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Juanita Zerda
Executive Director, Massachusetts & Rhode Island at Propel America
Professional Background
Juanita Zerda is a highly accomplished senior leader with an impressive two decades of multidisciplinary experience in driving impactful change across various social justice organizations. Her career is characterized by her dedication to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles. A respected figure in the nonprofit sector, Juanita has successfully guided organizations in assessing and enhancing the effectiveness of their social programs, ensuring a profound commitment to addressing issues of disparity and disproportionality within communities and systems.
Throughout her tenure in leadership roles, Juanita has held key positions in influential organizations. As the current Director at Collective Change Lab, Inc., she leads initiatives that foster meaningful change in societal structures while supporting marginalized communities. In her previous role as the Executive Director for Massachusetts and Rhode Island at Propel America, she was instrumental in developing comprehensive strategies to empower low-income youth, enhancing their educational and career opportunities. Juanita’s expertise in program evaluation and capacity building has helped numerous organizations elevate their impact in combating social injustices.
Moreover, her experience as an Independent Consultant at Jz Consulting solidified her reputation as a trusted advisor in social program development. She skillfully collaborated with various nonprofits, providing insights that led to innovative solutions and sustainable strategies to tackle systemic inequities. Earlier in her career, Juanita served as the Chief Program Officer at The Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy, where she oversaw critical educational initiatives designed to improve outcomes for vulnerable students. Her work in these roles consistently illustrates her strong leadership skills and unwavering commitment to social justice.
Education and Achievements
Juanita’s academic foundation is rooted in profound philosophical and legal education. She studied for her Master of Arts in Philosophy at Boston College, where she delved deep into ethical theories and social justice principles. This advanced training has equipped her with a robust framework for understanding complex societal issues and developing philosophical approaches to contemporary challenges.
In addition, Juanita pursued her studies in Law at Universidad De Los Andes, where she cultivated a strong understanding of legal systems and their implications for social equity. This background has been instrumental in her roles as she navigates the intersection of law, policy, and social justice, advocating for reforms that support disenfranchised populations.
Key Leadership Roles and Contributions
Juanita’s extensive career is marked by significant achievements across multiple organizations that focus on community development and program evaluation. Her previous position as Director of Implementation at The Rennie Center laid the groundwork for innovative research and effective policy implementation in education. This role enabled Juanita to leverage data-driven methodologies to inform programmatic decisions, bridging the gap between research and practice in educational settings.
As the Director of Government Programs for the Northeast Region at The Rensselaerville Institute, she worked closely with various governmental entities to improve program outcomes and align initiatives with community needs. Her experience as a Senior Associate at the same institution further solidified her expertise in program evaluation and community engagement, allowing her to create and implement substantial improvements in local programs.
In the realm of community services, Juanita has played pivotal roles in several organizations, including serving as Director of Planning and Program Policy Unit at the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development. In this capacity, Juanita was responsible for the strategic planning of community service initiatives that addressed the pressing needs of public housing residents and low-income families across the state. Her leadership in these projects showcased her capacity to affect change at a systemic level.
Additionally, Juanita’s early career as Coordinator at the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild laid the foundation for her commitment to social advocacy, specifically concerning immigration rights. This experience enriched her understanding of the complexities surrounding immigration policies, and her practical knowledge has significantly informed her subsequent work in community support and justice reforms.
Achievements
- Director at Collective Change Lab, Inc.: Leading transformative social impact initiatives aimed at improving community well-being, with a focus on marginalized groups.
- Executive Director at Propel America: Developed and implemented strategies to support low-income youth, enhancing educational and career pathways, significantly increasing access to opportunities.
- Chief Program Officer at The Rennie Center: Oversaw educational program initiatives that utilized data-driven methodologies to improve outcomes for at-risk students, significantly elevating the effectiveness of educational programs.
- Expertise in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Recognized for her adept application of DEI principles across various organizations, driving systemic change and addressing historical disparities in access and representation.
- Proven track record in program evaluation: Successfully led numerous organizations in assessing program effectiveness, resulting in enhanced impact on community service initiatives.
- Strong leadership with community engagement: Established lasting relationships with community members, stakeholders, and government officials, fostering collaborative approaches to enhance program effectiveness and community outcomes.
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