Our Team
Liz - Founder
Chef & founder at Santosha Nutrition, Liz has a passion for plant-based cuisine, regenerative agriculture and fighting food waste. After working in the hospitality industry for almost 10 years, it became clear that Liz needed to become part of the solution instead of the problem. Liz went back to school and achieved certificates in Plant Based Nutrition and Health & Wellness from eCornell before transitioning from hotel sales to a position with Imperfect Foods where she learned about food waste and ways to fight it. Santosha is a Sanskrit word that means contentment, and that is her goal: for the planet, for the community and for all. Liz believes that eating more plants and teaching others to be a positive part of their local food system is the best way to impact change. Sustainability is Sexy is just another way to support organizations and individuals working towards a healthier, happier planet.
Stephanie - Board of Directors
A second generation San Diegan, ‘Recycle Lady', worm mom, food waste fanatic, & reusable cup collector, Stephanie Morris was raised by a family of green thumbs & shamelessly thrifty people. An early respect for nature grew into a passion for sustainable living while earning a degree & teaching credential from San Diego State.
Post-graduation, a summer job at Jimbo’s in 2018 became an opportunity for a career. Stephanie pivoted and joined the Jimbo’s team full-time in Marketing, then as the company’s first Sustainability Coordinator in 2020. Questions & ideas she had about going greener in grocery became hers to answer & make reality!
Stephanie finds joy in exploring the wide world of "waste", connecting with nature, and illuminating how truly everyone is an environmentalist in some shape or form. She can often be found enjoying local food and drink, beach-combing, shopping small or speaking at Encinitas Toastmasters.
Fio - Board of Directors, Community Outreach Coordinator
Fiorella Rossel Borkert is a creative upcycler, product designer, and production & product development specialist with an urge to find plastic waste solutions through fashion and other innovative outlets. She is a craft beverage enthusiast and a never-ending learner. Fio is also cofounder and the designer of The Bountiful Bag Upcycling Program. Their mission is to rescue [unrecyclable] plastic waste from the beer and entertainment industries and turning them into durable, functional and fashionable products. They donate a percentage of their profits to I Love A Clean San Diego and other nonprofit organizations chosen by their contributors.
Her goal is to gather businesses and communities together through the power of SIS, while educating and creating awareness about the plastic crisis, food waste, and labor laws without judgement and with all the care in the world.
Shane - Board of Directors
Shane Coopersmith grew up surfing in Carlsbad, California where his love for everything sustainable started at a very young age. Everything from beach cleanups to volunteering at local environmental organizations to just planting his own garden were his passions & purpose to protect our planet. He wanted to be a part of something bigger so he went off to study Sustainable Design at UC Berkeley. It was here in college where he had some serious brain blasts and Sustainable Shane began to evolve.
Today, Shane spends his days in San Diego as an Environmental Educator. He loves catching waves in Carlsbad and teaching about our planet. Shane also spends as much time in the garden as he does in the water. He created Sustainable Shane to help spread awareness about sustainability and share tips on how to live a happier, healthier, eco-friendly lifestyle!
Marissa - Board of Directors
Marissa Acosta is a Zero Waste & Sustainability Specialist with a background in Environmental Science and Higher Education Administration and Leadership. Through her current role she helps educate the campus community on the importance of sustainability and zero waste. She is passionate about all things sustainability and is constantly looking to expand her knowledge on ways to be more sustainable and implement it in her life. In her home town she worked with other community organizations like the local Earth Day organization, Citizens Climate Lobby, and Charge Across Town. She’s looking forward to working with likeminded individuals in the San Diego community on the sustainability and environmental justice movement through SIS. Marissa hopes to expand people's knowledge and understanding of sustainability and zero waste while also creating a reliable network of sustainability leaders. In her free time she likes to read, visit different beaches, and try new hobbies like aerial silks or pottery.
Alexandra - Board of Directors
Alexandra Regan has always been passionate about the environment. From a very young age, she felt a deep connection with our natural world and a desire to protect wild places. Alexandra is especially interested in the connection between personal wellness and planetary health. She has volunteered with organizations such as Sierra Club, and Coastkeeper, and most recently spent two years as the Co-Chair of the Food & Soil Committee for San Diego 350. She likes to spend her free time outdoors; gardening, camping, birding, hiking, and exploring new places!