To accelerate change and global impact by supporting science-based climate solutions, enhancing education, and improving health.
A planet where all beings are ensured access to a sustainable and clean environment, health services, and education.
We believe that developing and sharing knowledge through facts and data accelerates positive global change. Through original research and analysis, and in collaboration with philanthropic and academic partners, we aim to enrich the lives of individuals, strengthen communities, and educate future generations. We track our progress using a variety of qualitative and quantitative approaches and we support programs that generate measurable, meaningful, and sustainable results.
Before co-founding VoLo Foundation in 2014, Thais Lopez Vogel spent years supporting public health and education programs through personal philanthropy. As she became more informed and observed evident changes in the environment and climate, she set out to answer difficult questions by funding projects aimed at addressing this major issue. A Venezuelan-born attorney, Thais is the visionary and heartbeat of VoLo. Over the years, she has brought together some of the brightest minds and put their scientific expertise to work.
We are scientists, lawyers, philanthropic professionals, community leaders, and innovative thinkers. Half of us quantify the research and results and the other half interact with the community. We are deeply passionate about the health and wellness of our planet and we believe that data-driven research can accelerate change in our world.
“Thais is a powerhouse for change. She sets goals and achieves them with intelligent passion.”
A passionate advocate for climate solutions, Thais Lopez Vogel is an attorney and president of VoLo Foundation. Since 2014, she has become a champion of conservation organizations through her support of their work.
Thais created Climate Correction™ and Florida Climate Week™, making them the most important climate-focused events in the southeastern United States.
In 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2025, she was named one of the 100 Most Influential Latinos Committed to Climate Action. Her work also includes children’s education and global health care, which she believes are core building blocks for a sustainable future.
Thais credits her children with inspiring her to act now. “Some of the most important lessons are the ones I’ve learned from my children,” Lopez Vogel said. “Seeing them grow physically, socially, intellectually, and emotionally has added a new understanding to my journey in life. They will always be my inspiration, and I owe it to them to do everything in my power to secure and protect their future.”
Joanna serves as the Program Director at VoLo Foundation, working closely with the team to support our partners and track their progress.
She collaborates with the Communications and Creative teams to enhance the visibility and messaging of VoLo’s program partners.
In her previous role, she served as the program manager for the Water Conservation section at Orange County Utilities, where she diligently led and tracked their incentives programs to help conserve water in the Orlando area. Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and minored in geographic information systems from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Being born and raised in Florida, her love for nature and the beach inspires her work to preserve the environment.
Nicole serves as the Climate Action Program Officer and Director of Events at VoLo Foundation. She brings a wealth of experience in sustainability, holding a LEED Green Associate credential and a strong track record with environmental and nonprofit organizations such as ReThink Energy Florida and the Committee on Sustainability Assessment (COSA).
Nicole leads the development and execution of VoLo’s flagship events: Florida Climate Week and the conference Climate Correction, Florida’s premier climate action initiatives. Through these platforms, she curates programming, coordinates key partnerships, and mobilizes communities to drive impactful climate dialogue and solutions across the state.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Florida State University and holds a Master of Arts in Global Sustainability from the University of South Florida. As a dedicated mother, Nicole is deeply committed to creating a livable future for the next generation, with her work rooted in purpose and passion for climate action.
Sofia serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at VoLo Foundation, working with program partners and building innovative collaborations to advance climate and humanitarian solutions. With more than a decade of experience in philanthropy, international development and public relations, Sofia brings a strategic, relationship-driven approach to connecting funders, organizations and communities around shared goals.
Before joining VoLo, Sofia spent eight and a half years at The Nature Conservancy, working at the intersection of conservation and climate. Sofia holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and a master’s degree in public administration, both from Florida International University.
Born in Peru but raised in South Florida, she’s an avid outdoorsperson and lifelong conservationist. Sofia is driven by a deep commitment to protecting the natural places that sustain people and wildlife alike, and she’s a firm believer in the power of collective action to drive positive change for a healthier planet.
Shannon leads VoLo Foundation’s public-facing initiatives, working closely with the press, media, and strategic partners to amplify VoLo’s mission and impact. Hired at the foundation’s launch, she brought VoLo online and pioneered some of its most popular communications programs, including VoLo Climate News and the Climate Correction Podcast.
With over 20 years of communications experience, Shannon continues to drive high-impact campaigns, manage key media relations, and foster successful partnerships that expand VoLo’s reach and influence. She is an effective, entrepreneurial, and highly organized professional.
With over 20 years of experience in human resources, operations, and account management, Kim is a seasoned professional dedicated to driving organizational efficiency and employee success. Having worked in corporate settings, and local government offices, as well as currently serving at VoLo Foundation, she has a strong record of streamlining processes, implementing strategic initiatives, and enhancing operational performance.
Known for her dynamic leadership, business development, and strategic planning, Kim excels at identifying opportunities for process improvement and developing streamlined procedures that lead to measurable efficiency gains. With a passion for employee engagement and workplace culture, Kim is committed to fostering an environment that promotes loyalty, productivity, and long-term success.
