Present

Our Team

Xiomara P. Caro-Díaz

Executive Director

Xiomara P. Caro Díaz (She) is the Executive Director and founder of the María Fund. She was born in Santurce and is a Taurus. As a child, she was very independent, talkative, and studious. Xiomara loves to dance, listen to live music, and bring people together. She studied Public Relations at the University of Florida in Gainesville and Law at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. For 15 years, she has worked in non-profit organizations, mostly as a strategist and facilitator. She has worked at the Community Foundation of Puerto Rico, Boys & Girls Club of Puerto Rico, led the Institute of Youth Development, and was part of the Center for Popular Democracy. Since 2017, she has been leading María Fund. Xiomara has been committed to social justice since childhood by reading books about civil movements and struggles that awakened her desire to contribute to what she read. During the strike at the University of Puerto Rico in 2010, she was part of the student leadership. That experience strengthened her desire to fight by seeing what could be achieved collectively by joining forces and devising a different world from the one they want to impose on us. Xiomara has the example of her parents, whom she saw dedicating their lives to fighting for their rights and providing her with education and healthcare. Xiomara dreams and works for a Puerto Rico where we recognize our beauty, experience, and dignity as priorities. In that Puerto Rico, we, Puerto Ricans, define the agenda and the way of life in our own country.

Juan Gudiño Cabrera

Managing Director

Juan Gudiño Cabrera (He) is the Director of Operations at María Fund. Currently, he is responsible for contributing to strategic leadership, overseeing programmatic direction, and contributing to the overall development of the organization. Juan was born and raised in Santurce, specifically in Villa Palmeras. He is a Sagittarius. As a child, he was observant, curious, affectionate, with an exceptional ear for music; it has been a part of him ever since. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras and a Master's degree in Cultural Management from the same institution. In his free time, he enjoys being with family, teaching and practicing bomba, gardening, farming, and reading. Before joining María Fund PR, Juan held the position of Director of the Arts Fund at the Flamboyán Foundation, where he held leadership roles from 2019 until becoming Senior Director of the fund in 2021. Additionally, Juan has designed and taught courses at the School of Design and Creative Industries at Sagrado Corazón and is an instructor of bomba percussion and dance at the Dr. Modesto Cepeda Atiles Bomba and Plena Cultural Center. Juan aspires that through his work, he can continue the path paved by his ancestors, which for him means commitment to his country and its inhabitants. He dreams and works for a Puerto Rico where we feel free, where dignified and quality access to education, health, housing prevails, and where love for differences converges in harmony.

Tamara Toledo Berríos

Director of Finance and Administration

Tamara Toledo Berríos (she) is the Director of Operations and Grants Administration at María Fund since 2021. She was born in San Juan, is an Aquarius, and loves the ocean like no one else, especially scuba diving. As a child, she was introverted and comics, books, art, and drawing were her best friends. This led her to enroll at the Central School of Visual Arts in Santurce. Tamara earned an MBA with two specializations, Accounting and Human Resources, from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. In her free time, she seeks to be in contact with nature. We can attest to this because she always impresses us with her stories. For the past 20 years, she has worked in the non-profit sector, educational institutions, and healthcare services. Through her work, she strives for a free, more equitable society and Puerto Rico, where there is equal access to resources.

Dali Ortiz Carrasquillo

Administrative Coordinator

Dali Ortiz Carrasquillo (they/them) is the Administration Coordinator at María Fund since 2022. They were born in Caguas, although they grew up in Cidra. They have a lot of Scorpio in their natal chart, but their sun is in Libra. As a child, they were always on the move, playing sports or playing percussion. Dali is also a DJ. In their free time, they produce music, read, listen to podcasts, and organize in their community. They have a Master's degree in Project Management and studied at Tulane University in New Orleans while they were an athlete. They have worked as a project manager and process coordinator in healthcare systems and grassroots organizations. For Dali, social justice is the only way forward while our needs are being ignored and our resources are being taken. Through their work, they seek to connect with the community and sustain spaces that help navigate the present with intention and openness to vulnerability. They imagine and work towards a free Puerto Rico, with access to food, housing, education, and dignified healthcare services for all.

