Driven by purpose. United by service. Focused on community impact.
What is it about The Ortiz Group’s mission and vision that resonates with you? The way the Ortiz Group focuses on helping people and improving the lives of low-income Californians.
What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization? As the founder, I bring a vision that the employees of the company have made a reality.
When you’re not at The Ortiz Group what can we find you doing? Working out.
What does energy equity / decarbonization / community work mean to you? It means people first. Everything we do must benefit our customers.
What’s something people might not expect about your role? My team makes my job very easy.
If you could have a magic power, what would it be? Reading people's minds.
What is it about The Ortiz Group’s mission and vision that resonates with you? Representation matters, along with a company's vision. I appreciate the foresight TOG has in the spaces we operate, and look forward to continuing to build The Ortiz Brand advocating and servicing our low-income communities in our beautiful state.
What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization? I am an equity-focused Program Manager at The Ortiz Group, where I lead the design and implementation of clean energy initiatives that expand access to decarbonization programs for low-income and disadvantaged communities across California. My work focuses on ensuring that the benefits of the clean energy transition reach the households and communities that have historically been underserved.
I play a key role in the Equitable Building Decarbonization (EBD) Direct Install Program, supporting program development throughout Northern California while overseeing team operations, community-based partnerships, and workforce development strategies. I also contributed to the design of the California Market Transformation Administrator (CalMTA) initiative and serve as a Subject Matter Expert supporting equity integration and program strategy.
In addition, I support business development efforts, strategic communications, and legislative advocacy initiatives, helping advance a more inclusive, equitable, and community-centered clean energy future.
Outside of work, you can usually find me tending to my garden, spending time with my family, or finding opportunities to unplug and enjoy life away from a screen.
When you’re not at The Ortiz Group what can we find you doing? Outside of work you can usually find me gardening, spending time with family, or running after my crazy child.
What does energy equity / decarbonization / community work mean to you? Energy equity, decarbonization, and community work all come down to making sure the clean energy transition actually works for the people who have historically been left out of it. To me, it’s not just about reducing emissions, it’s about improving real living conditions for households. That means healthier & safer homes, better air quality, more stable and affordable energy bills, systems that people can actually navigate and trust-a higher quality of life. In practice, it means designing programs that meet communities where they are, working through trusted local partners, removing barriers to access, and making sure solutions are tailored, not one-size-fits-all. A big part of my work is ensuring that decarbonization isn’t something done to communities, but something built with them, where their needs, experiences, and voices shape how programs are delivered.
What’s something people might not expect about your role? The level of customer service it requires, being a nice person is not a gift, it is a skill built over years.
If you could have a magic power, what would it be? My magic power if chosen would be to have the ability of being invisible.
What is it about The Ortiz Group’s mission and vision that resonates with you? The Ortiz Group’s commitment to aligning operational execution with high-level state climate goals deeply resonates with my professional journey. I am particularly drawn to the firm's focus on building electrification. Having spent over a decade navigating the complexities of the legislative and regulatory branches in California, I value an organization that doesn't just theorize about decarbonization but actively bridges the gap between technical field data and high-level strategy to ensure no community is left behind.
What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization? I bring over ten years of experience in government affairs and public policy specifically within the clean energy sector. My background includes: • Regulatory & Legislative Experience: Proven success working with agencies like the CPUC, CEC, and ARB, as well as the California State Legislature. • Program Management: Experience managing multi-million dollar energy budgets and leading cross-functional teams to implement complex programs, such as distributed energy resources and summer grid reliability. • Strategic Advocacy: A track record of influencing billions in clean energy investments and securing critical tax incentives through strategic partnerships with industry leaders and community-based organizations. • Technical Communication: The ability to translate complex diagnostic results and policy shifts into actionable insights for diverse audiences.
When you’re not at The Ortiz Group what can we find you doing? Outside of the energy world, I prioritize quality time with my husband, family, and friends. We love exploring the local food scene, with a particular affinity for Chinese cuisine. I’m also an avid traveler and movie buff. On the weekends, you’re likely to find me staying active and embracing a bit of nostalgia on roller skates.
What does energy equity / decarbonization / community work mean to you? To me, these aren't just buzzwords; they represent a fundamental shift in how we power our lives. Decarbonization is the technical mission, but energy equity is the moral compass. It means ensuring that the transition to clean energy—like heat pumps and induction cooking—is accessible and affordable for everyone, especially marginalized communities. True community work involves facilitating technical working groups where stakeholder feedback directly informs program improvements, ensuring that environmental justice is built into the framework of every initiative.
