Hi, I’m Marcela.
I ignite transformation through human connection.
Watch my TEDx Talk
Can human connection change a life trajectory?
In my TEDx talk, I share how that's exactly what happened to me. Growing up in generational poverty, I had a teacher who saw beyond my circumstances and helped me break free from systemic barriers. That experience didn't just change my life—it shaped my life's work.
Today, I challenge educators everywhere to "break the box" of labels and limitations. Through purposeful relationships, we can redefine what's possible for every student. My talk explores the five transformative principles from my book, Purposeful Educator Connections, showing how understanding students' contexts, collaborating with families, and fostering meaningful connections can unlock potential that traditional systems overlook.
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I believe in the transformative power of humanity.
I rose from generational poverty to become a Harvard-educated CEO because one person saw my potential when the system saw a statistic. That experience didn't just change my trajectory—it revealed a truth most leaders ignore: human connection isn't optional, it's everything. Now, as the CEO of designEDengagement and author of Purposeful Educator Connections, I help organizations stop the bleeding of disengagement, turnover, and broken culture by teaching them what saved my life—how to build relationships that actually matter. I'm the daughter of Cuban and Mexican immigrants, a proud Latina entrepreneur, and someone who refuses to let leaders treat people like numbers on a spreadsheet when I know firsthand that one meaningful connection can rewrite someone's entire story.Making Headlines
Award-Winning Book
Purposeful Educator Connections
What if one relationship could change everything? Purposeful Educator Connections delivers five principles that transform how we connect with the people we're meant to serve. From understanding your why to designing high-quality environments and fostering meaningful partnerships, this book offers practical strategies, compelling case studies, and reflection questions that turn intention into impact. It's a reminder that in a world obsessed with systems and metrics, human connection remains our greatest legacy—and our most urgent responsibility.
