Lorena Aguayo-Márquez

About Lorena Aguayo-Márquez

I am an educator, community organizer, and connector with over 25 years of experience creating pathways for equity, belonging, and impact. My work lives at the intersection of education, workforce development, media, and the outdoors, spaces where voices are uplifted, access is expanded, and communities thrive.As Community Impact Manager at WGVU Public Media, I lead initiatives that bring people together through storytelling, dialogue, and collaboration. I also serve as a producer for Color Out Here, a project that celebrates diverse voices and lived experiences in outdoor spaces, amplifying narratives that too often go unheard.Previously, I spent nearly two decades at Grand Rapids Community College, managing innovative grants and building partnerships that strengthened student success and workforce opportunities.My leadership journey has been shaped by fellowships and training with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network, the National Equity Project, national conferences, and other transformative programs that deepened my practice in equity-driven change management. Along the way, I’ve learned the importance of using my voice, sharing insights, lifting others, and sparking dialogue. This has led me to present at state and national conferences, where I speak on building inclusive cultures, community partnerships, and innovative strategies for equity and belonging.I thrive on building bridges, whether that’s connecting learners to opportunities, fostering belonging in outdoor spaces with Latino Outdoors Grand Rapids, or amplifying Latina leadership through the Latina Network of West Michigan. My approach is rooted in curiosity, cultural connectedness, and the belief that when people feel respected, seen, heard, and valued, they can truly shine. Areas of impact and passion include:Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB)Leadership development & organizational cultureWorkforce and talent pipeline strategiesCommunity partnerships & collective impactStorytelling for social changeExpanding access to the outdoors for BIPOC communitiesI believe in leading with heart, responsibility, and vision, always focused on the seeds we plant today that grow into opportunities for tomorrow.

Experience

1. Community Impact Manager

   Wgvu

   Oct 2024 — Present · Grand Rapids, MI, US

   At WGVU, I lead community impact initiatives that connect public media with the voices, needs, and strengths of our community. My work centers on building partnerships, curating events, and creating spaces for dialogue that advance equity, belonging, and positive change. From film screenings and workshops to collaborative projects with local organizations, I ensure WGVU serves not only as a trusted source of PBS and NPR programming but also as a catalyst for connection, learning, and action across West Michigan.

Education

• Grand Valley State University

  Master of Education (M.Ed.), Educational Leadership

  2015

• ITT Technical Institute- Wyoming

  Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.)

• Ferris State University

  Latino Talent Initiative

  2017