Teresa, with three other Indigenous women established a non-profit, the Native Coast Action Network to assist West Coast Indigenous communities build capacity and assist in implementing cultural and traditional ecological initiatives. Teresa Romero formerly served as the Environmental Director for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash. Teresa has spent many years working in Tribal community, Mental Health advocacy and Non-Profit Arts. Originally from Montecito, Teresa has deep ties and history in Santa Barbara County. Teresa has deep experience in building partnerships, collaborations, and relationships across diverse communities. Teresa is an enrolled member of the Coastal Band of Chumash and traces her Chumash lineage to the villages of Tipu and Shalawa. Teresa is a member Syuxtun Plant Collective, a Traditional plant collective focusing on tending, gathering and preparation of traditional plants. Teresa serves on local Boards of the Land Trust for Santa Barbara, The Wilderness Youth Project, the Central Coast Joint Venture and the Executive Committee for the Central Coast Climate Justice Network. Teresa enjoys spending time at the ocean, traditional gathering, sharing time with her family and with Community.