Erika Cardona

Erika was born in Takoma Park, Maryland, but raised in Richmond, California. As the daughter of immigrants from Nicaragua and El Salvador, she grew up dancing ballet, and played the trumpet, softball, and volleyball.

Since getting her degree in International Studies, with a minor in Spanish Literature from UC San Diego, Erika has dedicated herself to helping others–particularly those in her own community. She has served as a Case Manager for teen moms in Oakland and Richmond, became a Certified Medical Interpreter, and even started her own event planning business, where she planned weddings and community events for a non-profit serving girls of color in Bronx, New York.

For the last three years, Erika has worked for her father's immigration business, Centro Latino Cuscatlan, an organization that provides a wide range of immigration services at low cost for the community.

In her own words, “the one thing I have always been certain about in life is that I want to help people.”