From classrooms to communities, Coach Maye nurtures eco-heroes for a greener tomorrow.
For over 15 years, Ruthie Maye R. Padilla—fondly known as Coach Maye—has been a passionate force in environmental education at WWF-Philippines. As an Environmental Education Officer since 2008, her mission has been clear: to deepen people’s connection with nature and spark a commitment to protect it.
Rooted in both science and compassion, Coach Maye’s work centers on cultivating environmental awareness among young people. She believes that education is one of the most powerful tools for creating long-term change – and has spent her career designing programs that inspire curiosity, compassion, and action for the planet.
WWF’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) unit, to which Coach Maye belongs, has engaged more than one million individuals, including students, teachers, and community members across the Philippines. These efforts have brought environmental awareness out of the classroom and into the real world, integrating climate action, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable living into daily learning experiences.
Their team’s approach emphasizes inclusivity and accessibility, encouraging students of all backgrounds to see themselves as stewards of the environment. They work closely with school partners, local governments, and youth groups to make sustainability education not only informative but also empowering.
Coach Maye plays a key role in mainstreaming WWF’s mission across the country: to stop – and eventually reverse – the accelerating degradation of the Philippine environment. With a strong belief in intergenerational learning, she champions youth as vital agents of change, capable of transforming their communities and the future of the planet.
At MISSION POSSIBLE Youth Social Hackathon: Philippines Edition (October 24–26, 2025), Coach Maye joins as a Pitching Coach, guiding participants to turn their innovative ideas into compelling, eco-driven proposals. With her deep expertise in youth engagement and sustainability, she empowers teams to pitch with clarity, confidence, and care for the Earth.