2023-2024 Annual Report
Executive Director
Dr. Inez González Perezchica
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I am filled with immense pride and hope for the future of MANA de San Diego. In June, I will conclude my five-year commitment as Executive Director, and our Board and team have been actively focused on succession planning. I strongly believe in passing the baton, especially when MANA de San Diego has cultivated such robust Latina leadership in our community.
Internally, MANA de San Diego has grown into an organization that prioritizes strong governance, with streamlined processes and procedures that are now well-documented. We remain an organization co-led by both dedicated volunteers and staff. Our new mission statement serves as our guiding light: we transform communities by empowering Latinas to achieve upward mobility and a better quality of life. We live by the values of comunidad, reciprocity, and stewardship, and our advocacy voice has become even stronger and more impactful.
In this report, we present the four pillars that guide our work: Education and Professional Development, Economic Empowerment, Community Engagement & Advocacy, and Health & Wellness. As you read, we encourage you to keep these pillars in mind. You will learn about our program outcomes and highlights from the year, and most importantly, the inspiring stories of Latinas whose lives have been transformed through MANA de San Diego’s programs.
MANA de San Diego is more than a one-year program—it is a vibrant community. It is a movement that nurtures quiet little girls into confident leaders. When a Latina discovers a path to upward mobility, her family progresses, and the entire region benefits.
Board President
Claudia Rempel
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT
Reflecting on this past year, I am proud of the remarkable progress we’ve made. We’ve advanced our newly developed strategic plan, guiding us towards a bold vision of sustainability and impact. Our focus on program excellence and membership engagement has been central, and I’m proud of the framework we’ve built for long-term success.
Our Board Governance, Board Development Committees and newly developed Board Committees have attracted dedicated board members, improved policies, ensured financial transparency, enhanced fundraising efforts and prioritized succession planning to guarantee seamless transitions. As an organization, we have intensified our advocacy on key issues like education, voting, and workplace equity, and strengthened our collaboration with other MANA chapters to amplify our collective voice on issues affecting Latinas.
I’m grateful to our staff, board, volunteers, and partners for their commitment to MANASD. Together, we’ve laid a strong foundation, and I’m excited about the future work ahead. As I term out as Chair, I’m confident our efforts will continue with purpose and passion.
Looking forward, we’ll keep strengthening our advocacy and community connections to make an even greater impact for Latinas in San Diego and beyond.
Board President
Claudia Rempel
PILLARS FOR UPWARD MOBILITY & LATINA SUCCESS
EDUCATIONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Educational attainment is the key to unlocking upward mobility for Latinas but we know that a degree alone is not enough. Education coupled with social capital and ongoing professional development is the secret recipe MANASD uses to catapult Latinas to professional and personal success. Society at-large can also contribute to Latina empowerment by investing in college readiness, support for first-generation college students, STEM awareness and school-to-career pipeline, and structured workplace mentorship and sponsorship.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & ADVOCACY
This pillar harnesses the power of the Latina community to create systemic change and advances life outcomes. MANASD promotes community engagement at an early age, exposing Hermanitas to the values of comunidad and reciprocity through their mentors who often inspire them to become mentors, volunteers, and scholarship donors once they graduate college. We also amplify the voices of empowered Latinas by providing them opportunities to engage in advocacy efforts through our Advocacy committee, public speaking activities, and our Latina Friendly Workplace Award. Throughout our programs, activities, and events, MANASD continues the legacy of community engagement and advocacy that were the roots of our founding nearly forty years ago.
