ESMERALDA HERRERA

BORN AND RAISED IN THE BRONX, ESMERALDA HERRERA IS AN ECOSYSTEM BUILDER WHO WORKS AT THE INTERSECTION OF BUSINESS AND SOCIAL IMPACT TO SUPPORT LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS.

AS DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS AT COMMUNITAS AMERICA, ESMERALDA MANAGES AN ACCELERATOR IN THE BRONX THAT WORKS DIRECTLY WITH FOUNDERS – PRIMARILY WOMEN AND ENTREPRENEURS OF COLOR – TO HELP BUILD, LAUNCH, AND EXPAND SOCIAL VENTURES THAT REACH VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES. ESMERALDA IS DRIVEN BY INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO CREATING IMPACT.

SHE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE TO ENSURE VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO FLOURISH. SHE HAS PREVIOUSLY WORKED WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN INDIA AND CHINA TO EMPOWER LOCAL CHANGEMAKERS TO REVITALIZE THEIR LOCAL ECONOMY. ESMERALDA BELIEVES IN THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS IN ORDER TO CONNECT COMMUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, FOR LEARNING, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY DISRUPT THE CYCLE OF GENERATIONAL POVERTY NATIONWIDE AND WORLDWIDE.

IN HER SPARE TIME, YOU CAN FIND HER DANCING, FARMING, IN THE GYM (PRE-PANDEMIC), VOLUNTEERING AT THE RED CROSS, OR HANGING OUT WITH LOVED ONES.