A compelling narrative of environmental advocacy rooted in personal experience and social justice.
Her Story
About Evelyn
Evelyn Barrera is a Environmental and Policy Advocate specializing in utility infrastructure, renewable energy, and environmental compliance. She currently supports commercial utility projects at Proven Connections Group, where she guides projects from application through meter set by coordinating with utility providers, contractors, engineers, and regulatory agencies. Her expertise includes project management, stakeholder coordination, permitting, and utility advocacy, helping deliver infrastructure projects that support sustainable and resilient communities. Prior to joining Proven Connections Group, Evelyn spent several years with Sunrun, where she managed residential solar projects and helped homeowners transition to renewable energy solutions. Throughout her career, she has developed experience working within highly regulated environments, combining technical project delivery with a strong understanding of environmental policy and utility systems. Her multidisciplinary background allows her to bridge planning, construction, regulatory compliance, and community-focused development. Evelyn earned a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and Planning from San Francisco State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Legal Studies in Environmental Law at Lewis & Clark Law School. Fluent in Spanish, she is passionate about sustainability, environmental stewardship, and expanding opportunities for future generations. As a first-generation Latina, she is committed to mentoring young women entering the industry and promoting resilience, authenticity, and service as the foundation for meaningful professional success.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Evelyn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience and perseverance. Throughout my journey, I have faced challenges and setbacks, but I have always remained committed to learning, growing, and moving forward. Every experience has strengthened my ability to adapt, continue learning on the job, and stay focused on achieving meaningful results.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to remain resilient and never give up. There will be obstacles and moments of self-doubt, but perseverance is what creates opportunities. As a first-generation Latina whose parents immigrated from Mexico, I understand what it means to overcome challenges. I have experienced failures along the way, but I never allowed them to define my future. Stay committed to your goals, continue learning, and trust that your persistence will lead you where you're meant to be.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is managing the complexity of utility and infrastructure projects. Every project involves multiple stakeholders, regulatory requirements, engineering reviews, and coordination across different teams. Successfully delivering projects requires strong communication, careful planning, and ensuring that designs accurately reflect field conditions. At the same time, these complexities create opportunities to improve collaboration, streamline project delivery, and build more efficient and sustainable infrastructure.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide both my professional and personal life are authenticity, resilience, and helping others. I believe in staying true to who I am, approaching every challenge with integrity, and using my skills to support others while creating positive outcomes for the communities and organizations I serve.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Evelyn
Closing the Gap-Environmental Injustice
Championing Environmental Justice for Marginalized Communities
My experience in the environmental field reflects my commitment to advocating for marginalized communities that are disproportionately affected by environmental injustice. Coming from a background where the odds were stacked against me, I know firsthand what it means to lack the access, equitable treatment, and opportunities often afforded to those from more privileged backgrounds.
My dedication to protecting the natural environment deepened in college, where I learned about systemic racism and the forces that shape inequality. Inspired by my environmental justice professor, I committed myself to learning how to improve people's quality of life, particularly for communities of color that are disproportionately impacted by environmental harm.
I spent two years advocating for renewable energy access in the Iron Triangle neighborhood of Richmond, California, a community known for facing significant air quality and public safety challenges. This experience strengthened my understanding of the complex relationship between environmental policy and social equity. It also shaped my values, my daily life, and the way I show up for others.
It deepened my empathy and compassion for all living things while challenging me to think critically about how I can better support my community and help build a more sustainable future for everyone who shares this planet.
My professional experience and commitment to environmental advocacy inspired me to pursue a Master of Environmental Law degree at Lewis & Clark Law School. As I continue my legal studies, I hope to make meaningful contributions to underserved communities by educating them about the financial and environmental benefits of renewable energy for their households. I also hope to inspire others to become advocates for environmental justice and to emerge as a leader in the field.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.