Joan is a distinguished professional with a remarkable career in the nonprofit sector, recognized for her exceptional expertise in relationship building. Inspired by her love for her family, Joan moved from Puerto Rico to Western Maryland to support her sister and her oldest niece, who was born with Turner’s Syndrome, a congenital heart defect, and was later diagnosed with ASD, learning disabilities, and anxiety. She later welcomed a second niece, also born with a congenital heart defect and experiencing behavioral health needs. Joan has worked in group homes supporting re-entry youth; as a family support worker providing home visiting assistance to families navigating hardships; as a neighborhood partnership coordinator, leveraging her connections to elevate the social capital of families in her community; and as a program director, improving service delivery and increasing volunteer engagement for a local organization that provides essential items at no cost to families in her county. Joan has dedicated her career to fostering meaningful connections, driving collaboration, and achieving impactful outcomes.