Why she does it
Karina is very passionate and committed to raising consciousness and taking concrete actions around women’s rights issues, gender equity, and violence against women. Karina is on a mission to assist empower women in embracing their identity unapologetically.
From a very young age, Karina experienced gender inequities and sexual harassment firsthand. She faced a lot of challenges for being outspoken about her rights and those of other women that she witnessed being oppressed, abused, and abiding by societal standards that promote limiting beliefs and toxic roles about what it means to be a "true" woman.
Karina knew that she was going to be in the helping professions as early as her pre-teen years. She wanted to be an ambassador for change in promoting equitable and just communities in general, and especially being a women's rights change maker.
Empowerment Psychotherapist
& Leadership Coach
As Seen On...
Examples of Karina's advocacy for women's rights
Steering Committee Member-Brides' March against Domestic Violence
For the last 13 years, Karina has been an active co-organizer of the Brides March Against Domestic Violence every September 26, an annual event that was started in New York City in 2001 to remember Gladys Ricart, a Dominican woman from Washington Heights, who was murdered on September 26, 1999, by her abusive former boyfriend on the day she was to wed her fiancé. The mission of the Brides' March is to raise awareness of domestic violence and its consequences. To date, thousands of women, men, and youth, among them members of the Ricart family and other families affected by domestic violence, along with elected officials, and scores of domestic violence advocates and survivors, gather every September 26, rain or shine, to memorialize Gladys and the many other victims who have also lost their lives to domestic violence.
For more information about the March: www.BridesMarch.com
NYC Mayor's Office Immigrant Women's Fellowship & WomensActivism.NYC Recognition:
Karina’s contribution to New York City communities, and in particular, women's rights and immigrant communities, has been recognized by the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs- In 2015, Karina was selected as part of 15 immigrant leaders citywide and graduated from a four-month fellowship program for established women leaders.
WomensActivism.nyc Recognition:
Karina's track record of exemplary advocacy and services for women gained her a slot and recognition in the Women's Activism NYC. WomensActivism.NYC is a five-year celebration of women’s activism and the Women’s Suffrage Centennial. The NYC Department of Records and Information Services created WomensActivism.NYC to honor the anniversary of women winning the right to vote in New York State in 1917 and in the United States in 1920. Their goal is to create a permanent New York City archive of women who have made a difference through their activism and in turn inspire activism today. More information: women activism.NYC/catalog/361
NYC Mayor's Office Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee:
NYC Mayor's Office Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee:
As a member of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee in 2015, Karina and fellow anti-violence leaders were charged with examining information on domestic violence fatalities that occur in New York City and formulating recommendations to improve services and reduce domestic violence deaths. Karina's appointment was a result of her demonstrated commitment to helping those impacted by intimate partner violence and abuse in the home, and contributions to City policies and services that contribute to eradicating domestic violence for more than a decade. During this time, Karina served as the Program Director for Nuevo Amanecer, an award-winning anti-domestic violence program coordinated by the Dominican Women’s Development Center (DWDC). www.dwdc.org
Karina's Credentials
DEGREES
- Master's Degree in Social Work at the Silverman School of Social Work at Hunter College.
Concentrations: Organizational Leadership & Management & Clinical Work - Bachelor's Degree in Women's Studies & Sociology
The City University of New York - Hunter College.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, & MEMBERSHIPS:
- U.S. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)- Licensed Master's Social Worker (LMSW).
- Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) Accredited by the International Coach Federation: Certified Professional Coach: Leadership, Career & Life Coaching Specialty
- National Association of Social Workers-Member
- Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI) Certification
RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE:
Karina served as Managing Director for Citywide Community Services at the New York City Commission on Human Rights, educating the public about the City Human Rights Law, which protects New Yorkers from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Additionally, she served as the Program Director for Nuevo Amanecer, an award-winning anti-domestic violence program coordinated by the Dominican Women’s Development Center. Karina worked with the Center for a decade, serving as a counselor, program supervisor, and director, and currently serves as a proud board member.