As a recognized leader with a positive reputation for customer care and follow-up, she prioritizes first-class employee experiences while ensuring that business goals align with organizational growth and success.
Stephanie is an accomplished Communications professional with over 15 years of expertise in marketing and strategic communications. In her role at VoLo Foundation, she integrates communication strategies to elevate the organization’s mission, enhance brand visibility, and foster audience engagement through dynamic and impactful media strategies.
She leads the skilled Communications team in the organization’s initiatives, utilizing a multichannel marketing approach to strengthen messaging and expand reach by crafting a cohesive narrative that inspires action and drives results. With a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mississippi State University, she brings a strong educational background to her strategic approach to media.
A proud South Florida native, Stephanie is deeply committed to environmental preservation and sustainability. Known for her purposeful vision and expertise in maintaining brand integrity, Stephanie has been instrumental in advancing communication strategies and amplifying VoLo Foundation’s environmental initiatives.
Carlos earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from the Central University of Venezuela, his native country.
For 5 years he was the Editorial Coordinator of the corporate publications of the Shell global energy group in that country. Subsequently, he worked as a journalist in relevant print and audiovisual media.
He successfully ventured into playwriting and scriptwriting, winning awards for his work.
In 2013 he started working in the United States as a TV scriptwriter and was hired by the national Spanish-language network Telemundo, part of the NBCUniversal conglomerate, among other TV stations. He also established his own Communications and Marketing firm in South Florida.
Since 2020, Carlos has resided in Pittsburgh PA, where he was a correspondent for TVV. He currently collaborates as a reporter and columnist for various web news outlets and is the Senior Press and PR Director for VoLo Foundation.
Juan Miguel Lopez is VoLo Foundation’s Creative Coordinator, he works together with both the creative and communications teams to organize and create content for social media and events.
He studied Marketing at the Rey Juan Carlos University in Madrid, later completing an internship with WWF at their Madrid headquarters, where he began his professional career oriented towards nature and social well-being. Subsequently, he worked for the Red Cross in Madrid before finally joining VoLo Foundation to contribute everything in his power to the environment and nature.
Juan Miguel considers himself an empathetic person and capable of conveying a clear message to whoever it is directed at. He uses creativity and imagination to capture the ideas and messages he wants to communicate to the audience, thus simplifying the complexity of topics addressed daily in the field.
For him, every day is a new opportunity to bring positive change, to deliver and inform those interested in the values of the Foundation and the love for nature that he deeply feels.
Currently, he is the content creator for VoLo Foundation’s TikTok account, as well as part of the communications and digital marketing team since 2021.
Antonio studied photography, acting, and completed two semesters of communications at the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, as well as community management and marketing for social networks, in Caracas, the city where he was born. He has worked for brands and organizations in Venezuela, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and the United States.
Antonio considers himself a creative and artistic person who uses his skills to express, from his perspective, the personality of the brands, companies, and organizations he has worked for, to inform and communicate through visual content.
Antonio adopted a sustainable lifestyle with the purpose of providing guidance and inspiration through his example, aware that his generation will face serious repercussions if collective and immediate action is not taken. He believes that achieving a sustainable life is simple, involving paying attention to activities that could cause negative effects in the future, and making changes step by step, with the goal of achieving positive results for our well-being on this planet.
From his experience, achieving a sustainable life is easy. It involves becoming conscious of which of our actions could have negative effects in the future and recognizing the need for gradual changes. This approach aims to yield positive results for our future on this planet.
Antonio views himself as a spokesperson for the foundation’s legacy and loves sharing his knowledge about climate change with his family, friends, and followers.
Jenna Holleran is the Digital Communications Coordinator at VoLo Foundation, where she supports the communications team in promoting the Foundation’s initiatives and events.
Before joining VoLo, Jenna worked as a Product Manager at a marketing agency specializing in the ocean industry. She holds a Bachelor of Communications degree from Florida State University and gained hands-on experience through internships with the Leon County Communications Department and the nonprofit Leadership Florida.
With a background in content development and digital marketing, Jenna aims to advance the Foundation’s sustainability goals and create positive change within the community and beyond.
As VoLo Foundation’s Visual Content Creator, JC crafts impactful visual storytelling through photography and video to support the foundation’s mission of environmental education and awareness.
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, he discovered a passion for visual storytelling early in life. In fourth grade, during a school field trip to the Venezuelan Andes, his mother lent him a film camera. When the photos were developed, she was surprised to find not a single picture of his classmates. Instead, the roll was filled with striking images of landscapes, wildlife, and the natural world. That moment marked the beginning of a journey that would shape his career.
With over 13 years of experience as a photographer and videographer, JC has worked across diverse projects that combine his creative eye with his commitment to social development and community empowerment. His professional path reflects a deep-rooted belief in the power of images to tell meaningful stories and drive positive change.
Growing up in Caracas, JC was constantly immersed in nature through hobbies like hiking, biking, and surfing. These experiences nurtured his deep respect for the environment and continue to shape how he captures the world through his lens.
