Hi! I am Sandra Ponce de León and I’m honored to be nominated for the Gitcoin Citizens round and proud to be a part of the ReFi movement as a proud Ocean Actionista and ReFi Warrior.

My journey began in 2017 during a month-long sailing trip through the Windward Islands. It was incredible and life altering, mostly because of the stark contrasts I encountered in almost every island we visited. Beautiful magical places on this earth but also so many dead white skeletal coral reefs. 😥

The stark reality of seeing and experiencing the environmental degradation humans have caused to the ocean pained me so much. It was then that I changed my course to be in service of the planet. My WHY are my nieces and nephews, and all of the children and future generations who deserve to truly experience the ocean's increble awe inspiring beauty, mysteries and peace.

Since then, I’ve dedicated my life to being solution oriented, finding - amplyfying and accelerating the growth of the technological innovations that have the power to regenerate the planet. I have been writing and amplyfing solutions for the planet for almost a decade and have been applying my extensive tech marketing and startup background to work in building a regenerative economy that heals both our planet and its communities.

I believe the solutions are within reach, we just need the motivation, funding, and momentum to make them happen. thankfully so much of that is happening in the ReFi community - you wonderful humans are the wind in my sails. 💗

My path led me to Tulum, a place rich in culture and natural beauty but fragile due to human development. Here, I found my Ocean Tribe and cofounded ReFi Tulum, where we are committed to elevating and accelerating solutions like plastic sequestration, ecological restoration, and activating and empowering our community to take postive action for the planet.

Here’s a look at my impact:

Launch of ReFi Tulum
ReFi Tulum has been a key focus. We have been activating our community and connecting with local partners to both reward people for planet positive work. I’ve led various initiatives in developing scalable solutions for ocean health and regeneration. Our initiatives are aimed at plastic neutrality, regenerative tourism and regenerative mobility with ReFi Rides. We have been on the ground activating our community and making real on the ground impact, making a difference in places like the precious and beautiful Sian Ka’an Biosphere.

Education and Growth
My commitment extends beyond action. I work daily to inspire others to join the ReFi revolution, hosting workshops, online courses and speaking at events about the intersection of Web3, climate, and community-based initiatives. I’ve mentored countless individuals, especially women, in adopting blockchain technology as a tool for empowerment and environmental stewardship. At the NFT Boutique in Tulum we host weekly workshops on AI, ReFi, Blockchain and crypto onboarding.

As part of my commitment to GROW the movement, I write regularly about ReFi topics in my column in Grit Daily and I believe passionately that ReFi is the FUTURE.

Operational Support
As a key team member in several ReFi projects and DAOS such as LETSGROWDAO, SolarpunkDAO, and Solarpunk Guild, I provide operational support, strategic guidance, and advocacy for our cause. My role at ReFi Tulum includes being a steward for our environmental projects, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring that every initiative aligns with our mission to create a circular economy.

Impact on Local Communities and Bioregions
I’ve been on the front lines of community engagement, from organizing beach cleanups in Tulum, to educating and onboarding my community into Gitcoin, ReFi and and ocean conservation. The joy of seeing people reconnect with nature drives me to continue this work. Each cleanup, each interaction, fosters a deeper connection with the Earth and nurtures a sense of responsibility for everyone involved. It can be quite a spiritual experience!

As I continue to grow this work, I firmly believe that our strength lies in collective action. Together, through ReFi, we can regenerate not just our environments but our relationships with one another and the planet 🌊

The launch of the ‘Fierce Feminine of ReFi’ NFT collective and collection serves as a platform for female artists of Tulum to gain global recognition, while contributing to a Tulum’s regenerative future. We see this collection as a jumping off point for each artist to gain a wider following in the web3 and digital space. Beyond their art, these women are performers, teachers, healers, guides, and fierce protectors of Pachamama, deeply committed to their communities and the planet.

We were pleased and honored to be chosen to launch this collection as part of Celosphere Summer and highlighted as collection with a positive cause.

The collection can be minted here and we would love your support of female artists and the ReFi cause in Tulum. thank you CELO

Alignment with the Regen Coordination Movement

I believe my contributions reflect my deep commitment to regenerating the planet and in accelerating the mission of regen coordination. I have been an active participant, voice and builder committed to merging ReFi, technology, and local action to amplify the impact of Web3 IRL.

I never knew how challenging this work would be, but also how deeply it feeds my soul. I have never been more grateful to do what I do and to connect with such a brilliant, vibrant community of changemakers who inspire me daily. I am truly blessed and thankful for any contribution, share or outreach you feel called to offer. 🙏🏼

Con mucho amor ❤️
Sandra