Meet the Team

With almost two decades of PR experience representing health, technology and nonprofit organizations, Valerie Beesley is a public relations program manager at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Based in Austin, she drives the development and implementation of external awards and thought leadership programming. Valerie’s Austin-focused experience prior to joining MD Anderson includes leading award-winning earned media campaigns for Austin and Portland-based health and nonprofit organizations.

She draws inspiration, guidance and wisdom from her outdoorsy, adventurous husband and kids.

A former teacher with Round Rock ISD, Rochelle Chen is currently the Social Media Manager for The Parents’ Climate Community, where she specializes in creating engaging content for our social platforms. In addition, she works as a PPC Associate at the United States Gold Bureau, managing advertising campaigns and optimizing performance.

As a parent of two and a teacher of 10 years, Rochelle feels that it is her responsibility to create a sustainable future for the next generation. Joining The Parents’ Climate Community aligns with her passion for education and ensuring that our children inherit a world where the climate is prioritized for the well-being of all.

Outside of work, Rochelle loves exploring Austin, whether discovering new coffee shops with her trusty reusable cup in hand or spending quality time with her family at the park.

Sean is a digital-native media professional with over a decade spent as a film and commercial producer and editor in New York City. His work intersects both media and technology, by harnessing cloud computing and emerging innovation to build sustainable solutions for the industry.

Joining PCC sprang from a desire for community, a hope for his kids to discover service, and a duty to catalyze the next generation of climate leaders. Along with his wife and two daughters, you can find Sean on a trail or at a playground most weekends.

Meg Mattingly is a licensed professional counselor in Austin Texas and owner of Willow Tree Collective.  She specializes in helping folks grow in connection and healing with themselves, their communities, and the natural world. As a climate-aware therapist, Meg is passionate about creating more space and support for individuals and groups navigating climate anxiety and grief. 

On the weekends you can find her outside with her partner and kids, probably with a pair of binoculars looking for birds.

Eileen McGinnis launched The Parents’ Climate Community in Summer 2019. A 2024 fellow with Our Kids’ Climate, she is working to grow the parent-led and intergenerational climate movement in Central Texas. A former writing instructor at St. Edward’s University, she has a Ph.D. in English from The University of Texas at Austin and a B.A. from Columbia University. 

Eileen felt compelled to start The Parents’ Climate Community after attending a youth climate protest at the Texas State Capitol. She realized that more caregivers needed to be standing in solidarity with youth activists and fighting to protect children’s right to a livable climate. 

Because climate organizers (and caregivers!) need balance: she also enjoys learning Japanese, supporting Austin’s indie bookstores, and making stop-motion movies with her fourth grader.

Stephanie Chavez Noell is an artist, educator, advocate, and mother who believes in the power of creativity to build community and inspire action. With over 25 years of experience in dance, music, and movement-based learning, she has led interactive arts programs in schools, studios, and public spaces, always with a focus on accessibility and connection. She has held leadership roles at organizations like the Performing Arts Center in LA and Creative Action, developing arts initiatives that foster intergenerational learning and social impact. Now, as the Director of Community Arts at Parents’ Climate Community, Stephanie is passionate about using the arts to bring families together, spark meaningful conversations, and empower communities to take action for a more just and sustainable future. She was recently honored by Texas Sierra Club with the “Art in Service to the Environment” Award. She lives in Austin with her family, where she finds daily inspiration in her children’s creativity, curiosity, and hope for the world.

Mikki Prescott is a writer and web designer specializing in digital marketing and website development for nonprofits. She loves helping organizations like The Parents’ Climate Community amplify their impact and connect with their communities.

Working in the nonprofit sector has been deeply fulfilling for Mikki. She believes that words are the most powerful tool in any human interaction and is passionate about using her skills in crafting compelling copy and building engaging websites to contribute to a better future.

Board Secretary Zephyr Stone is an original member of The Parents’ Climate Community, back when it was a Meetup at Brentwood Social House! Since graduating from The University of Texas at Austin (“Hook ‘Em!”), she has worked in Social Service and Human Resources. 

Zephyr was drawn to the PCC because she believes that there is value in having community in issues that are important to you. This group gives her that sense of community, along with the ability to participate in solutions.

Olya Sukhopar is a marketing and communications professional, whose current role is Senior Performance Marketing Analyst for Expedia Group. Olya’s motivation to be a part of The Parents’ Climate Community stems from a deep concern for the future that her children and all future generations will inherit. She believes that collective action at the community level is crucial in driving meaningful change, and is committed to leveraging her experience to help build a more sustainable world for our children. 

Outside of her work with The Parents’ Climate Community, she enjoys exploring nature with her friends and family and working in her garden, which further fuels her passion for environmental advocacy.

Roxy Torres is a graphic designer, organizer, and parent working toward a climate-safe future rooted in joy. She weaves humor, visual storytelling, and systems thinking into climate action, helping families imagine what’s possible. Roxy believes that when we come together to shape solutions, we make space for each other and real change.

Lesa Walker has had a lifelong career in public health, working at the state and national levels. Currently, she is a medical consultant with the Environmental Defense Fund, bringing climate and environmental science into clinical practice and addressing environmental justice.  She is a certified Climate Reality Leader and an EcoAmerica Climate for Health Ambassador. 

Lesa is Founder of Compassionate Austin, part of a network of compassionate cities around the world. She was instrumental in obtaining the Austin City Council resolution designating Austin as a Compassionate City in April 2018 and works to strengthen and sustain “3D” compassionate action (caring for others, self, and the Earth) throughout our community.  She has volunteered in several wildlife conservation programs in Africa and Japan.