Monica is the Executive Director of Casa Mateo, a shelter supporting newly arrived Women and Children. Monica is a dedicated and passionate Master of Social Work committed to serving Houston’s diverse and underserved communities. She has worked in the social work space for more than a decade. She previously served as Sr. Manager of the Immigration and Citizenship Program at BakerRipley, where she specialized in providing holistic legal and social services to newly arriving families from the Southern border. Her focus is on systems and program development that provides trauma-informed support and addresses barriers to access to service. She is an advocate who works alongside stakeholders to address disparities among vulnerable populations. Her goal is to create a safe and welcoming space for all.