Esmeralda Garcia, MBA, is a bilingual Research Professional and Promotora with the Texas Center for Disability Studies at The University of Texas at Austin. Through the PODER Familiar and ASPEN projects, she facilitates culturally and linguistically responsive parent education and engagement activities for Spanish-speaking families of children with developmental disabilities.
Esmeralda coordinates bilingual Promotora sessions, supports data collection and analysis, synthesizes participant feedback, and collaborates with researchers and families to develop accessible resources that strengthen family participation and advance equity in disability research. She brings more than 15 years of experience across higher education, community engagement, workforce development, program leadership, and family-centered initiatives.
As a caregiver and disability advocate, Esmeralda brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. She is committed to elevating family voices, strengthening family-professional partnerships, and ensuring that Spanish-speaking families have meaningful opportunities to shape the programs and research intended to serve their communities. She holds an MBA in Technology and Management and completed the Leadership Education in Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program at UTHealth Houston.