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
The United Nations and other leading policy and advocacy organizations have highlighted the critical role of economic empowerment in advancing gender equality, as well as being a tool for sustainable development. When women have access to meaningful employment, economies grow and the safety and well-being of women and children improves. Educational attainment is a key contributor to economic empowerment and a primary tool used by MANASD to support that empowerment. We also support economic empowerment through paid internships to reduce the underemployment of first-generation college graduates; through professional development to ensure Latinas are thriving in their careers; and by advocating for equitable workplaces.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Our roles as caretakers is a central aspect of our culture we chose to reframe as a strength, if coupled with healthy boundaries. Recognizing that we too deserve the care and attention we give to others, MANASD integrates health and wellness practices and awareness into our events, programs, and activities. From the mental health education component of our Hermanitas™ and College Success program to the Noche de la Mujer hosted annually by our Wellness Committee, MANASD provides opportunities for our members to prioritize themselves, learn valuable self-care practices, and access resources to support their well-being.
EDUCATIONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Educational attainment is the key to unlocking upward mobility for Latinas but we know that a degree alone is not enough. Education coupled with social capital and ongoing professional development is the secret recipe MANASD uses to catapult Latinas to professional and personal success. Society at-large can also contribute to Latina empowerment by investing in college readiness, support for first-generation college students, STEM awareness and school-to-career pipeline, and structured workplace mentorship and sponsorship.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & ADVOCACY
This pillar harnesses the power of the Latina community to create systemic change and advances life outcomes. MANASD promotes community engagement at an early age, exposing Hermanitas to the values of comunidad and reciprocity through their mentors who often inspire them to become mentors, volunteers, and scholarship donors once they graduate college. We also amplify the voices of empowered Latinas by providing them opportunities to engage in advocacy efforts through our Advocacy committee, public speaking activities, and our Latina Friendly Workplace Award. Throughout our programs, activities, and events, MANASD continues the legacy of community engagement and advocacy that were the roots of our founding nearly forty years ago.
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
The United Nations and other leading policy and advocacy organizations have highlighted the critical role of economic empowerment in advancing gender equality, as well as being a tool for sustainable development. When women have access to meaningful employment, economies grow and the safety and well-being of women and children improves. Educational attainment is a key contributor to economic empowerment and a primary tool used by MANASD to support that empowerment. We also support economic empowerment through paid internships to reduce the underemployment of first-generation college graduates; through professional development to ensure Latinas are thriving in their careers; and by advocating for equitable workplaces.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Our roles as caretakers is a central aspect of our culture we chose to reframe as a strength, if coupled with healthy boundaries. Recognizing that we too deserve the care and attention we give to others, MANASD integrates health and wellness practices and awareness into our events, programs, and activities. From the mental health education component of our Hermanitas™ and College Success program to the Noche de la Mujer hosted annually by our Wellness Committee, MANASD provides opportunities for our members to prioritize themselves, learn valuable self-care practices, and access resources to support their well-being.
2023-2024 IMPACT
HERMANITAS™
OUTCOMES
100%
on-time graduation
20%
100%
college admission
Increase in the percentage of Hermanitas planning to pursue an advanced degree
92%
Hermanita retention rate
100%
Increase in the percentage in Hermanitas knowledge of career options, leadership skills, self-confidence, and setting goals
100%
on-time graduation
100%
college admission
92%
Hermanita retention rate
20%
Increase in the percentage of Hermanitas planning to pursue an advanced degree
100%
Increase in the percentage in Hermanitas knowledge of career options, leadership skills, self-confidence, and setting goals
100%
college retention rate
34 students
participated in the program in 23-34 and made progress towards bachelors, masters, and medical degrees
93%
college degree completion within 6 years of graduation
11 students
completed degrees in 2024, including 1 Master's degree and 1 Doctor of Medicine degree
COLLEGE SUCCESS SCHOLARSHIPS
OUTCOMES
100%
college retention rate
93%
college degree completion within 6 years of graduation
34 students
participated in the program in 23-34 and made progress towards bachelors, masters, and medical degrees
11 students
completed degrees in 2024, including 1 Master's degree and 1 Doctor of Medicine degree
2024
$84,000 given to 56 LATINAS
$771,000
to date
SCHOLARSHIPS
OUTCOMES
2024
$84,000 given to 56 LATINAS
$771,000
to date
THE LATINO SPIRIT AWARD
In May 2024, MANASD was honored with the Latino Spirit Award for Community Empowerment by the California Latino Legislative Caucus. Great appreciation to Assemblymember David Alvarez for nominating MANASD for this award.
