The Team
Who We Are
Yadi Ortiz
Yadira Ortiz
Executive Director
UndocuEdu Lead
For over a decade, Yadira has collaborated with students, families, staff and faculty in the educational system to advocate for procedural and institutional change. She has continuously been an advocate for students and works to ensure that students are empowered, engaged and encouraged. Yadira has also mentored students, student organizations and their allies in becoming agents of change for themselves and others.
Witnessing the lack of assistance for undocumented students in higher education has pushed Yadira to research, create and establish resources, programming, emergency grants and trainings in the CSU and other educational systems. She has created workshops and presentations regarding the following topics: higher education, the needs of undocumented students, ally trainings, how to establish resource centers, the importance of networking and more. Yadira was fundamental in founding the Dream Success Center at California State University, San Bernardino and was recently the Assistant Director for Long Beach State’s Dream Success Center.
Yadira has years of experience in community outreach, advising, and presenting at local and national conferences. She has also been a vocal representative during round table conversations with local consulates, immigration lawyers and counselors to discuss the needs of the community.
Maria Navarro
Nursing Connect Lead
I’m passionate about advancing population health, with a focus on maternal and reproductive health for immigrant and undocumented communities. My experiences with the Maternal-Fetal Medicine team at Stanford University and the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment at UCSF have strengthened my commitment to serving underrepresented populations and promoting equitable healthcare access.
Earlier in my career, I worked in higher education as a Resource Specialist, helping establish a Dream Center at San Joaquin Delta College to support undocumented and first-generation students in navigating resources and opportunities.
As Project Coordinator at Pre-Health Dreamers, I design and lead programs that expand access to health professions education for undocumented students while supporting them in navigating complex policies and advocating for systemic change that advances equity and inclusion. Our work has been recognized with the 2026 Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Award for Excellence in Social Mission in Health Professions Education Program, the 2024 ECMC Go Program Award and the 2025 1645 Equity Architect Award, which honors transformative contributions to equity, access, and systems change for undocumented students
I am dedicated in shaping a future where healthcare and education are accessible to all. I enjoy connecting with others who share my passion for health equity, reproductive justice, and policy advocacy.
Angeles Almaraz
Pathways Lead
Angeles Almaraz Villanueva is a Mexican immigrant who grew up in California's Central Valley, where her roots deeply shape her commitment to both medicine and social equity. Now a third year medical student at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, Angeles is driven by a passion to advocate for underserved communities. She works closely with pre-health students, Latinx/POC populations, and undocumented individuals, with a focus on expanding access to higher education, healthcare, and social services.
As a pre-med, she was part of Pre-Health Dreamers as a scholar, later as a mentor and then became part of the staff. The work and advocacy of PHD was instrumental in her journey to medicine. She strongly believes that PHD is a unique space for undocumented students- where their passion, magic and power is celebrated and amplified. She is ecstatic to be back with the team as the Project Coordinator for the Pathways program.
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