Catarina Rivera, MSEd, MPH, CPACC

Catarina Rivera, MSEd, MPH, CPACC Catarina Rivera, MSEd, MPH, CPACC is an influencer

LinkedIn Top Voice in Disability Advocacy | TEDx Speaker | Disability Speaker, DEIA Consultant, Content Creator | Creating Inclusive Workplaces for All Through Disability Inclusion and Accessibility | Keynote Speaker

United States
40K followers 500+ connections

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About

Smashing disability stigmas as a dynamic public speaker, trainer, workshop facilitator, and DEIA consultant. I raise awareness about disability and share my experiences as someone who is hard of hearing and has a vision disability. Building an inclusive culture is critical for your success in today's marketplace. You will improve in accessibility, retain your employees, leap forward in productivity, design better products, and become more innovative.

Areas of Expertise:
➕Disability Awareness
➕Disability Inclusion
➕Addressing Ableism
➕Accessibility
➕Intersectionality + Dimensions of Diversity

🔺Who do I work with? I work with corporations and organizations who are committed to inclusion and accessibility, and seek an experienced speaker and facilitator to help them achieve this goal.

🔺What's my story? I've worn hearing aids from a young age and was diagnosed with a progressive vision disability at 17 years old. I have 14+ years of experience in the public sector in nonprofits and education. I'm also an entrepreneur. I have two graduate degrees. I care about social justice and I'm committed to purpose-driven work. When I'm not following my purpose, I'm studying Italian, traveling, and dancing.

If this resonates with you and you'd like to learn more, connect with me and let's discuss. You can also contact me on my website: https://www.catarinarivera.com/

I look forward to smashing stigmas together.

Services

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Activity

Experience

  • Blindish Latina Graphic

    Public Speaker + DEIA Consultant

    Blindish Latina

    - Present 5 years 5 months

    As a disability public speaker and DEIA consultant, I offer talks and workshops focused on disability awareness, inclusion, and accessibility. Blindish Latina is a platform focused on smashing disability stigmas through education, advocacy, and training. Open to podcast pitches and media requests. Sharing my expertise on Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn. Website: catarinarivera.com

  • KeyNote - Women Speakers Directory Graphic

    Public Speaker, Directory Member

    KeyNote - Women Speakers Directory

    - Present 4 years

  • Dreamers & Doers® Graphic

    Executive Member

    Dreamers & Doers®

    - Present 3 years 10 months

    Dreamers & Doers is an award-winning community and diverse ecosystem amplifying extraordinary entrepreneurial women with the support and visibility they need to change the world.

  • RespectAbility Graphic

    Public Speaker, Member of National Disability Speakers Bureau

    RespectAbility

    - 3 years 8 months

  • Co-Founder

    ExplorEquity (explorequity.com)

    - 3 years 9 months

    ExplorEquity is a sustainable travel company that supports local communities while connecting travelers to real social justice issues. ExplorEquity is an ally amplifying the voices of others on our platforms through social media and blog content. In 2021, ExplorEquity will launch an online store with products and virtual experiences from trusted partners that are aligned with our values.

  • City Harvest

    City Harvest

    6 years 4 months

    • City Harvest Graphic

      Senior Manager, Network Capacity

      City Harvest

      - 2 years 6 months

      Greater New York City Area

      Oversee the development and execution of partner capacity efforts for our agency network, specifically including organizing training, providing funding opportunities for partners and helping develop an online platform where resources can be housed. This work helps our partner organizations who are serving as food access points in their communities grow and thrive. Created a program connecting agencies to volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to over 17,000 volunteers for our…

      Oversee the development and execution of partner capacity efforts for our agency network, specifically including organizing training, providing funding opportunities for partners and helping develop an online platform where resources can be housed. This work helps our partner organizations who are serving as food access points in their communities grow and thrive. Created a program connecting agencies to volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to over 17,000 volunteers for our agency network. Develop, test, iterate and evaluate all network capacity initiatives. Supervise a manager who creates resources and implements network capacity efforts.