JC views visual storytelling as a powerful tool to educate and inspire action. At VoLo Foundation, he uses his creative skills to support the foundation’s mission of accelerating global impact through science-based climate solutions one frame at a time.
Venezuelan American journalist with a career spanning over three decades across print, digital media, and nonprofit organizations. Born in Caracas, she moved to the United States as a scholarship recipient from the Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho Foundation, earning her degree in Journalism from the University of Arizona in 1987.
As Editor at VoLo Foundation, she ensures that the organization’s content is informative, accurate, and aligned with its mission and vision on climate change, science, and sustainability. Throughout her career, she has worked as an editor and writer for various outlets, most recently at El Nuevo Herald, where she edited and wrote for the Local section. She was also a reporter for El Sentinel (Orlando and Fort Lauderdale editions) and MiamiDiario.com. In Venezuela, she collaborated for years with publications such as Business Venezuela (VenAmCham), Estampas (El Universal), Exceso, and Ocean Drive, specializing in food, wine, and travel journalism.
Her experience also includes institutional communications. She served as a press liaison for the Venezuelan Academy of Physical, Mathematics and Natural Sciences and its implementing partner, FUDECI, where she helped develop awareness and education campaigns focused on endangered species conservation, including the Arrau turtle and the Orinoco crocodile.
Gilberto was born in Caracas, Venezuela. At 18, he moved to Boston to begin a professional career in communications. After a year, he transferred to Miami to continue studies and graduated from Florida International University (FIU). From early on, Gilberto has been passionate about the power of communications as a tool to express ideas and drive meaningful change. That passion led him to VoLo Foundation, where he aims to keep sharing impactful messages and raising awareness about protecting our planet.
As a communications manager, Gilberto aspires to keep contributing ideas and knowledge while growing alongside coworkers, with the shared goal of creating meaningful impact for both people and the planet. Beyond a professional career, he also has a deep passion for music, working as a music producer and exploring everything related to audio and video creation. This creative side allows Gilberto to bring a unique perspective to communication projects, combining storytelling with sound and visuals to connect with audiences in meaningful ways.
Lisa Bergerand is a cybersecurity awareness and IT change management expert with more than a decade of experience leading communication, training, and transformation programs across global organizations. After serving as Cybersecurity Awareness and Training Lead at a renowned multinational, she became an independent consultant and now supports VoLo Foundation in strengthening its digital resilience through IT change management and cybersecurity initiatives.
Originally from France and a graduate of SKEMA Business School, Lisa now lives in the southwest of France. Alongside her work in digital education, she also creates and hosts wellness retreats. As both a cybersecurity advocate and wellness facilitator, she is deeply aligned with VoLo Foundation’s pillars of environment, health, and education, working to protect the planet that her children will inherit, promote physical and mental well-being, and ensure access to knowledge as a tool for empowerment.
As a Support Analyst at VoLo Foundation, I ensure users of computers and IT systems receive comprehensive care, facilitating seamless operation and resolving technical issues. My role encompasses system maintenance, user assistance, and technical troubleshooting to enhance our team’s productivity and efficiency.
Before stepping into the role of Support Analyst, I gained valuable experience as an IT intern at VoLo Foundation for six months. During this time, I developed a solid grasp in IT support, familiarizing myself with the organization’s systems and honing my skills in problem-solving and technical assistance. With their training, along with the hands-on experience, I have been well-equipped to effectively support our users and contribute to the Foundation’s mission. I am passionate about leveraging technology to create solutions aimed at driving positive change.
Christopher serves as a Senior Policy Analyst at VoLo Foundation, and for the past ten years has advised the trustees in the areas of research, policy, and strategy. He brings over thirty years of experience in nonprofit management and public policy research. He spent three years as a project manager and research associate in the health unit at RAND Corporation, where his work focused on clinical quality and performance measurement in health care. Prior to that, he worked at the Institute for Health Policy Solutions (IHPS) where he expanded affordable health coverage for working families in California. He also spent two years as an independent nonprofit management consultant in Boston, Mass. More recently, he served as Chief of Staff to the CEO at Voloridge Investment Management and Voloridge Health, a role that included providing executive leadership to the Research & Strategy Data Group. Christopher earned a Bachelor of Science in Linguistics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Master of Public Policy from the Goldman School at the University of California, Berkeley.
Cliff Schmidt serves as an Advisor on Impact Investment at VoLo Foundation, helping shape the foundation’s approach to deploying catalytic capital for social enterprises in low income countries.
From 2007 to 2023, Cliff founded and led Amplio Network, a nonprofit social enterprise that invented the Talking Book audio platform to deliver life-changing knowledge to nearly two million low-literacy learners, most of them women and girls, across 14 countries. VoLo Foundation served as Amplio’s anchor funder for over a decade, providing sustained support that made this scale possible. Today, Cliff directs AI initiatives for Voloridge Health, designing systems that apply large language models to improve individual well-being.
Cliff holds a Master of Science in computer science from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science from MIT.
