Ana María emigrated to the U.S. from Colombia at the age of 17 and has become a leading voice for racial justice, economic justice and immigrant rights in New York and nationally, first as co-Executive Director of Make the Road New York (MRNY), and now as co-Executive Director of the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD).

During Ana María’s 13 years at MRNY Make the Road New York, it led transformative victories for low-income New Yorkers over the last decade: helping put millions of dollars in the pockets of low-wage workers by winning increases to the minimum wage, paid sick days, and protections from wage-theft; and leading campaigns to win public policies making New York City one of the leading Sanctuary Cities in the U.S. MRNY is bringing the experiences of immigrants to the forefront of the public debate and are shaping public policy on housing, education, healthcare, policing, civil rights and more.

In 2014, Ana María became Co-Executive Director at the Center for Popular Democracy, and helped build it into one of the largest community organizing networks in the country, with 45 affiliate organizations in 32 states. CPD and its affiliates represent a powerful multi-racial alliance of immigrants, African Americans and white working class communities working to advance an agenda of racial and economic justice. CPD and its affiliates have played a major role in racial and economic justice. CPD and its affiliates have played a major role in the national movement to raise the minimum wage and win family-sustaining jobs, resulting in raises for close to 11 million workers. Working with local progressive elected officials CPD network has helped elevate the role of cities as places for policy innovation that advances immigrant rights, workplace justice, and economic opportunity for communities of color.