BANK OF AMERICA
NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDERS
In the Fall of 2023, MANASD was recognized as an outstanding community-based organization by receiving this coveted Bank of America funding. This multi-year funding has not only allowed us to grow our funds development capacity but has also provided leadership staff with valuable training and growth opportunities.
MANASD
STRATEGIC PLAN
We have forged ahead with 14 impressive initiatives aimed at supporting our sustainability and increasing our impact.
To see the full scope of our new strategic plan, visit:
LATINA SUCCESS
Spotlight
Ana and Ashley Lopez
Ana and Ashley are sisters who participated in the Hermanitas Program while they were students at National City Middle School.
Both Ana and Ashley received MANA scholarships as they pursued their college education. In the spirit of reciprocity, paying it forward, they both returned to MANASD as Hermanitas mentors.
Both Ana and Ashley completed the Latina Success Leadership Program (LSLP). They both are volunteers in the College Success Program.
Athziry and Ahitza
Athziry and Ahitza are sisters who participated in the Hermanitas™ Program. Both heard about MANASD as participants of the Barrio Logan College Institute (BLCI).
While a college student at San Diego State University, MANASD matched Athziry with a communications internship with a community partner. Athziry was eventually hired as an intern at MANASD. After earning her degree in marketing, Athziry was hired by MANASD for a full-time position. Athziry was recently promoted as Communications & Marketing Lead at MANASD.
Ahitza joined the Hermanitas™ programs as a 7th grader. She participated in the Hermanitas™ program for the full six years, her mentor was Ana Lopez (also highlighted in this report). Ahitza currently participates in MANASD’s College Success Program. She is a nursing student at Southwestern College.
Anamaria Ancheta
Anamaria learned about MANASD in 2018, while pursuing her bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at UC San Diego. Little did Anamaria know that by taking the leap of faith to apply to a MANASD scholarship, she was becoming part of a community that would continue to support her throughout her journey to realizing her dream of becoming a physician.
MANASD helped connect Anamaria to internship opportunities through UC San Diego and Community Health Group. In addition to receiving MANASD Scholarships, she also received access to emergency funds to cover expenses like test prep resources for the Medical Colleges Admission Test (MCAT) and Southwest Airline Flight vouchers to present her research on lowering cesarean section rates amongst Latinas in the border region.
Anamaria shares the MANASD value of reciprocity and comunidad, having volunteered hundreds of hours over the past few years, both inside and outside of the MANA community. She is also an outstanding peer mentor to younger college students sharing relevant resources and information.
Lucia and Sofia Perez Valles
Sofia graduated this year from UCLA in public affairs. As a self-described introvert, Sofia has benefitted from the opportunities to practice her public speaking and outreach/ networking skills. As an Hermanita she was interviewed for a news article, spoke about her experiences with the program for a news agency, and showcased her experiences in front of a large audience at the MANASD Brindis Gala. Once she graduated from UCLA, she was invited back to be the keynote alumnae speaker at the Hermanitas End of Year celebration, an experience she shared on LinkedIn which led to her being asked to emcee for the 2024 Girl Scouts Gold Award Ceremony.
As an Hermanita, Lucia particularly appreciated a seminar at the San Diego Symphony which was not only unique because they received a backstage look at the symphony building but also spoke to her as a dancer who enjoyed learning
about careers in the arts industry. Just recently, MANASD’s partnership with Project Onramp helped her professionally as she was able to secure a summer internship with Acadia Pharmaceuticals as a corporate communications intern. As Lucia shared: “The 3 months I spent with Acadia were full of learning and new experiences, and I thank MANASD for having the right connections that guided me to learn more about myself and my future aspirations.”
MANA BOARD 2023-2024
Annual Report by:
