Meet Diego J. Cancel | Program Coordinator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Diego J. Cancel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diego J., what role has risk played in your life or career?
One of the biggest risks I took in my life and career was leaving a City job to work for a non-profit, Dream In Green (DIG). It has also been one of the biggest blessings. DIG likes to emphasize that our natural environment is connected. As such, things that affect any part of our environment; our oceans, natural areas, animal/plant biodiversity – will affect us at home. Long term risks range from extinction of species to sea level rise making homes inhabitable. That being said, if we all work together we can make a difference and keep these things from happening.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Later moved to Raleigh, NC where I graduated with a BS in Environmental Technologies & Management, but throughout my career I had already been doing environmental education on the side. Eventually, after working for the EPA for two years, I took a leap and moved to Miami and worked for a City. I realized I was not made for the slow progress and all the red tape that it involves so I moved to the non-profit sector with Dream In Green where I am now and I love it. The economic aspect was never easy to cope with, but I worked multiple jobs when I moved to Miami to be able to overcome that. One of the best lessons I have learned is that asking for help is never a sign of weakness. It is a sign that you understand you can learn and grow as a person. What I would want the world to know is that we are all in this together. Together we can change the world for the better.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Anyone that visits Miami should for sure visit El Bori Food truck (https://www.instagram.com/elborifoodtruck/) to get the best Puertorican food in Miami and Akashi Japanese Restaurant (5830 S Dixie Hwy, South Miami, FL 33143) to get the best sushi. I would recommend more isolated beaches like Haulover as opposed to South Beach. Wynwood is a nice spot to check out with plenty of bars, but I love Wynwood Brewing company the most.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
If I have to shout anyone out it would be Dream in Green because they have given me the opportunity to do what I love, which is to educated people on topics like water & energy conservation and sustainability to help save our planet. My brother Benjamin Ivan deserves recognition too for always believing in me and helping me move forward no matter what.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamingreenmia/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-cancel-sustainability/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreamingreen