This post is part of a 10 part blog series to celebrate ACE’s 5th birthday. We’ll be asking ACE staff members to answer 5 questions about their time with the organization, including their favorite stories and some surprise facts about themselves. We’ll profile a different staff member each day! 

ACE Staff Member: Wen Lee

Position: Presenter, Northern California

Q: How did you first get involved with ACE?   

A: I actually found out about ACE because I was an intern at Free Range Studios, the company that produces ACE’s assembly video. I started working on these awesome animations about climate change, and I thought “Wow! This is the best presentation I have ever seen about climate change! ACE would be such a cool place to work.” And now, here I am.

Q:  What was your proudest moment at ACE?

A: Giving an ACE assembly at my alma mater — Temple City High School! The whole school was there, including a lot of my old teachers. It was amazing.

Q: It’s no secret that we work hard, and put in some long days. What’s your favorite (eco-themed, if possible) video you like to watch/song you listen to for a mid-day break/pump up session?  

Macklemore’s hit Thrift Shop!  [we’ve linked to a family-friendly version of the song here!]

Q: What’s one thing your students and teachers don’t know about you?    

A:I don’t own a car (and I love it).

Q: What was your awakening “aha!” moment that got you involved in the climate movement?

A: When I was 20 and found out where burgers come from. I realized that when I bought a burger I wasn’t just paying for the burger — I was also paying for (and supporting) cows crammed into feedlots, big factories, trucks driving across the country, and all the pollution and waste that is created from the process. I decided then that I would always consider the environmental impacts of everything that I buy and use — and a huge part of that is thinking about how all my “stuff” contributes to climate change. I like Anna Lappe’s quote: “Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.” I think this is really true.

Thanks, Wen! Tomorrow: We introduce AshEL Eldridge and hear what he has to say about his time at ACE.