Leila Eliares is the Communications and Outreach VISTA for Hawaiʻi Green Growth where she assists in storytelling, bringing communities together, and advocating for more sustainable practices. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Leila developed an interest in ocean conservation which led her to complete a B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Management from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Leila has previously worked with the U.S. Geological Survey to create a literary database containing information on freshwater hydrology throughout the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands. In her current role, Leila hopes to create a more sustainable future while continuing to make connections with the people, land, and waters around her.