    • City Harvest Graphic

      Program Manager

      City Harvest

      - 3 years 10 months

      New York, NY

      - Developing approach to partner capacity building initiative, including an internal scan, external scan, and needs assessment. Will lead to pilot programs.
      - Co-Principal Investigator on Community-Based Participatory Research project entitled "Barriers and Facilitators to Meal Preparation in the Home for Low-Income Latino Families in Washington Heights and Inwood". Project is funded by a grant from the Irving Institute and is in partnership with Columbia University Medical Center. Obtained…

      - Developing approach to partner capacity building initiative, including an internal scan, external scan, and needs assessment. Will lead to pilot programs.
      - Co-Principal Investigator on Community-Based Participatory Research project entitled "Barriers and Facilitators to Meal Preparation in the Home for Low-Income Latino Families in Washington Heights and Inwood". Project is funded by a grant from the Irving Institute and is in partnership with Columbia University Medical Center. Obtained a $30,000 grant for this project.
      - Community organizing of Washington Heights/Inwood Food Council including communications, grant applications and financial management, project management, creating agendas for steering committee meetings, facilitating meetings. Working on sustainability plan for this grassroots group in concert with steering committee.
      - Previously served as Community Engagement Manager, Washington Heights/Inwood. Role included relationship management. partnership development, community organizing, and special projects.
      - I serve on the Steering Committee for the Diversity & Inclusion Council at City Harvest and as the President for our Toastmasters club.

  • Consultant, Trainer, Health Coach

    Freelance

    - 9 years 7 months

    New York, NY

    Facilitated and developed curriculum for all-day nutrition workshops in Spanish for The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc. in 2017-2019. Brand Ambassador for MindBodySoul Yoga Studio August 2015-2016. Social media manager for Pick and Eat Restaurant from 2011-2014. Offer consulting services, articles/blogs, public speaking, and health/nutrition workshops for all audiences. Clients have included EntrepreneurshipEDGE, Public Prep, PS178, Fort Washington Collegiate Church, and…

    Facilitated and developed curriculum for all-day nutrition workshops in Spanish for The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc. in 2017-2019. Brand Ambassador for MindBodySoul Yoga Studio August 2015-2016. Social media manager for Pick and Eat Restaurant from 2011-2014. Offer consulting services, articles/blogs, public speaking, and health/nutrition workshops for all audiences. Clients have included EntrepreneurshipEDGE, Public Prep, PS178, Fort Washington Collegiate Church, and Riverside Church. Served as volunteer nutrition educator for City Harvest and Shape Up NYC. Blog articles published on MomsRising, Being Latino Online Magazine and New Latina. Health tips featured in Latina Magazine (April 2012 issue).

  • Global Glimpse Graphic

    NYC Advisory Board Member

    Global Glimpse

    - 1 year 4 months

    New York, NY

    Advisory board member working to increase awareness and funding for Global Glimpse. In their inaugural year in New York, Global Glimpse provided scholarships for over 100 low-income students to engage in after school workshops travel abroad. The inspiration, motivation, and perspective that these students bring back to the US will create lasting change in their lives, communities and schools. The mission of Global Glimpse is to inspire leadership and global citizenship and expose underserved…

    Advisory board member working to increase awareness and funding for Global Glimpse. In their inaugural year in New York, Global Glimpse provided scholarships for over 100 low-income students to engage in after school workshops travel abroad. The inspiration, motivation, and perspective that these students bring back to the US will create lasting change in their lives, communities and schools. The mission of Global Glimpse is to inspire leadership and global citizenship and expose underserved students to the transformative experience of travel.

  • Harlem Children's Zone

    Harlem Children's Zone

    3 years 2 months

    • Harlem Children's Zone Graphic

      Asthma Health Coordinator, Healthy Harlem Core Team

      Harlem Children's Zone

      - 1 year 2 months

      New York, NY

      • Lead project coordinator for asthma program partnership with an outside service provider
      • Coordinate implementation of asthma strategic plan with 30+ program sites and charter schools
      • Lead meetings and coordinate follow-up actions
      • Develop relationships with outside collaborators and identify resources
      • Develop and implement asthma protocols and policies
      • Evangelist for asthma across the agency, including presentations to senior management
      • Entrepreneurial and…

      • Lead project coordinator for asthma program partnership with an outside service provider
      • Coordinate implementation of asthma strategic plan with 30+ program sites and charter schools
      • Lead meetings and coordinate follow-up actions
      • Develop relationships with outside collaborators and identify resources
      • Develop and implement asthma protocols and policies
      • Evangelist for asthma across the agency, including presentations to senior management
      • Entrepreneurial and tuned-in listener identifying needs and areas of opportunity
      • Revamped program significantly to address needs and areas of opportunity
      • Redesigned referral website with IT
      • Develop and facilitate highly-rated staff training modules
      • Manage the partnership relationship
      • Evaluate program impact
      • Research best practices in the literature and the field
      Achievement: Within first 3 months, generated a significant increase in asthma program referral rates

      Healthy Harlem is a comprehensive obesity intervention. As part of the Healthy Harlem core team, I assist with data quality checks, data analysis, program observations, grant reporting, and program design. I have also helped lead a redesign of the nutrition curriculum.