What’s something people might not expect about your role? People might be surprised by the sheer amount of "field-to-floor" translation involved. One day I might be on the ground executing a multi-layered field protocol designed to capture technical, operational, and behavioral data and the next, I’m translating that data into policy recommendations for regulators. It’s a constant balancing act between being deep in the technical weeds and staying high-level in the regulatory atmosphere.
If you could have a magic power, what would it be? Teleportation. Between site visits for residential electrification pilots and meetings at the State Capitol, being able to bypass the commute would give me more time to focus on solving the grid's most complex challenges—and more time on my roller skates!
What is it about The Ortiz Group’s mission and vision that resonates with you? The multi-level and diversity of experienced subject matter expertise that works together to improve positive outcomes for California's low-income and ESJ community stakeholders.
What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization?Federal, state and local community program and operations management expertise. Empathy-lead engagement skills that facilitate coalition building and collaborative work.
When you’re not at The Ortiz Group what can we find you doing? Gardening, body boarding in the ocean, and spending time with my family and community. On multiple occasions I have been known to be visiting anyplace with a good banh minh sandwich or al pastor taco!
What does energy equity / decarbonization / community work mean to you? It has meant ensuring that the transition to a clean energy economy does not repeat the systemic mistakes that preceded it. We do this by incorporating equity into the planning, implementation, and evaluation stages of the work we do. Additionally, I seek to provide and implement decarbonization solutions and workforce opportunities through participatory engagement and co-creation with the communities we work with.
What’s something people might not expect about your role? That we are also translators between all of the different stakeholders, not just in spoken language but also in goals, specific barriers and opportunities.
If you could have a magic power, what would it be? To speak all the languages of the world, at least semi-fluently.
What is it about The Ortiz Group’s mission and vision that resonates with you? Being deeply rooted in community, I love that the Ortiz Group focuses on building real, trusted relationships to help low-income communities get ahead. I’m here to apply everything I’ve learned - both in my career and my personal life. I believe knowledge is one of the most powerful investments we can make, and I’m driven to help create opportunities for others to grow and thrive.
What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization? I bring a well-rounded perspective shaped by hands-on, grassroots experience across the full lifecycle of program delivery—from community outreach to installations, operations, and training. This range allows me to connect strategy with execution and support teams across functions. I’m grateful to contribute a versatile skill set that helps drive meaningful, community-centered impact wherever it’s needed.
When you’re not at The Ortiz Group what can we find you doing? Spending time building memories with my loved ones—whether it’s at sporting games, music events, traveling, or hosting carne asadas. I’m most at home when I’m surrounded by family and closest friends.
What does energy equity / decarbonization / community work mean to you? Empowerment. It’s making sure people have real access to the resources, knowledge, and opportunities I once had to figure out the hard way. Having lived it, I’m committed to helping others move forward with support, dignity, and a path to something better.
What’s something people might not expect about your role? How much my role extends beyond my title. I lead with a community-rooted approach—stepping in wherever needed to support our mission, whether in strategy, operations, or on the ground. I see leadership as service, and I’m committed to doing what it takes to move the work forward and support the team.
If you could have a magic power, what would it be? I’m a savory foodie at heart, so I’d say a bottomless appetite with no consequences. I never want to miss out on good food or good company, because some of the best connections, ideas, and stories are shared around the table.
What is it about The Ortiz Group’s mission and vision that resonates with you?: Working and Providing Energy Education to Low Income Families. Creating that Family space Internally and to the communities!
What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization? Electrical Engineering, Data Analyst, Energy Auditing, AI Automation, Go Getter Mentality
When you’re not at The Ortiz Group what can we find you doing? Streaming, and Building an Esports Call Of Duty Organization for both Men & Women! (Aim2Dominate)
What does energy equity / decarbonization / community work mean to you?: Providing ill-informed community members with better education that will help them be comfortable in their home, help the homeowners understand where their money & usage goes, and ultimately decarbonization of the carbon footprint in California!
What’s something people might not expect about your role? A lot of Coding... A lot of Caps to fill and to wear.
If you could have a magic power, what would it be? Click my heels 3 times, and appear/travel anywhere I can imagine, also transport items/people with me.
What is it about The Ortiz Group’s mission and vision that resonates with you? I resonate with The Ortiz Group’s focus on helping communities access clean, affordable energy in a way that is practical and understandable. I appreciate work that reduces barriers, builds trust, and helps residents make informed decisions about their homes.
What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization? Brings real world, hands-on experience in the trades, residential electrification, building diagnostics, code compliance, and workforce development. Strength is taking complex field conditions and program requirements and distilling them into clear next steps for residents, contractors, and project teams.
When you’re not at The Ortiz Group what can we find you doing? Playing cello. Taking long walks. Reading fantasy or Sci-Fi. Journaling. Researching some new topic that peaks my interest.
