Teresa Barajas is a community engagement strategist and nonprofit leader with over a decade of experience building partnerships, leading organizations, and designing initiatives that expand access to opportunity for youth and families in historically underserved communities. Her work sits at the intersection of community engagement, education systems, and strategic communications—focused on strengthening trust and connection between institutions and the communities they serve.
Teresa’s path into this work is rooted in her early experience as the daughter of immigrants, growing up with a clear but narrow understanding of traditional career paths like teacher, lawyer, or nurse. While she was expected to pursue higher education, she did not initially have exposure to the broader range of careers or opportunities available to her. That experience shaped an early awareness of how access, information, and exposure influence what young people believe is possible for themselves—and continues to inform her commitment to expanding opportunity pathways for others.
Most recently, Teresa served in an executive leadership role within the YMCA, where she oversaw operations, programming, and community partnerships, leading efforts that provided youth development, family engagement, and wellness opportunities at scale. She has since transitioned into communications for a public school district in Austin, Texas, where she shapes messaging and strategy to better connect schools with families and the broader community.
Earlier in her career, Teresa led community engagement initiatives at a major cultural institution, where she designed and implemented programs that connected Black and Latino youth and families to STEAM career pathways. Across her roles, she has built cross-sector partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and community-based organizations, consistently translating institutional goals into community-centered impact.
Teresa holds a Master’s degree in Social Sector Leadership and Nonprofit Management from the University of Chicago and is an Obama Foundation Scholar. She is passionate about advancing equity by building ecosystems of support that empower families, strengthen communities, and create sustainable pathways for long-term success.