Raquela Delgado-Valentín

Director of Resource Mobilization and Collaboration Among Social Movements

Raquela Delgado-Valentín (she/her) has been working on the María Fund since April 2018. She was born in Santurce and raised in Carolina. Her zodiac sign is Cancer, her moon sign is Capricorn, and her rising sign is Leo. As a child, she was adventurous, played basketball, did karate, and questioned everything. Raquela holds a Doctorate in Philosophy in Social Work with a specialization in Administration and Social Policy from UPRP. Additionally, she teaches courses in the Faculty of Social Sciences at UPRM. She has worked with various feminist organizations to promote the full development of women who are survivors of gender-based violence, and she is an abortion doula. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her tribe, going to the beach, traveling, playing the barrel (a traditional Puerto Rican percussion instrument), and exploring the archipelago. Her political awakening began with her first arrest in the fight to stop the US Navy's bombing in Vieques in 2001. Since then, her commitment to defending social justice, equity, inclusion, freedom, and everything that points to the overthrow of systems of oppression has remained unwavering. She has co-founded several political organizations. Through her work, Raquela strives for a free and socialist Puerto Rico with quality education, access to holistic health care, healthy food, safe housing, economic justice, safe spaces for leisure and joy, and respect and recognition for our diversities... A Puerto Rico where we can live with dignity.

Jessica Alejandra González Sampayo

Program Manager

Jessica Alejandra González-Sampayo (she/her) is the Ecosystem Coordinator at María Fund. She currently leads the design and development of the youth initiative. Jess, as we affectionately call her, was born in San Juan, is an Aquarius, and her laughter can be heard throughout the office. As a child, she was a whirlwind. She played all day, sang, painted, and swam. She studied Psychology with a certification in Gender and Women's Studies at UPR in Río Piedras and a Master's in Social Intervention Psychology in Granada, Spain. In her free time, she practices yoga, goes to the sea, plants and takes care of her plants, writes, and looks for new places to walk and be with her people. She has worked as a Research Team Coordinator, collaborated with social justice organizations, and facilitated workshops in San Juan, Bogotá, Detroit, and Granada.

Jessica seeks to build solutions for the present that we deserve, holding spaces from vulnerability and care towards collective liberation and organization. She is always trying to incorporate life, enjoyment, play, depth, and grace into everything she creates. She imagines a free Puerto Rico where calm and tenderness are breathed, and other ways of relating to culture, the economy, and our ancestors are practiced. In that Puerto Rico, politics do justice to women, Black people, trans and disabled people, and the most basic things are not a gift but a right.

Angiemar Torres-Franqui

Communications Director

Angiemar Torres-Franqui (she/her/they/them) is the Communications Director of María Fund since 2020. She is a proud native of Bayamón, Puerto Rico, but more importantly, she is a Pisces with a Pisces rising. As a child, she talked non-stop and was always directing the show. Angie, as she is affectionately called, studied Communications, Television and Radio Production, Broadcasting, Photography, and Journalism at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. She has worked as a journalist, editor, content creator, and digital producer for several local media outlets such as NotiCel, GFR Media, Telemundo, among others. In her free time, she reads investigative content and supports small projects in developing social media strategies. She proclaims herself a cinephile. Her interest in healing and reconnecting with our spirituality as part of achieving collective decolonization has led her to train in accompaniment disciplines, such as supporting people in their death process (Death Doula). Angiemar dreams of a country where those who she loves can return and where her daughter can stay and grow with dignity and pleasure. In that Puerto Rico, people are and feel free, and that freedom is not only reflected in political and economic structures, but also in the way we heal collectively.

Christian Ibarra Delgado

Content Coordinator

Christian Ibarra Delgado (He) is the Content Coordinator at María Fund since 2022. He was born in San Juan, but grew up in Bayamón, and every time the Vaqueros win, he lets the whole office know. His parents and family are from Chile and Uruguay. Christian is a Leo, but he doesn't know much about astrology. As a child, he liked to draw, play with clay, read books, write, listen to music, and play sports. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Hispanic Studies from UPR Río Piedras, completed graduate studies in Social Communication at the University of Chile, and completed a Master's degree in Communication Theory and Research at UPR Río Piedras. He is a writer and journalist. He has published two books of short stories and worked in various local media outlets as well as in advertising. In his free time, he likes to cook, be with loved ones, and watch live music. For Christian, social justice is the way to give meaning to his work in a country where every day he must defend the most basic things: access to quality healthcare and education, food, secure housing, a dignified retirement, and the right to inhabit this handful of islands that are and always will be ours."

