I was born and raised in Ecuador, where I completed my basic education in all-girl schools in both the public and private system. At sixteen, my family migrated to the United States in search of better opportunities, and we settled in Las Vegas. High school felt overwhelming at first, especially without yet speaking the local language, but I persisted with the support of new friends, many amazing teachers, and welcoming administrators. I graduated on time and became part of the first cohort of Governor Guinn Millennium Scholars in 2000. Those early years taught me how powerful it is when people welcome others into their new communities and support their acculturation with patience and care.

To pay for college, I worked in the hospitality industry. That work shaped the durable skills I still rely on every day: connecting with people from different backgrounds, staying calm under pressure, paying attention to details, and showing up consistently. I also learned that hospitality is about creating experiences. People may forget the exact details of an interaction, but they rarely forget how you made them feel. Hospitality taught me how to meet people where they are and how much service, respect, and reliability matter in any organization.

My college journey started at the local community college, where I strengthened my language skills and rebuilt my academic confidence. I later transferred to the local university, navigated the culture shift between a community college and a university, and became the first in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree in 2006. My siblings soon followed, which remains one of my proudest family milestones.

Soon after graduating, I became a mother. Balancing work, parenting, and school deepened my empathy for students and adult learners who are juggling complex lives while trying to move forward. Professionally, I grew through roles in community engagement, student retention, academic coaching, and TRIO Student Support Services, where I saw up close how much students need clear information, encouragement, and someone who believes in their potential.

A turning point in my career came with the Nevada GEAR UP grant. As a college ambassador, and later in a statewide role, I worked with schools across Nevada on college readiness, financial aid, mentoring, and workforce pathways. I learned how to communicate complicated systems in clear and hopeful ways, and how to honor the cultural and community context of the students and families we served.

Another defining chapter was helping operationalize the Nevada Promise Scholarship program at CSN. I built operational systems from the ground up, worked with schools, employers, legislators, volunteers, and thousands of students, and helped grow a team that supported more than 34,000 students and 1,500 mentors over four years. That experience cemented my commitment to practical systems that are scalable, transparent, and people-centered.

In 2020, I returned to school for my master’s degree while working full time and raising my family. After completing it, I supported grant management for charter schools and then helped launch a new research institute at UNLV. As the institute grew, I moved into an associate director role, building administrative foundations, designing workflows, and cultivating partnerships that spanned K–20 education, wraparound services, and workforce development. This work eventually led me to my current path as a doctoral student focused on curriculum, instruction, and workforce development.

Across all of these chapters, one thing has stayed constant. I am the product of many mentors, colleagues, and people who opened doors, guided me through unfamiliar systems, and believed in me when the path felt overwhelming. My family has walked beside me through every season and remains my greatest source of strength and motivation.

Today, my work is an extension of that story. As an immigrant, first-generation college graduate, daughter, sister, mother, wife, friend, educator, mentor, and leader, I understand both the human side and the systems side of education and workforce development. EdLab Consulting and Training is how I honor the opportunities I have received: by designing programs, trainings, and partnerships that help more people feel seen, supported, and prepared for the future of work.