As the Development Operations Associate at Hispanic Access Foundation, Catherine supports the organization’s fundraising and operational systems, ensuring donor engagement and development pipelines run smoothly. She brings a strong background in nonprofit work, research, and community-focused initiatives, paired with a deep commitment to equity and access.
Catherine graduated from Cornell University, where she received the J.G. White Award in Spanish Excellence and is fluent in Spanish. She also engaged in several service- and research-based organizations. At the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, she contributed to development and research projects that strengthened partnerships and advanced the foundation’s mission. She has also worked at the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative at Cornell, the Cornell Undergraduate Research Board, and served as Lead Spanish Interpreter and Translator for GlobeMed’s Latin American campaign, partnering with the Mayan organization AMMID to support community-led health and development initiatives.
Her dedication to public service extends to environmental conservation. Catherine participated in the Cuttyhunk Island Ghost Gear Conservation Project—a week-long marine debris cleanup led by the Center for Coastal Studies and Cornell University—where she worked alongside conservationists and local residents to remove and process more than 500 abandoned lobster traps and over 15,700 pounds of debris from the island’s shoreline.
In addition to her nonprofit work, Catherine has a strong artistic background. She attended a performing arts high school specializing in visual arts, is Adobe certified, and maintains a wide-ranging design portfolio that reflects her lifelong passion for creativity.
Why she works for Hispanic Access…
"I work for Hispanic Access because the mission resonates with both my personal history and professional purpose. Throughout high school and college, I was involved in organizations that focused on uplifting Latino families through education, health, and community engagement. As GlobeMed’s Lead Spanish Interpreter, I saw firsthand how access—to information, resources, and opportunity—can transform entire communities. When I learned more about Hispanic Access, it felt like a natural continuation of the work I’ve always cared about. Being part of an organization that expands opportunity, builds leadership, and invests in communities that shaped my identity feels incredibly meaningful. It’s work that aligns with my values, my experiences, and the type of impact I want to help create."
In her spare time…
“In my free time, I’m usually doing something creative or active. I love painting, drawing, and anything that lets me make art. I also enjoy going to the gym—whether that’s pilates, walking, or weightlifting—and I try to stay consistent with movement. And when I’m winding down, I love watching videos, discovering new art, or revisiting old favorites.”
Her favorite book…
“My favorite book is Aura by Carlos Fuentes. I’ve always been drawn to stories where culture, history, and the supernatural intertwine, especially within the Latin American tradition of magical realism. Aura was the first story that made me fall in love with that eerie, dreamlike blend of reality and the supernatural. I love how authors like Fuentes — and others such as Silvina Ocampo — can weave atmosphere, identity, memory, and imagination into something that feels both familiar and otherworldly. That blend of artistry and cultural depth is what keeps me coming back to those kinds of stories.”
A person she finds inspirational…
“María Félix — La Doña — has always inspired me. She rose from a humble background in Sonora to become one of the most commanding figures of the 20th century. What stands out is not just her extraordinary talent, but the confidence, discipline, and unwavering refusal to compromise that shaped her life. Félix was a leading figure in the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, where she wielded significant creative control on film sets and inspired countless artists, musicians, and writers. Her impact extended beyond cinema to fashion, art, and culture. She was friends with Frida Kahlo, Octavio Paz, Juan Gabriel, and Agustín Lara — was immortalized by painters like Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco. Her relationship with Cartier became legendary— walking into their Paris boutique with a live baby crocodile so they could model a necklace after its exact form, and decades later, Cartier honored her with an entire high-jewelry collection. María Félix also used her platform to advocate for social change. She championed female empowerment, women’s equality, indigenous rights, and the preservation of historical architecture in Mexico City. She played an active role in the development of the Mexico City subway system, which today serves millions of people daily, cementing her influence on both culture and civic life. Her life is a testament to building power on your own terms. Fearless, self-defined, and impossible to overlook, she forged a legacy that continues to resonate — and, in her words, ‘Donde estoy yo está la suerte.’”