Latina-founded • Lived Foster Experience • Professional Leaders
Board of Directors
Nancy Correa
Founder
Nancy Correa, a Long Beach native, is a bilingual Journalist and Digital Content Strategist with experience as a Global Content Manager at Meta and Google. She has also worked as a Bilingual News Digital Content Producer for Univision Bay Area and Los Angeles, highlighting her skills in amplifying diverse narratives.
As a first-generation college graduate and daughter of Mexican immigrants, Nancy understands the transformative power of education and the importance of resources for at-risk youth.
As the founder of Remarkably Us, a California-based nonprofit, Nancy has dedicated herself to creating a safe and impactful space for current and former Latina foster youth through community and storytelling initiatives. Remarkably Us bridges communication gaps among Latinas with shared experiences in the foster care system. As a former foster youth, this mission is particularly meaningful to Nancy, who strives to empower underrepresented communities through impactful storytelling.
Elvira Laguna
Treasurer
Elvira Laguna, a 29-year-old THP (Transitional Housing Program) Social Worker from Orange County, has spent the past decade involved with the Los Angeles DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services). Proudly identifying as an Afro-Latina, Elvira has faced challenges in fully embracing her identity, including feelings of shame related to her connection to the system.
Rather than letting her past define her, Elvira used it as motivation to pursue her dreams and is currently working towards a master's degree. A significant milestone in her journey is her role on the board of "Remarkably Us," which allows her to give back and make a meaningful impact in the lives of those facing similar struggles. Elvira’s journey reflects the strength of resilience and personal belief, inspiring others to persevere in their pursuits.
Marilyn Travis
Secretary
Marilyn Travis, a proud Chicana from Pasadena, California ("the 626"), knows firsthand the resilience of foster youth. She is dedicated to building a platform that centers foster youth by engaging social workers, policymakers, and educators. Her foster care experience has shaped her understanding of familia, allowing her to form deep connections across diverse communities.
With six years of teaching experience, Marilyn currently teaches and advises at East Palo Alto Academy (EPAA) while mentoring student-teachers through Stanford’s STEP program. She engages with fellow educators through initiatives like Intercambio, the Hollyhock Fellowship, and her pursuit of National Board Certification. Her commitment to authenticity, courage, and justice fuels her passion for education.
Shortly after exiting foster care, Marilyn and her siblings were featured in Go Public (2012), a documentary on public education in the Pasadena Unified School District (PUD).
Cecia Cruz
Founding board member
Cecia (Ceci) Cruz is a Mental Health Counselor currently pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Psychology after completing her Bachelor's in Psychology, with plans to earn a Doctorate in clinical research. Born in Tijuana, Mexico, with Indigenous roots from Oaxaca and raised in Long Beach, California, Cecia’s experiences in the foster care system and her personal mental health struggles fueled her passion for the field.
She has worked with diverse populations, including children with autism, adolescents in crisis, and young adults transitioning out of foster care. Cecia has held roles as a Therapeutic Behavioral Specialist, Mental Health Counselor, and Behavioral Interventionist with Applied Behavioral Analysis. In each role, she has supported individuals with foster care backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of mental health coping strategies, especially for those who have faced adversity.
Cecia is excited to contribute to Remarkably Us, sharing her knowledge to inspire others and demonstrate that a brighter future is possible because we are each remarkable.
Gloria Garcia
Founding board member
Gloria Garcia Cisneros is a Wealth Manager at LourdMurray in Los Angeles, specializing in complex financial planning for high net-worth families. As a first-generation Mexican immigrant, she is passionate about empowering underserved communities through financial education. With degrees in Applied Mathematics and Spanish Community and Culture from UCLA, along with a CFP designation, Gloria champions financial fluency initiatives and strives to humanize the industry. She is involved in various initiatives, serves on advisory boards, contributes to diversity efforts in finance, and has been featured in Forbes, NerdWallet, and Fortune, aiming to normalize Latino wealth and make financial literacy accessible to all.
Michelle Chavez
Founding Board Member
Michelle Chavez is a 33-year-old mother of two boys, with a partner also involved in social and community work. Before returning to school in early 2024, she was a Case Manager at a nonprofit supporting children, youth, and families in foster care. A passionate youth advocate, Michelle graduated from the Latina Leaders Institute of Kern County in 2023 and has worked across various fields, including oil administration, 911 dispatching, Child Protective Services, and the medical field. She is a homeowner and is pursuing further education to continue her commitment to serving marginalized communities.
Volunteers
Denisse Ochoa Nguyen
Northern California Volunteer Lead
Denisse Ochoa Nguyen Martinez graduated from San Francisco State University in May 2023 with dual degrees in Biology (Physiology) and Nutrition Dietetics. She plans to pursue a Master's degree in Nutrition in 2025 to become a registered Dietitian, aiming to educate and inspire low-income families to lead healthier lives through improved nutrition.
As the first in her family to graduate, Denisse is passionate about helping others through her work.
Born in Mexico, she entered the U.S. foster care system in Santa Clara County at 15 due to poverty and abuse. After living in multiple foster homes, she found a loving multicultural foster family of Korean and Vietnamese heritage and honored their support by adding her foster father's last name, Nguyen. In 2024, she married and added her partner’s last name, Ochoa.
Denisse is committed to reducing health and nutrition disparities in low-income communities and mentoring foster youth.
Sharaun Young
Northern California Volunteer Lead
Sharaun Young is a former foster child and a retired mother, wife, grandmother, sister, and friend. She is also the small business owner of Four Paws Leathers, where she crafts dog clothes and accessories from recycled materials. Sharaun lives in Vallejo, California, with her husband, Michael, and their four dogs.
Her journey began when she was abandoned by her biological parents at age 11 and spent several years in the Los Angeles County foster care system. At 15, Sharaun became pregnant, ending her time as a ward of the state and transitioning into the welfare system. After raising her four children, she returned to school and now holds two Associate of Arts degrees in Music and Graphic Arts. She is on track to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies in 2025.
Past Interns/Fellows
Fatima Romero
Ready to succeed fellow
Fatima Romero is a first-generation Latina dedicated to bridging the gap between underserved communities and career opportunities. She empowers individuals by dismantling barriers and fostering inclusive environments. As a storyteller and marketing enthusiast, Fatima amplifies voices and creates impactful narratives that drive positive change.
In partnership with Ready to Succeed, she aligned with Remarkably Us program's mission to provide youth impacted by foster care and low-income first-generation college students with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive personally and professionally.
