Born and raised in Mexico, when she was 12 years old Itzel and her family moved to Omaha, where she is currently VP of Advancement & Community Relations at the AIM Institute. In our conversation, we talk about bravery, her journey as an undocumented immigrant, the "glass mountain" of leadership, and her unquenchable energy for community and entrepreneurship.

An active member of the Hispanic and broader community, Itzel has played a key role in the growth of the annual Cinco de Mayo Omaha festivities. She is a recent graduate of the Non-Profit Leadership Institute and Leadership Omaha and is currently participating in the inaugural class of Opportunity Corps 2022, a professional development and entrepreneurship mentorship program for Women in STEAM through the UNeTech Institute and Bio Nebraska.