Contact us at: info@mariafund.org or comunicaciones@mariafund.org

Miluska (they/them/she/her) was a committed and courageous organizer whose contributions to the fights for recognition of the dignity and rights of underrepresented communities have left an undeniable legacy of love and justice.

Miluska distinguished themselves through their work in founding and coordinating the harm reduction project "Hermanxs de la Calle," which provides assistance to drug users, sex workers, and members of the community in downtown Caguas. They educated community members about stigma reduction, drug use, civil and human rights of drug users in a community setting, and overdose prevention. Their legacy is also alive in organizing work in the LGBTQIA+ communities, including successful public policy and media campaigns. In 2010, they helped implement the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia as a day of celebration and mobilization in Puerto Rico as a co-founder of its committee. Miluska studied literature, began studying law, and excelled for over 14 years in their ability to translate important writings, interpret and promote language justice impeccably in research and topics on labor rights, environmental defense, gender justice, cooperativism, health and safety, education, civil rights, housing, and community organization, among others. From these roles, they worked as the owner of the cooperative Caracoles, where they supported the construction of its infrastructure and organizational scaffolding until its dissolution.

Miluska transitioned from this earthly plane on November 17, 2021. They will be remembered with love, respect, and admiration for their dedication and contributions to the LGBTQIA+ communities and for their commitment to social justice. Their legacy will continue to inspire and strengthen those who move forward in the struggle for equity and dignity. We will remember their love for indoor plants and gardening, for movies, reading and writing, for travel, and for spending time with their cat. We will remember their attention to detail and constant improvement. We will remember the importance they placed on teamwork and promoting solidarity. We will remember their strong and direct character, and how that character coexisted with their respectfulness and tenderness. We will remember their introverted smile and the importance they placed on having their personal space. We will remember when they affectionately referred to each of us as "my child." We will remember their passion for the subtleties of language and the power of culture and organization. We will remember their introverted and playful smile. We will remember how much they enjoyed being self-taught to play musical instruments.

We will remember and carry with us their vision: "to see concrete victories resulting from progressive thought and daily and constant work done collectively for freedom in Puerto Rico, Latin America, and the world in general." We carry with us their certainty that "things will be much better if we take radical actions based on love, honesty, and unity in the midst of the beauty of diversity."

our 2019-Present

Governance Committee

Our Governance Committee is made up individuals deeply connected to our mission and vision for Puerto Rico. All committee members are volunteers united by the vision of the Maria Fund.

José Garcia

Mr. García is a Program Officer on the Future of Work(ers) team at the Ford Foundation. Prior to joining Ford, he served as Program Officer for Strong Local Economies at the Surdna Foundation. Earlier in his career, José also served as Associate Director for the Economic Opportunity Program at Demos, where he authored dozens of reports on household debt and co-authored the book Up to Our Eyeballs: How Shady Lenders and Failed Economic Policies are Drowning Americans in Debt.

Jesus González

Mr. Gonzalez was one of the founding members of Make the Road New York, a city-wide organization that builds the power of Latino and working class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and by providing survival services. In 2011, Jesus became the youngest person to run for the NY State Assembly.Mr. Gonzalez is a Bushwick, Brooklyn native.

Tristana Robles

Mrs. Robles is one of the producers of Zapatero Films and won Two Latin Grammy Awards. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico where she received her degree in Public Communication and has been an ally of the social justice movement in Puerto Rico for more than a decade.

Tania Rosario

Tania is an artist, educator, public health specialist, and women’s and girls’ rights activist, born and raised in Puerto Rico. With over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Tania has a solid background integrating project management, cultural work, community organizing, popular education and human rights activism. Dynamic, charismatic and determined, she now leads the work of historic feminist organization Taller Salud, focused on reducing health inequities, achieving gender equality and preventing violence in the communities that suffer from greater social exclusion. Her goal is to build a Puerto Rico where there is health, peace and economic development for all.

