While this chapter is closing, the program’s legacy and the relationships that shaped it will continue to guide Hispanic Access’s work. Workforce development remains a core pillar of the organization, which is actively designing a reimagined national strategy to expand leadership pathways across conservation, STEM, public health, climate resilience, and more.
“This transition is deeply personal for us,” said Maite Arce, President and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation. “Through the MANO Project, we lived out our mission of connecting Latinos to opportunities, and we did that by linking our partners to some of the most talented, driven, and passionate young professionals in the country. To our alumni, thank you for your dedication and leadership. To our partners, thank you for opening doors, mentoring the next generation, and believing in the power of Latino talent. Together, we built a network that will continue to inspire change for years to come.”
After careful consideration, Hispanic Access Foundation has made the strategic decision to sunset the MANO Project to allow space for thoughtfully designing a more diversified and sustainable workforce model for the future. The program will conclude by October 31, 2025, with a transition plan in place to collaborate with partners on closing out or reassigning current internships and fellowships.
The MANO alumni network, one of the program’s most significant legacies, will remain active. Hispanic Access will continue to offer alumni engagement, career support, and professional development through its Networks department as part of its ongoing commitment to workforce development.
“As a first-generation college graduate, the MANO Project came into my life at exactly the right moment—midway through my college career—and changed its course forever,” said Evelyn Ramirez, a MANO alum who began her career through a fellowship with the National Park Service and now works as the Digital Communications Manager at Hispanic Access. “During my 12-week internship with the National Parks of Boston as a Youth Digital Communications Specialist, I discovered my true passion for digital communications while teaching young Latinos to share their stories through videography and podcast production. Since that transformative summer, I’ve built a career as a Digital Communications expert and storyteller for Hispanic Access Foundation. It’s a privilege to now pay it forward to my community and to the organization that believed in me from the very start.”
Looking ahead, Hispanic Access invites all partners and alumni to stay engaged as we develop a new workforce model that will broaden career pathways and foster Latino leadership across multiple sectors. We encourage everyone to connect with us through our social media channels and newsletter for updates and opportunities to collaborate in building the next chapter of workforce development.