confident that she’ll be searching for the perfect matcha latte if she doesn’t already have one in her hand.

Lastly, what is your favorite outdoor activity?

Astriz loves hiking and swimming! They’re both activities that she’s loved since she was young and now it’s her goal to visit more national parks this year!