Mayela Angelina Padilla was born in San Luis Obispo, California. She is the daughter of Dr. Ernest Padilla, a retired English and Mathematics College Professor, founder of Lalo Press, a publishing company dedicated to promoting Mexican-American authors and Yolanda Luera, a Mexican published poet and author.

Although Mayela has dedicated her career to environmental science and sustainability, she is a passionate introvert who enjoys writing, photography, traveling, meditation, and spending quality time with family and friends who exhaust her.

Mayela is the Executive Director of Casa Werma, a Buddhist meditation center, and podcast host of Tiny Climate Challenge.