Candace was born in El Paso and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. She returned to El Paso at the age of sixteen to attend EPCC and later UTEP. She received a BA in art education from the University of Texas at El Paso and a MAE from Texas Tech University. She has taught art I, dual credit, and international baccalaureate art at El Dorado High School for 14 years. In 2016, Candace and her students received the honor of being the sole winners in the nation for a community service project that promoted environmentalism and art. This project, later called the It’s Your World Project, had community members collecting trash from the highway, cleaning/sorting it, then turning it into artwork. Local recycled art workshops were hosted in order to educate the public on environmental issues. A recycled art contest was also hosted, called Metamorphosis: Trash to Treasure. Chelsea Clinton visited El Paso twice in order to help Candace and her students raise awareness about this project. The cleanups, workshops, and art contest have continued to grow and receive community support. As a result of this, Candace and other community members decided to start a non-profit, Green Hope Project, to continue these endeavors. Candace believes that large-scale, positive change is possible when like-minded individuals come together and take action.

Zulema was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and raised in El Paso, Texas. In 2006 she graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a BFA including a concentration in graphic design and education. In the fall of 2006 she began teaching. As an art educator of 15 yrs at EPISD; she has taught art1, AP art studio 2d, AP art history, digital arts 1,2&3, UT onramps arts & entertainment technologies. Most currently she was the Fine Arts Communication Specialist for Socorro ISD, in El Paso, Texas.

Zulema feels that it's her awareness of the damage being caused to our environment, combined with her passion for art and teaching that compels her to take part in this venture. 

I was born in Liverpool, England, lived in El Paso from 1989 to 1995, and then moved to Princeton, NJ, for 22 years. I moved back to El Paso 6 years ago. I'm currently a registered nurse, working in clinical trials. I met Candace when she was raising money for the Bordalo mural project and instantly knew I wanted to help out and be a part of her amazing organization. I have been volunteering for a couple of years and was honored to be asked to join the board. 
Her events teach children about the environment and the negative effects that waste, trash/plastics can have. You never know what spark this will ignite in a child’s mind…the next generation of environmentalists.