Leslie Quintanilla

Leslie Quintanilla’s (PhD in Ethnic Studies, Certificate in Critical Gender Studies UC San Diego) grassroots organizing and research praxis focuses on contemporary issues related to transnational borderland activisms, including women-of-color feminist artivism, environmental justice and climate change activism, and cross-diasporic solidarities. Broadly, her long-term interests include: Zapatismo, US///Mexico border(s), Italian & Mediterranean border(s), climate change, and movement organizing.    

She is a co-founder of the Center for Interdisciplinary Environmental Justice (CIEJ), a collective of activists, academics, scientists, and artists working for decolonial environmental justice efforts trans-locally. Currently, the CIEJ is working alongside Indigenous communities to combat lithium mining driven by electrification economies. 

Prior to joining SF State, Quintanilla taught in Chicanx Studies at San Diego City College.