Tampa Sister Cities is pleased to announce that Christian Leon has joined the Tampa International Diplomacy and Exchange Summit (TIDES) Operating Committee as Track Lead – Sustainability.
Christian brings a strong background in sustainability, public health, environmental health, community advocacy, and coalition-building. He first came to understand the importance of sustainability at a community scale while studying public health, with a focus on environmental health, at Boston University’s School of Public Health.
In his role with TIDES, Christian will help guide the summit’s Sustainability Track, supporting programming focused on environmental resilience, sustainable cities, the built environment, public health, water quality, coastal communities, and the shared challenges facing Tampa Bay and cities around the world.
Christian’s community work includes serving as the final Co-Chair of the Suncoast Rise Above Plastics coalition, which successfully worked in alliance with the business community to pass legislation in the City of St. Petersburg. His experience reflects a practical understanding of how sustainability efforts can move from awareness to collaboration, policy, and measurable community impact.
Christian has also been involved with networks of sustainability experts focused on the built environment, as well as those working to protect the health of local waters and the Tampa Bay estuary.
“Christian brings exactly the kind of community-centered sustainability experience TIDES needs as we build a summit designed to connect Tampa with the world,” said Alfred Goldberg, President of Tampa Sister Cities. “His leadership will help ensure that the Sustainability Track addresses real local and global challenges while highlighting the partnerships, ideas, and solutions that can help cities become more resilient.”
TIDES is being developed by Tampa Sister Cities to bring together leaders in international trade, diplomacy, education, innovation, sustainability, culture, and exchange. As Track Lead – Sustainability, Christian will work with the Operating Committee to help shape programming that connects Tampa Bay’s environmental priorities with international conversations about sustainability, resilience, and the future of cities.
