Marcela has an extensive background serving in various industries including government, business, professional, nonprofit, and community organizations and associations since 2002. She has developed a particular expertise in effectively reaching diverse markets and advising organizations on cross-cultural communication strategies. She has served as board member and advisor in the following entities:
President-elect of the National Speakers Association New York City Chapter (2023)
Vicepresident of the National Speakers Association New York City Chapter (2022)
Board of Directors of Ascension Saint Thomas, Nashville, TN (2020-2022)
Commissioner of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville Human Relations Commission (2015 - 2020)
Nashville Business Alliance PAC (2019 - 2020)
Board member of FUTURO INC. (2015 - 2020)
Founder and Executive Director of Entrepreneur Latina Leaders of America (ELLA) (2015 - 2019)
President and Board Chair, Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce (2014 - 2018)
Board member of The Women's Fund (2017 - 2019)
Member of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville Minority Business Advisory Council (2018)
Board member of Studio Tenn (2017)
Board member of The Nashville Film Festival (2017)
Member of the Leadership Team of Leadership Nashville (2017)
Committee Member of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Master Plan (2016)
Member of the Leadership Nashville Class of 2016
National Hispanic Advisory Board of the Broadway League, VIVA BROADWAY! (2012-2015)
Board of Ambassadors, Conexión Américas (2015,)
Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (BOD, 2010-2013)
Board of Governors of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce (2004-2010)
Member of the Metro Council of the Nashville Municipal Auditorium (2003 – 2009)
YMCA Latino Achievers (Advisory Board 2010-2014)
Nashville International Soccer Cup (BOD, 2011-2013)
Member of Skanska Diversity Council (2011-2012, 2017)
Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce; Marketing & Events Chair (2008-2014)
Celebrate Nashville 200 Years Mayor Purcell’s Steering Committee (2006)
Communications Committee for the Music City Convention Center (2006)
Board member of Pencil (2006 - 2008)
Board member of Our Kids (2006 - 2008)
Board member of YWCA (2003-2005)
Board member of Oasis Center (2008-2009)
Board member of the Center for Non-profit Management (2003-2006)
Board member of CABLE (2003-2005) - organization for women’s professional advancement
Middle Tennessee Council Boy Scouts Hispanic Project Committee (2003)
Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council (2003 – 2007)
Advisory Board of Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum (2003 – 2004, 2016)
Founding board member of Conexión Américas – (2002-2004); board president- (2004-2006)