What does energy equity / decarbonization / community work mean to you? Energy equity means making sure clean energy improvements are available to the people who often face the biggest barriers to accessing them. Decarbonization should make homes healthier, more efficient, and more affordable to live in without compromising on quality.
What’s something people might not expect about your role? That "sales" and persuasion is a bigger part of my role than you might think, and how difficult it can be to convince someone to receive something expensive at no cost to them financially.
If you could have a magic power, what would it be? Distillation - reducing something complex to its clearest, simplest form.
What is it about The Ortiz Group’s mission and vision that resonates with you? Helping to improve people home!
What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization? EPA 608, Cal OSHA, and Safety
When you’re not at The Ortiz Group what can we find you doing? Golfing and Fishing
What does energy equity / decarbonization / community work mean to you? Creating and changing the community living style while saving money.
What’s something people might not expect about your role? Someone with a goal to help other build a health home.
If you could have a magic power, what would it be? Rewinding time
What is it about The Ortiz Group’s mission and vision that resonates with you? The Ortiz Group's commitment to advancing clean energy in a way that is community-driven and equitable. I truly value that the organization prioritizes outreach and inclusion, ensuring that underserved and underrepresented communities have access to the resources and benefits of energy efficiency programs.
What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization? I bring experience in community outreach and engagement, particularly working with underserved communities to increase access to energy programs. I hold a Master’s in Public Policy, which has strengthened my understanding of how policy design and implementation impact communities on the ground. In my role, I’ve built relationships with community-based organizations, facilitated trainings, and developed bilingual (English/Spanish) materials to ensure information is accessible and culturally relevant. I also have experience supporting participant intake, coordinating home assessments, and managing data through platforms like Salesforce and ORCA. Overall, I bring a strong commitment to equity, clear communication, and the ability to translate technical program and policy details into information that communities can easily understand and trust.
When you’re not at The Ortiz Group what can we find you doing? You can usually find me outdoors. I love hiking and spending time in nature. I also enjoy cooking, workout out, and spending quality time with people I love.
What does energy equity / decarbonization / community work mean to you? It's about building a future where no one is left behind. To me, it's more than reducing GHG emissions. It is about restoring dignity, improving health, and creating real opportunities for families who have historically been overlooked. It's about ensuring that the benefits of clean energy (e.g., safer homes, lower bills, and better quality of life) reach the people who need them the most. Community work is at the heart of that, because REAL change only happens when we listen, build trust, and show up consistently for the people we honorably serve.
What’s something people might not expect about your role? People might assume my role is mostly administrative or technical, but a large (and most meaningful) part of it is actually people-centered. I spend a lot of time connecting with participants, listening to their concerns, and translating complex information into something that feels clear and approachable. Building trust is really at the core of the work, and sometimes that means having conversations over a cup of coffee or a meal they kindly offer.
If you could have a magic power, what would it be? I'd probably choose the ability to instantly absorb knowledge, like downloading information straight into my brain. I think it would be powerful to continuously learn and apply that knowledge in meaningful ways.
What is it about The Ortiz Group’s mission and vision that resonates with you? The mission’s focus on equitable access to clean energy and advocacy for underrepresented communities strongly aligns with the impact I aim to contribute to. Its commitment to sustainability and social impact reflects my focus on improving overall quality of life.
What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization? A combination of expertise, problem-solving skills, and experience working on projects that intersect sustainability and community engagement, with strengths in data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and a strong motivation to create positive impact.
When you’re not at The Ortiz Group what can we find you doing? Reading, hiking, gardening, and exploring new places.
What does energy equity / decarbonization / community work mean to you? Energy equity and decarbonization mean building a clean energy future that’s inclusive, affordable, and addresses systemic disparities.
What’s something people might not expect about your role? Bridging complex technical ideas and real-world understanding through clear communication and collaboration.
If you could have a magic power, what would it be? Instantly linking people and resources to areas of need, accelerating solutions and breaking down barriers in real time.
What is it about The Ortiz Group’s mission and vision that resonates with you? The Ortiz Group’s mission and vision resonate with me because I value the mission they strive to accomplish—advancing energy equity and expanding access to clean, efficient technologies for underserved communities. Their focus on creating meaningful, community-centered impact aligns with the importance of ensuring that all households—regardless of income or background—can benefit from sustainable solutions and a healthier, more resilient future.
What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization? I bring a strong background in program assistance, client communication, and operational support, with experience managing invoices, and outreach efforts. My skills include attention to detail, organization, and the ability to coordinate across teams. I also have experience supporting energy efficiency and electrification initiatives, which aligns with The Ortiz Group’s focus on advancing equitable access to clean energy solutions for underserved communities.
