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Board Circle President, Bear Root Resource Center

I am a proud Afro-Latina, with Puerto Rican, Blackfoot and Lumbee ancestral roots.  I am the daughter of an African Indigenous Mother from North Carolina, and Puerto Rican Father.  I grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where Art, Culture, Music, Food and my Spiritual faith were at the center of my world and have been a major influence in my life.  I am reconnecting to my cultural roots with my family and it is an interesting journey to learn more about our history and how this can be a source of healing in this present moment.  I have had the privilege of traveling throughout the United States and in many places around the world.  You may be interested to know that Brazil is one of my favorite places to visit and consider it to be one of my second homes.  I have immersed myself in community and speak fluent Brazil Portuguese.   

I relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University, so I could attend Graduate school, where I obtained my Master of Science at Mills College.  I have lived in the Bay Area for over thirty years, and I am actively involved in our community and volunteer to support other important causes.  As a Senior Loan Officer, with years of experience in the mortgage industry, and responsible for complex loan origination, client relationship management, overseeing  junior staff, and often playing a key role in developing and implementing strategic initiatives related to mortgage lending, while maintaining a high level of compliance and quality standards within the organization..  It has been a rewarding experience to make a positive impact in so many lives and help them achieve their dreams of home ownership.  I am a fierce advocate for housing justice. and to overcome economic disparities, increase the availability of affordable housing, improve access to services, down payment assistance, to reform zoning and lending practices.   

My commitment extends beyond my professional role, which is fueled by my lifelong passion and dedication to empower communities of color to have access to opportunities and culturally responsive resources to help individuals reach their full potential.  I am honored to join forces and serve as the Board Circle President for the Bear Root Resource Center.  I am excited to leverage my financial and operational acumen to foster meaningful change.  The organization’s Mission, Purpose, Vision and Values align with mine.  It is exciting to be part of something from the beginning, and to be involved in the decision making, planning process, and to watch it grow and ultimately succeed in achieving its goals.  I was drawn to the unique programs offered and inclusive approach to serve our underrepresented community; with Local resources within the San Francisco Bay Area, and be able to connect to a virtual network of other likeminded resources within the Pacific North West, Nationwide, within the Caribbean, Mexico, South America, Africa and beyond.  

I look forward to building with community members, collaborating with community leaders, community partners, donors, our other Board Circle Members, Cultural Advisory Committee Circle Members, and the Leadership Team, as well as future staff as we build capacity to expand and grow the organization.  I am focused on promoting fundraising equity and closing the “Giving Gap,” by mobilizing people to take direct action and create meaningful change, to connect them to innovative resources and create strategic partnerships to amplify our impact and expand ways to support our community.