ABOUT ME

My love for storytelling began early, long before I had the language to articulate it. I was a full-fledged theatre kid with a huge personality and even bigger dreams, peaking in fifth grade as the Blue Fairy in Pinocchio and again in ninth grade as a tree in Into the Woods. While my raw performance talent may have plateaued early, my obsession with narrative never faded. Over time, I found myself increasingly drawn not to the spotlight itself, but to the behind-the-scenes work that makes film so powerful: the writing, the framing, the pacing, the decisions that quietly guide an audience’s emotions. I became fascinated by how stories are shaped before they ever reach the screen, and by who gets to shape them.

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As a woman of color, I understand deeply the importance of representation both in front of and behind the camera. Having a seat at the table where narratives are selected, casting decisions are made, and creative priorities are set feels essential, not optional. I am drawn to early, collaborative spaces where stories begin to take shape, where I can advocate for authenticity and nuance, and where what we create reflects people back to themselves in ways that feel honest rather than flattened or performative. My multicultural upbringing, spanning Cancún, the Bay Area, and Amsterdam, has given me a global perspective that makes me adaptable, open to new ideas, endlessly curious, and skilled at connecting with people from many different backgrounds.

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Growing up in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, fundamentally shaped the way I understand systems and storytelling. I watched tourism development rapidly reshape local ecosystems and communities, transforming coastlines and livelihoods while dominant narratives of progress and prosperity went largely unquestioned. Seeing the physical landscape change alongside the stories told about it made me realize that storytelling and sustainability are inseparable. The stories we tell determine what we protect, what we exploit, and what futures we imagine as possible. That awareness sparked my passion for creating media that not only reveals the urgency of environmental challenges, but also inspires care, curiosity, and meaningful action.

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I am currently studying at Yale College, pursuing an Environmental Studies degree with a self-directed concentration in Film and Media, alongside a certificate in Energy Studies. I recently returned from studying abroad in the University of Sydney’s Sustainability Program, where my academic interests deepened at the intersection of culture, environmental responsibility, and media industries. My education has taught me to approach film not only as an artistic medium, but as an industry embedded within economic, political, and ecological realities.

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As an aspiring environmentalist, filmmaker, and policymaker, I am deeply interested in how visual storytelling can model more responsible ways of living. I imagine productions that are both visually compelling and operationally intentional, where resource use is thoughtful, waste is reduced at every stage, and transportation and location choices align with the values embedded in the story itself. I am drawn to subtle worldbuilding details--electric vehicles quietly passing in the background, signage pointing toward recycling, regenerative futures woven naturally into on-screen environments. These details matter because they normalize care rather than instruct it.

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My academic and professional experiences have allowed me to explore these intersections in tangible ways. At Yale University Press, I manage multiple video projects each month from conception through publication across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. My work includes storyboarding, scriptwriting, editing, and content strategy, and has taught me how to juggle competing deadlines, maintain meticulous attention to detail, and communicate effectively across teams. As the sole undergraduate on the Environmental Film Festival at Yale marketing team, I coordinate logistics and develop outreach strategies in a fast-paced, collaborative festival environment. Last summer, I worked with Amsterdam Energie, where I translated complex sustainability research into accessible, engaging public-facing content. I wrote seven bilingual articles, designed a 13-page informational booklet, and presented research at community events. This experience built directly on my earlier work with Yale’s Visual Approaches to Global Health program in Johannesburg, where I helped create a documentary addressing food insecurity through sustainable farming practices in South Africa. Working on the ground reinforced my belief that storytelling can bridge cultural divides and make systemic issues legible without flattening lived experience.

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Above all, I am someone who brings energy, warmth, and intention into every space I enter. I am the person who will color-code a project tracker late at night because I want the entire team to feel supported and aligned, and also the one making people laugh in the room when the pressure builds. I notice when someone needs encouragement. I listen closely. I care deeply about equity, sustainability, and the people behind the work. Black Tomatoes is not just a blog to me. It is a reflection of how I move through the world: curious, critical, collaborative, and hopeful.

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This project has added immense value to my life, and I hope it offers something meaningful to yours as well. Please take a look around. Perhaps you’ll discover a story that stays with you, challenges you, or reminds you why storytelling matters so deeply.

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Read on and enjoy.

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— Sofia :)