    • Harlem Children's Zone Graphic

      Health Coordinator

      Harlem Children's Zone

      - 2 years

      TRUCE Fitness and Nutrition Center

      • Coordinated Healthy Harlem, an obesity prevention and intervention initiative at a middle school after school program called Truce Fitness & Nutrition Center
      • Supervised team of 7-10 staff members
      • Provided effective professional development and training to staff members on Healthy Harlem program as well as other areas including classroom management
      • Recruited, screened, interviewed, and evaluated candidates to make hiring decisions
      • Implemented all program components at a…

      • Coordinated Healthy Harlem, an obesity prevention and intervention initiative at a middle school after school program called Truce Fitness & Nutrition Center
      • Supervised team of 7-10 staff members
      • Provided effective professional development and training to staff members on Healthy Harlem program as well as other areas including classroom management
      • Recruited, screened, interviewed, and evaluated candidates to make hiring decisions
      • Implemented all program components at a high level, including family engagement, daily healthy snack, daily physical fitness, nutrition education, and treatment intervention strategy
      • Submitted comprehensive monthly reports with program data and qualitative narrative analysis
      • Managed frequent data collection periods, including data entry and quality control assurance
      Achievement: 100% of students completed 60 minutes of fitness on 90% of days attending program

  • Founder

    Healthy Kids in the Heights

    - 2 years 7 months

    New York, NY

    • Non-profit program empowering families to live healthier lifestyles
    • Organized 3 successful fundraising events and a crowdfunding campaign on RocketHub
    • Successfully applied for and received 2 mini-grants
    • Collaborated on successful applications for City Council funding and a foundation grant
    • Organized a summer fitness program for children and two 6-month parent health programs
    • Recruited and managed over 30 volunteers and interns
    • Developed and designed…

    • Non-profit program empowering families to live healthier lifestyles
    • Organized 3 successful fundraising events and a crowdfunding campaign on RocketHub
    • Successfully applied for and received 2 mini-grants
    • Collaborated on successful applications for City Council funding and a foundation grant
    • Organized a summer fitness program for children and two 6-month parent health programs
    • Recruited and managed over 30 volunteers and interns
    • Developed and designed bilingual curriculum program booklets
    Achievement: Raised over $17,000 in grants and donations
    Achievement: Served over 75 participants through adult and youth programming

  • COO, Assistant Organizer

    United Latino Professionals

    - 3 years 8 months

    United Latino Professionals (ULP) is a social networking platform designed to foster strong connections between its members. ULP offers varied, high-quality programming that expands awareness of Latino culture and supports philanthropic endeavors. As assistant organizer from 2009-2011, I focused on planning quality events and supporting the leadership team's goals. As COO from 2011-2013, I focused on strategic planning, national chapter development, event planning, as well as the recruitment…

    United Latino Professionals (ULP) is a social networking platform designed to foster strong connections between its members. ULP offers varied, high-quality programming that expands awareness of Latino culture and supports philanthropic endeavors. As assistant organizer from 2009-2011, I focused on planning quality events and supporting the leadership team's goals. As COO from 2011-2013, I focused on strategic planning, national chapter development, event planning, as well as the recruitment, training, and management of team members.

  • Transportation Alternatives Graphic

    Play Streets Outreach Ambassador

    Transportation Alternatives

    - 4 months

    New York, NY

    Recruited potential local organizers for the summer 2013 Play Street season, bringing Transportation Alternatives closer to achieving the Mayor’s goal of adding 15 new Play Streets each year. My role involved research, relationship development, advertising/promotion, collaboration and event planning. This was a temporary position.

  • Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation Graphic

    Consultant

    Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation

    - 9 months

    Woodside, NY

    Expanded and developed after-school program teaching nutrition through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Recruited and managed team of interns. Led curriculum development, program evaluation, program budget & materials. Facilitated and taught curriculum at 7 school sites to over 230 students.

  • Success Academy Charter Schools Graphic

    1st grade Founding Teacher

    Success Academy Charter Schools

    - 1 year 2 months

    New York, NY

    Lead teacher, served on writing prompt scoring team

  • NYC Department of Education Graphic

    Elementary School Teacher

    NYC Department of Education

    - 2 years 11 months

    Bronx, NY

    Led 3rd/4th grade bilingual education class and was responsible for all subject areas except Science. Served on the School Leadership Team and Portfolio Committee. Spearheaded the development of the Bilingual Program Leadership Team.

