Mateo Garcia recently started as Visionary Manager for Zero Waste Providence. Growing up in North Kingstown, he developed a lifelong passion for the natural world. Through experiences in agroecological research and organic farming in the heart of Central Kentucky, he fell in love with the idea of circular economy and a more circular food system. Most recently, he worked as a data analyst with the Detroit Community Composting Collective Project, piloting a multi-tiered food waste diversion program in the city. In May 2026, Mateo graduated from the University of Michigan with an M.S. in Ecosystem Science and Management, and he is excited to take the practical and technical skills learned with his degree to bolster coming projects and outreach by ZWP. In his free time, Mateo enjoys hiking, volleyball, and playing harmonica.

Eva Touhey is a local expert in waste management and environmental behavior change best practices. She is a Rhode Island native, currently living in Newport, RI. In March 2024 she founded WasteNaut Consulting, a sustainability consulting firm that designs, implements and evaluates waste diversion and reduction programs for large scale events, private events, school districts and summer camps. She also works as the Sustainability Specialist for the North Kingstown School District, where she oversees the lunchroom composting and recycling programs for the district's eight schools. Eva has over eight years of experience working in the nonprofit sector, most recently with Clean Ocean Access, cultivating and leading community initiatives focusing on community composting and improving ocean health. She received a Master of Arts in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island and a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Music from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.