Who We Are
Co-Directors
Johanna Iraheta
Chief Executive Officer
Johanna (Jo) Iraheta is a visionary educator, artivist, and community weaver based in Los Angeles. Passionate about creating innovative, somatic, and creative experiences, Johanna’s work focuses on intergenerational empowerment, healing, and resilience. As the founder of the LA Rooted Youth Leadership Program, co-founder of Roots in Motion Mobility Wellness Programs, and co-director of KARMA non-profit, she uplifts marginalized communities by integrating art, movement, theater, and storytelling to honor intellect, identity, and ancestral knowledge.
Johanna’s practice draws from healing arts and equity movements rooted in deep connections to flora, fauna, and the urban wilderness. From leading bike journeys and pop-up street activations to fostering plant medicine relationships and wilderness skills, she brings experiential and unconventional pedagogy to life across LA’s diverse cityscape.
With a Master of Arts in Teaching from USC, a B.A. from Cal State Northridge, certifications as a Wilderness and Outdoors Educator, a Sierra Club Wilderness Outings Leader, and a League of American Cyclists Instructor, Johanna embodies lifelong learning and leadership. She is dedicated to building vibrant, inclusive communities through creativity, storytelling, and nature-based resilience.
Woodsin (Woody) Joseph-Sandberg
Chief Financial Officer
Woody was born and raised in rural North Idaho playing in the dirt and loving nature. His mother Frances, daughter of immigrant parents, was raised in Los Angeles and still resides in the home where she grew up. Woody graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in Environmental Science and has been advocating for bicycles as a form of transportation, environmental protection, social justice and a sustainable future. While living in Los Angeles Woody became very involved with the do it yourself bicycle repair movement and became heavily involved with the shaping of Bici Libre from its inception and is one of the founders of Los Angeles Rooted. He also worked at the Youth Empowerment Project(YEP) full time for over 6 years teaching bicycle repair and safety to underserved youth in New Orleans. After resigning from YEP Woody is returning to his Los Angeles Roots in order to help Bici LIbre and Los Angeles Rooted grow as well as support other aligned projects through Karmic Action Retribution Management Agency (KARMA)
Board Members
Alicia Vargas
Communications Committee
Alicia Vargas is a content producer with over a decade of experience. Ms. Vargas holds an M.A. from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Her news packages and digital content have been syndicated on Hulu and KQED. Her work has been published in the LA Times, Telesur, AJ Plus, Fusion and Pacifica Radio. Some of her NGO clients include: Plaza de la Raza and LA Rooted in partnership with We Rise. Presently Ms. Vargas is a producer and editor for KPFK in Los Angeles and continues to pursue her personal goal of diversifying Xicanx Latinx representation in film and media, and help steward progressive work in her community.
Linda Ocampo
Board Member
Linda Ocampo (she/they/elle) is dedicated to environmental justice and sustainability. Linda has worked on everything from supporting community initiatives to implementing state legislative requirements that improve transparency, equity, and environmental justice issues in vulnerable communities. As a new board member, Linda looks forward to advancing KARMA’s community-driven efforts and ensuring its programs and partnerships align with its mission and values.
Jordan Gonzales
Board Member
Jordan Gonzales (they/elle) is a bicyclist, urban planner and educator dedicated to uplifting the role of artists and creative practice in advancing mobility justice and ecological conservation. Jordan focuses on expanding access to biking, walking, and other sustainable transportation options through community-led initiatives. They have co-organized bicycle education programs, DIY repair workshops, and public events that promote safer, more inclusive streets and community connection. Their work integrates creative advocacy, hands-on skills, and policy engagement to support thriving, connected communities. As a board member, Jordan is committed to championing active transportation solutions that enhance mobility, sustainability, and public space for all.
Pauletta Pierce
Board Member
Pauletta Pierce (She/Her/Any) is a multicultural individual of Black and Asian ancestry who identifies as Blasian. A Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II (CADC II), Trainer for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Qualified Mental Health Specialist, she has over 20 years of experience in addiction, recovery, mental health, and reentry support, integrating cultural awareness into her practice. In 2023, she received her Certificate of Rehabilitation from the Superior Court of California and is currently waiting for her application for a pardon from Governor Newsom. Beyond her clinical work, Pauletta has been actively involved in culture-driven community organizing for the past 10 years, advocating for youth prevention, intergenerational learning, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Marcos Luna
Board Member
Marcos Luna (He/Him) is a passionate advocate with over 10 years of experience working with community groups and public agencies to fight inequities in climate justice, food instability, immigrant rights and rights for the unhoused. With over 6 years of experience in grant writing, budgeting and forecasting, Marcos has helped secure funding for disadvantaged communities (SB535) and individuals marginalized by our current system. As a community organizer, Marcos has also been an integral part of protests in the transportation industry helping efforts to unionize the workforce.
Ariel Climber
KARMA Founder
Ariel Climer is a long time volunteer of Bici Libre and a founder of KARMA. She is currently a K-12 science educator. She enjoyed teaching bicycle mechanics to all ages in the community and continues to volunteer off and on to support local bicycle co-ops and Ciclavia.