Board Member Spotlight: Mariana, A Voice for Culture, Community, and Connection
At Na’atik, we are honored to welcome a powerhouse of passion and purpose to our board: Mariana Savela, a dedicated advocate for Latino communities in Wisconsin and now, a our new board member here at Na’atik.
Rooted in Community Support
Mariana brings a wealth of experience from her role as the president of HOLA (Healthy Opportunities for Latin Americans), a nonprofit based in central Wisconsin. HOLA’s mission? To serve the Latino population through family support, healthcare navigation, immigration referrals, and cultural engagement.
Mariana and her team connect families to vital services, whether it's help finding a school, applying for rent assistance, navigating the U.S. healthcare system, or preserving cultural identity through traditional music and dance. “We form folkloric groups and teach the children our traditions,” Mariana shares. “It’s not just about support. It’s about pride.”
In just a year and a half, Mariana has helped grow HOLA from a university-led outreach program into a fully operational nonprofit with multi-million-dollar grants, cultural initiatives, and deep community roots.
A Perfect Fit for Na’atik
So why Na’atik? For Mariana, it was an instant connection. “When I learned that one of the goals of Na’atik is to preserve the culture of the Maya people, I felt a shared mission,” she explains. “At HOLA, we want to show that we contribute to the economy, but also celebrate who we are. Na’atik is doing the same—through language, through culture, through education.”
As someone who’s seen how language barriers impact opportunities, Mariana is especially inspired by Na’atik’s commitment to multilingual education. “Being multilingual opens doors. Na’atik gives local kids the chance to learn English and grow their futures.”
Building Bridges Across Borders
Mariana has a full plate, serving on the boards of multiple organizations, from a mental health coalition in Wisconsin to the state’s farmworker advocacy network. But she’s not letting her packed schedule stop her from making an impact at Na’atik.
“I can’t be in charge of anything,” she laughs, “but I can be a voice.” As an ambassador for Na’atik, Mariana is spreading the word to donors, volunteers, and anyone curious about language, culture, or community. She states that through HOLA, they meet people all the time who care about these things. Now, she can tell them: “there's a school in Mexico doing amazing work, you should check it out.”
We’re thrilled to have Mariana on our team. Her experience, heart, and hustle bring a fresh energy to the Na’atik community and we can’t wait to see what bridges she helps us build next.
To learn more about Na’atik’s English language program for local and Indigenous students in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, visit our Impact Page. We are only able to provide this much needed program thanks to the support of generous donors and the funds raised from our award winning Maya and Spanish Immersion Program. If you would like to support our mission please consider donating today or take a look at our immersion programs and online class packages.