I Can Support

Develop Community-Centered

Strategies and Programs

Let's create community-centered strategies that are inclusive, co-designed, and grounded in real-life experience, so your programs make a lasting, meaningful impact.

Plan & Facilitate Powerful Conference Sessions

Let's design conference sessions that spark energy, foster real connection, and inspire meaningful learning through creative formats, dynamic storytelling, and engaging facilitation.

Build Workshops with Purpose!

Let's create workshops and learning modules—online or in-person—that center belonging, trust, and accountability, all tailored to your mission and built for real connection, meaningful learning, and lasting impact.

... and more!

Read the Latest

People-Centered Learning That Builds Real Connection!

I partnered with 12 food banks and over 60 people, guiding them through a peer-learning journey to rethink how they serve their communities.

We moved beyond traditional metrics and focused on the lived experiences and voices of those they serve.

The real impact wasn’t just in the tools we developed—it was in the relationships we built. At the end, participants were already dreaming up ways to stay connected and keep learning together.

We didn’t just create strategies.

We built connection.

We built community.

That’s the kind of work that stays with you.

My journey in the nonprofit sector began in the west suburbs of Chicago, where I learned the power of curiosity and deep listening. I spent time understanding the diverse challenges faced by people experiencing hunger, which laid the foundation for designing strategies to bridge gaps in access to healthy, culturally appropriate foods.

One project I’m particularly proud of is the Home Delivery program for seniors. We started small, delivering culturally relevant groceries to just 20 seniors, allowing them to choose items that suited their needs. What began as a small effort grew into a program serving over 300 households, building real relationships and addressing the unique challenges of those we served.

For me, sustainable change comes from centering communities, listening to what they truly need, and ensuring power is shared. This project is a reflection of my belief that when every voice is heard and valued, real transformation happens.

Work I am

Most Proud Of

Shaping Culture Through Courageous Conversations

One of my proudest moments was co-leading organization-wide trainings that transformed how teams make decisions, from leadership to frontline staff.

We introduced tools like group agreements and accountability frameworks, not as checklists, but as ways to embed shared values into everyday decisions. At the heart of this work was creating a culture of trust, feedback, and belonging.

But it went deeper.

We created space for tough conversations about hunger, oppression, and access.

• We didn’t aim for perfection—we aimed for presence.

• We learned to call each other in, not out.

• We chose curiosity over judgment.

And through it all, we built something real.

This work showed me that when organizations lead with courage and care, transformation happens, not just in teams, but in systems.

It’s moments like this that remind me of the power of intentional, courageous work.

Leading Community-Centered Projects & Strategies

Featured Articles

Recommendations

"Adriana brings a strong mix of facilitation skills, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to community to everything she takes on. Her approach is thoughtful and intentional, and she consistently leads with her values, centering equity, inclusion, and relationships in every step of the work. She has a talent for creating space where honest, often difficult conversations can happen. Adriana also knows how to challenge systems in smart, constructive ways. She’s not afraid to ask hard questions to make sure the right voices are being centered and the work stays aligned with its purpose. "

Amy Beros

"Adriana impressed me from our first meeting. In fact, we delayed hiring for the position she applied for so that she could take the job two months later. It was a new role, and Adriana poured herself into forming new structures and program modifications, creating the job as she worked it. She independently researched specialized training and participated in networking to advance her skills. After that first position, we created two new positions with greater responsibilities to continue to challenge her--and take advantage of her ever-growing skill set. Adriana is curious, tenacious, passionate, and whip-smart. She is a creative problem-solver, builder, and analytical thinker."

Michele Zurakowski

"Adriana has been my colleague for a decade, as we have worked together in two different organizations. Both organizations are mission-based, providing a platform where Adriana can bring her passion, expertise, and perspective from her lived experience to the work. I have seen Adriana lead sessions where she has created an environment in which participants of all backgrounds feel respected, supported, and valued. She actively contributes to creating a culture in which everyone has an opportunity to fully contribute by listening to understand and amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups. Adriana’s facilitation skills are key to her leadership. She is able to convey clear and effective messages using verbal and written communication to individuals, small groups, and large audiences. She is a leader who finds creative ways to engage participants to act upon the mission while meeting them where they are."

Ricardo J. Garcia Cruz