  • Teach For America Graphic

    Corps member

    Teach For America

    - 2 years 1 month

    Part of the movement to close the achievement gap in our educational system.

Education

  • Duke University Graphic

    Duke University

    BA Psychology

    -

    Activities and Societies: Robertson Scholars Program, Co-Founder of Unidos Por Durham (social entrepreneurship venture), Coordinator of Turning the Page family literacy program, Co-President of Mi Gente Latino Student Association, member of Sabrosura latin dance team

  • Hunter College Graphic

    City University of New York-Hunter College

    Master of Public Health (MPH) Community Health Education

    -

    Activities and Societies: Faculty/Student Council, Grove Foundation Scholarship (2013, 2014), Meg Charlop Memorial Fund Scholarship, Fieldwork with the NYC Food Policy Center

  • Fordham University Graphic

    Fordham University

    Executive Education Certificate, Fordham Center for Nonprofit Leaders Nonprofit Management

    -

  • Support Center for Nonprofit Management

    Certificate in Leadership and Supervision Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management

    -

  • Institute for Integrative Nutrition

    Certified Health Coach

    -

  • Bank Street College of Education Graphic

    Bank Street College of Education

    MA Dual Language/Bilingual Education

    -

  • Eleanor Roosevelt High School

    -

    -

    Activities and Societies: Co-Founder of Karate Club, President of Spanish Honor Society, member of Junior Civitan

    Science/Technology Magnet Program
    Internship at USDA-BARC lab

  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Graphic

    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    -

    As a Robertson Scholar, I participated in a campus switch. I lived at UNC-Chapel Hill for one semester and took 2 courses there.

Licenses & Certifications

Skills

Courses

  • Communicating Public Health: From Posters and Pamphlets to Holographs and Hashtags

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  • Community Health Assessment

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  • Community Health Interventions

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  • Community Organizing

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  • Environmental Health and Safety

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  • Health Program Planning and Funding

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  • Intro to Biostatistics

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  • Intro to Epidemiology

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  • Public Health and Health Care Policy and Management

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  • Research Action Workshop on Food Policy in East Harlem

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  • Research and Evaluation for Community Health

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  • Supervised Fieldwork

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  • Urban Health and Society

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  • Visual Media, Public Health, and Technology

    -

Honors & Awards

  • D-30 Disability Impact List Honoree

    Diversability

    Honoring People with Disabilities Globally Who Are Making A Difference.

    Full 2024 list here: https://mydiversability.com/d30-2024-honorees

  • Webby Awards Nominee

    Webby Awards

    Honoring the best of the internet. My Instagram page @BlindishLatina was recognized as a Nominee in the Social category under Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging in 2024. Only about 12% of Webby Awards applicants are selected as Nominees.
    See profile here: https://winners.webbyawards.com/2024/social/general-social/diversity-equity-inclusion/297155/blindish-latina

  • Named to 2018 40 under 40 in NYC Food Policy list

    NYC Food Policy Center

    The Hunter College New York City Food Policy Center has released its annual class of New York City’s 40 individuals under 40 years old who are working to transform the food system. The Center’s honorees include policymakers, educators, community advocates, farmers and innovators who are making significant strides to create healthier, more sustainable food environments and to use food to promote community and economic development.

  • Valedictorian

    -

    Named unofficial valedictorian of the 2016 graduating class.

  • Meg Charlop Memorial Fund Scholar

    CUNY School of Public Health

    The Meg Charlop Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2011 at the CUNY School of Public Health to honor Meg's memory and her legacy in the field of Public Health. The scholarship award is presented annually to one matriculated MPH student, chosen from among all CUNY SPH campuses, who has demonstrated an understanding of and commitment to community health.

  • StartingBloc Social Innovation Fellow

    StartingBloc

    StartingBloc brings together entrepreneurs, activists, bridge-builders, and innovators working to create change. It connect them to their tribe and give them access to the resources, co-conspirators, projects and support they need to create impact.

  • Grove Foundation Scholar

    CUNY School of Public Health- Hunter College

    Received tuition scholarship in 2013 and 2014 funding cycles.

  • Robertson Scholar

    The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program

    Full-tuition scholarship to attend Duke University. http://robertsonscholars.org/

  • William J. Griffith University Service Award

    Duke University

    http://studentaffairs.duke.edu/sites/default/files/u73/Griff.pdf

Languages

  • Spanish

    -

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