Our Team

Urban Semillas is a social conscientious and community-based consulting firm. Our work is grounded on social and environmental justice issues. Our goal is to empower people at the grassroots-level and across sectors to participate in local and statewide issues that impact the communities they live in.

 

Miguel Angel Luna, CEO

“There’s no denying that we have to plan for long-term, but we also must understand that there are issues taking place on a daily basis at the local level that impede participation and thoughtful community opinions. Making sure that those issues are heard and acknowledged are key to building trust.”

Miguel is the CEO of Urban Semillas. He grew up in a city next to a river in his hometown in Colombia, in that river he developed a kinship with water. In the late 70’s he emigrated with his mother to Los Angeles where he found the LA River. That childhood kinship with water and rivers continues till this day and is the main driver behind his work. Over the last two decades Miguel has worked on master planning projects at the city and regional level that have led to the augmentation of urban green space, the augmentation of water supply and improvement of water quality. Miguel has worked on funding measures with a focus on bringing resources to under-resourced communities. His practice has a specific focus in fostering participation in planning efforts among people who might not have previously participated in these and moderating effectively among people who might anticipate little common ground.

He is sought after and respected locally, regionally, and statewide for his expertise in working with diverse communities on social justice issues and advocacy, and for his ability to utilize community reconnaissance to develop and implement effective outreach tools and mechanisms for grass-roots coalition and consensus building. He specializes in cultivating relationships with and between community-based organizations, businesses, elected officials, environmental organizations, academia, governmental agencies, and individual stakeholders at the grass-roots level.

Miguel also serves as the Tribal Administrator/Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Tribal Historic and Cultural Preservation Department Director at the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and as Chairman of the board of the Tiüvac’a’ai Tribal Conservation Corps and serves on the boards of Metropolitan Water District, Delta Conveyance and Design Authority, Council for Watershed Health, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Water Education for Latino Leaders, Community Nature Connection, Pacoima Beautiful, Vincent Price Art Museum and serves as the Executive Director of the Southeast Arts and Cultural Foundation.

PROJECT EXPERIENCE

 

CIVIC

Metropolitan Water District, Director - Appointed by City of Los Angeles Mayor

Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority - Director

Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Governance Boardmember - Appointed by Speaker of the Assembly

Council for Watershed Health, Member

Upper LA River Watershed Area Steering Committee, Member, Appointed by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis

Upper San Gabriel River Watershed Area Steering Committee, Vice-Chair, Appointed by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis

Community Nature Connection, Boardmember

Water Education for Latino Leaders, Founding Boardmember

Proposition O Community Oversight Advisory Committee, Member, Appointed by City of Los Angeles Mayor

Pacoima Beautiful, Boardmember

Vincent Price Art Museum, Boardmember

Cultural Equity & Inclusion Advisory Committee - Member, LA County Department of Arts & Culture, Appointed by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis

Upper LA River & Tributaries Working Group, Member, Appointed by Speaker of the Assembly

LA Development Fund, Advisory Board Member – Appointed by City of Los Angeles Mayor


 

Brigette Calderon, Engagement Director

Brigette Calderon.JPG

“Taking the time to understand the relationships and the connections to spaces that people have and the history around these spaces are essential to engaging community.”

Brigette Calderon was born and raised in Los Angeles. Raised by a single mother she always strived to be independent and determined to do her best in anything she sets her mind to.

She started her career working as an intern for Los Angeles City Councilmember Ed P. Reyes under his environmental sector. There she got to experience the day-to-day City Hall operations but also work on the pilot project for banning plastic bag use. Having studied Environmental Science in school she got to incorporate what she was passionate about and learn the behind the scenes of legislation and programs.

Ms. Calderon is an expert in working with the community at the grass-roots level and managing community engagement staff and projects. She can work with community members, business leaders, and elected officials alike. Brigette handles all outreach logistics from coordinating sponsorships, staffing booths at events, event planning, constituency building and stakeholder project education.

PROJECT EXPERIENCE