Tania is also the author of two books and several articles. She is a theatre director and teacher, community organizer, and cultural worker. She is also a trained full-spectrum doula and a certified childbirth educator. She holds a bachelor’s degree in humanities, with a double major in drama and history, from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, and a master’s degree in public health from the UPR’s Medical Sciences campus.

from 2017-2019

Advisory Committee

An Advisory Committee was formed after Hurricane María and was made-up of individuals deeply connected to Puerto Rico with the sole purpose of carrying out the mission of the Maria Fund. The committee was made up entirely of Puerto Ricans and aims for 50/50 representation from individuals based in Puerto Rico and individuals in the United States. All committee members were volunteers united by our vision.

Yulissa Arce

Ms. Arce is a committed individual with a deep passion for community service and environmental stewardship. She serves as the Central Florida Regional Director at Organize Florida, where she focuses on electoral organizing in Orange and Osceola counties, and has also served as the Florida State Coordinator for Mi Familia Vota Education Fund. Ms. Arce holds a Bachelors of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Central Florida.

Teresita Ayala

Lah Tere, a Chicago Native and first generation diasporic Borikena, is a global teaching youth ARTivist, Real Time Results Facilitator, and Co-Founder of Momma’s Hip Hop Kitchen. As an ASPIRAnte she implements Dr. Antonia Pantoja’s philosophy of Awareness, Analysis, and Action in all of her life’s work. Her fervor is fueled by helping youth shift their misfortune into a positive energy, turning trials in triumph.

Karina Claudio Betancourt

Karina is a program officer on Puerto Rico matters with the Open Society Foundations. They are an organizer with extensive experience empowering workers, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, and people at the intersection of these identities. Prior to OSF she was the Senior Director for community engagement in the office of NYC Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. Before this, they oversaw the LGBTQ and Long Island organizing work at Make the Road New York. Karina grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico and currently lives in Brooklyn.

Xiomara Caro Díaz

Ms. Caro Diaz is the Executive Director of the María Fund and provides support to social movements in Puerto Rico struggling against the debt and austerity measures proposed by a Fiscal Control Board. She holds a Juris Doctor from the Law School of the University of Puerto Rico and a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida.

José Garcia

Mr. García is a Program Officer on the Future of Work(ers) team at the Ford Foundation. Prior to joining Ford, he served as Program Officer for Strong Local Economies at the Surdna Foundation. Earlier in his career, José also served as Associate Director for the Economic Opportunity Program at Demos, where he authored dozens of reports on household debt and co-authored the book Up to Our Eyeballs: How Shady Lenders and Failed Economic Policies are Drowning Americans in Debt.

Jesus González

Mr. Gonzalez was one of the founding members of Make the Road New York, a city-wide organization that builds the power of Latino and working class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and by providing survival services. In 2011, Jesus became the youngest person to run for the NY State Assembly.Mr. Gonzalez is a Bushwick, Brooklyn native.

Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi

Mr. Jacobs-Fantauzzi is an award-winning filmmaker. A graduate of UC Berkeley, he received his MA degree from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He is the founder of FistUpTv and the Co-Founder of the multi-media platform Defend Puerto Rico. His dedication to his craft is deeply connected to his commitment to social justice and the belief in the transformative power of storytelling.

Natasha Lycia Ora Bannan

Ms. Bannan is an Associate Counsel at LatinoJustice PRLDEF, focusing on working with low-wage Latina immigrant workers. She graduated from CUNY School of Law, where she was Editor-in-Chief of the CUNY Law Review. Ms. Bannan is President of the National Lawyers Guild, the nation’s largest and oldest progressive bar association, and Co-Chairs its Subcommittee on Puerto Rico.

Tristana Robles

Mrs. Robles is one of the producers of Zapatero Films and won Two Latin Grammy Awards. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico where she received her degree in Public Communication and has been an ally of the social justice movement in Puerto Rico for more than a decade.