Our Leadership
Maricela Torres
Cofounder and Executive Director
Maricela Torres is a passionate advocate for immigrant families and a dedicated community leader. At the age of ten, she immigrated to the United States with her mother and siblings. Growing up in Northern California, Maricela experienced firsthand the challenges faced by immigrant workers, laboring as a migrant farmworker during her teenage years, contributing to her deep understanding of their struggles. These experiences fueled her determination to pursue education to create opportunities and advocate for others.
In 2019, Maricela co-founded the Esperanza Community Center in West Palm Beach, aiming to empower day laborers and families in the Northwood area. As Executive Director, she oversees daily operations, nurtures stakeholder relationships, and leads initiatives that promote education, advocacy, and community engagement. Her leadership has been instrumental in implementing programs addressing wage theft prevention, women's empowerment, and youth development.
Beyond Esperanza, Maricela serves on the boards of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, Neighborhood Renaissance, and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, and volunteers as a high-school mentor with Take Stock in Children Palm Beach.
Maricela's insights on community and immigration issues have been featured in outlets such as Latino Rebels, The Sun Sentinel, and The Palm Beach Post.She is also a frequent commentator for WPTV, WPBF, and WFLX.She holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and a Master of Science in Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Yirna Buitrago
Office Services Coordinator
Yirna brings over fifteen years of experience training social leaders and coordinating community development initiatives across diverse populations. She has shaped public policies for people with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence, LGBTQ+ individuals, children, seniors, and those displaced by violence.
In 2019, she joined Esperanza as a volunteer and quickly advanced to Office Services Coordinator, where she manages daily operations and fosters partnerships with local nonprofits and agencies. Yirna has developed and implemented outreach workshops on workers’ rights, wage-theft prevention, and health education—programs that have reached hundreds of day laborers and their families.
A lifelong learner, she holds degrees in Physiotherapy, Social Management, and Community-Based Rehabilitation, and completed the Community Health Work certification with the Florida Certification Board. Her varied roles—from policy advisor to grassroots organizer—give her a unique perspective on the challenges facing immigrant and low-income communities.
Board of Directors
Enid Cochran
President
Joan Waitkevicz
Secretary
Marta L. Santos
Treasurer
Jezabel Maisonet
Member
