Paula Stigler, MSPH

The San Diego Foundation/Pala Band of Mission Indians

San Diego, CA 92106     

Biography

Paula Stigler has been working with the tribal communities of Southern California and Baja California for over 6 years. She is implementing a tribal environmental health collaborative with The San Diego Foundation as well as serves as a liaison for a water infrastructure project in Baja California indigenous communities which is being sponsored by the Pala Band of Mission Indians. Paula also serves as the tribal co-chair for the San Diego/Tijuana Air Quality Taskforce and has recently finished her master's degree in environmental health sciences at San Diego State University with a special focus on environmental issues and indigenous cultures.

Leadership Development Opportunities

This experience with the Environmental Public Health Leadership Institute (EPHLI) has provided me with skills and knowledge that will be invaluable to me in implementing environmental health programs with tribes and other communities now and in the future. Being overwhelmed with an environmental health disaster in the middle of my fellowship proved to be very challenging, yet I had already been provided through EPHLI with the skills necessary to properly address the emergency. I was able to utilize materials, other fellows and my mentor during the disaster and found that EPHLI was not just a program but a true network of environmental health experts. This program helped me to understand what type of leader I truly am and how best to improve on my weaknesses and enhance my strengths. It has been an honor to participate in such a prestigious program with such a wonderful group of people.