When you’re not at The Ortiz Group what can we find you doing? Mostly enjoying time with family. Second I enjoy arts & crafts
What does energy equity / decarbonization / community work mean to you? I primarily enjoy spending quality time with my family, and I also have a interest in arts and crafts.
What’s something people might not expect about your role? Something people might not expect about my role is the level of coordination and detail involved behind the scenes—balancing multiple priorities like invoicing, tracking budgets, and organizing training, all while ensuring smooth communication across teams and supporting the team.
If you could have a magic power, what would it be? My magic power would be the ability to create world peace—fostering understanding, unity, and harmony so that all people can live safely and respectfully alongside one another.
What is it about The Ortiz Group’s mission and vision that resonates with you? I resonate with the idea of putting work into action and following through with it, while learning as you go. Given that TOG has a wide range of projects at different levels in the field, I resonate with their vision to think about the environment while thinking about solutions that consider people who have historically not been included when improving an environmental issue.
What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization? I am very knowledgeable with community work and am very interested in merging the technical work with the community work to facilitate communication amongst both fields. Studying Landscape Architecture at UC Berkeley has taught me the advantages of combining technical work with liberal arts to better tell a story of how a project could come to life.
When you’re not at The Ortiz Group what can we find you doing? I'm learning how to swim, attempting to cook one of my mom's delicious recipes, or out and about hanging out with my friends.
What does energy equity / decarbonization / community work mean to you? Because energy equity, decarbonization, and community can work simultaneously, they are an attempt for social and environmental justice. Working for equitable solutions encourages me and gives me hope to continue to want to learn about how this type of work can function in different environmental justice fields.
What’s something people might not expect about your role? It’s uncommon to expect how much interns can remember given the versatility of the role.
If you could have a magic power, what would it be? I would want to have gravity magic where I could control its direction and strength, and float when I can.
Meet Valentina
What is it about The Ortiz Group’s mission and vision that resonates with you? I value their commitment to equity, which aligns with my passion for supporting underserved communities.
What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization? I bring experience in program coordination, along with strong organizational skills and a commitment to serving underserved communities.
When you’re not at The Ortiz Group what can we find you doing? When I’m not at The Ortiz Group, you can usually find me enjoying quality time with my family.
What does energy equity / decarbonization / community work mean to you? Energy equity, decarbonization, and community work mean ensuring all communities—especially underserved populations—have access to clean, affordable energy solutions, with a strong emphasis on reaching those historically overlooked.
What’s something people might not expect about your role? How much coordination and behind-the-scenes problem-solving it involves to keep projects running smoothly and effectively.
If you could have a magic power, what would it be? If I could have a magic power, it would be to end poverty and ensure everyone feels valued, supported, and truly equal.
Meet Alexander
What is it about The Ortiz Group’s mission and vision that resonates with you? What resonates with me about The Ortiz Group’s mission is the emphasis on creating real access and opportunity for communities that are often overlooked. It feels meaningful to be part of something that can have a real effect on people’s lives and help create opportunities in communities that need them.
What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization?I bring a strong work ethic, motivation, and an eagerness to learn. I’m willing to take on new challenges, ask questions, and keep improving. I’m excited to continue learning through this role and contribute in any way I can, as we work to create meaningful opportunities and support our communities.
When you’re not at The Ortiz Group what can we find you doing? When I’m not at The Ortiz Group, you can usually find me wrestling. As a collegiate wrestler, a significant portion of my time outside of work is spent training, competing, and continually improving in the sport.
What does energy equity / decarbonization / community work mean to you? To me, energy equity, decarbonization, and community work mean making sure that progress actually reaches and benefits real people. What matters most to me is helping assist in creating real opportunities and improving people’s lives.
What’s something people might not expect about your role? Something people might not expect about my role is how much I get to learn by being involved in different parts of the work. Whether it’s research, organization, or project support, I’m happy to contribute wherever I’m needed.
If you could have a magic power, what would it be? If I could have a magic power, I would choose bullet time. I think it would be cool to slow everything down, react in the moment, and perceive what’s happening as it happens.
Meet Tomas
What is it about The Ortiz Group’s mission and vision that resonates with you? The passion and commitment to be there for those that need our support.
What expertise, skills, and experience do you bring to the organization? I have over 30 years of working in the energy efficiency field.
When you’re not at The Ortiz Group what can we find you doing? Enjoying wonderful music and wine with friends.
What does energy equity / decarbonization / community work mean to you? We as a society of diverse people should always assure ALL have access to what they need.
What’s something people might not expect about your role? I often think outside the box to find solutions to the issue at hand. I view challenges as opportunities rather than problems.
If you could have a magic power, what would it be? The ability to create energy from nothing.