Raquel Garcia

Member group representative – Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision

Raquel Garcia joined the Environmental Council's board in 2021.

As the executive director of member group Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision, Garcia leads a team connecting residents to local environmental health policies that impact their health and the health of their southwest Detroit neighborhoods. The organization also works to strengthen local residents' civic engagement.

It's a reflection of the motivation behind Garcia joining the Environmental Council as a member group representative. She wants to help the organization connect with local people who will be impacted by the policy-making process the organization takes part in.

In addition to her board position, Raquel also serves on Detroit City Council’s Immigration Task Force, the Immigrant Support Services Committee, Michigan Food and Farming Systems, the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation's board and DTE’s Community Advisory Board.

Prior to her roles, Garcia directed housing and special projects for Global Detroit, an immigrant advocacy organization, and organized around immigrant rights for two other nonprofits. She also spent 15 years helping lead Wayne County Community College.

Rounding out Garcia’s professional experiences are a master’s degree in communication and media studies and a master of education in curriculum and instruction, both from Wayne State University.

When not working, Garcia can be found in a number of places across Michigan. She gardens at home, plants fruit trees off the beaten path for wildlife, takes part in an animal rescue resources network, and travels with friends up and down Michigan's coastal towns, from Lexington on Lake Huron to Point Mouillee on Lake Erie.