Our Leadership

Maricela Torres
Cofounder and Executive Director

Formerly President of the Board, Maricela believes in the power of education to transform lives and the importance of serving others by volunteering in the community. Cofounder of Esperanza Community Center, she was born in Michoacán, Mexico. She was ten years old when she came to the United States with her mother and siblings. Maricela grew up in Northern California and experienced firsthand the hardships and challenges facing immigrant workers. As an undocumented teenager, she worked as a migrant worker picking grapes in California and cherries in Oregon. Maricela moved to Florida in 1997. 

Currently, Maricela serves as the Executive Director of Esperanza Community Center. Maricela also serves on the board of Neighborhood Renaissance, a nonprofit development corporation dedicated to building and supporting strong economies and diverse communities. She also serves on the Historical Society of Palm Beach County board.

Through advocacy, partnerships, and strategic fundraising, Maricela has successfully implemented community outreach events to foster a community for the families we serve. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Esperanza, nurtures stakeholder relationships, and oversees all operations. 

Maricela has been featured in Latino Rebels, The Sun Sentinel, and The Palm Beach Post. She frequently comments on community and immigration issues for WPTV, WPBF, and WFLX. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and a Master of Science in Psychology, both from Palm Beach Atlantic University.