Gustavo is the Workforce Initiatives Manager for the California Central Valley’s 18 County Climate Careers Program at Rising Sun Center for Opportunity. In this role, he oversees a youth workforce development program that provides youth with paid work experience and training in climate careers, including residential energy and water efficiency installations for underserved communities. His work focuses on expanding equitable access to clean energy transition jobs.

Since January 2023, Gustavo has also been an active member of the Global Shapers community, contributing to the Sacramento Hub as its Curator from 2024-2025. He leads Shred the Debt, an initiative aimed at buying and eliminating millions of dollars in medical debt across the United States. By raising community donations, the project aims to eliminate the debt instead of allowing it to go to collections.

Most recently, Gustavo co-founded and serves as President of Young Futures Forward, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth-led projects by providing a solid financial backbone and streamlining their management. The organization acts as a fiscal sponsor, removing operational hurdles so change-makers can focus on community impact.

Gustavo believes in leveraging existing systems and institutions to create meaningful change, a principle that drives both his professional and volunteer work.