Catarina is passionate about creating healthier communities and discovering the best ways to create that change. Currently, she is a health coordinator for Harlem Children’s Zone, a nonprofit organization. She leads an obesity prevention and intervention initiative at an after school program for middle school students. She oversees a team of staff members to provide fitness and nutrition classes, family support programming, and healthy food.

Prior to this role, Catarina was focused completely on social entrepreneurship and grassroots community programming. In 2011, she founded a nonprofit program called Healthy Kids in the Heights. The mission of Healthy Kids in the Heights is to improve the health & nutrition of Latino families. A variety of community wellness programs have been offered in Washington Heights and the Bronx.

Catarina has a background in education with four years of teaching experience. She holds a Masters Degree in Dual Language/Bilingual Education from Bank Street College and a BA from Duke University. She is now pursuing a Masters in Public Health (MPH)from Hunter College.

Catarina is a consultant for United Latino Professionals, a social networking organization. She has Usher Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting both hearing and vision. She shares her perspective on her blog (catarinarivera.com) and works to increase awareness of disability issues. She hopes to inspire others to pursue their passions in the face of any challenge.