Originally from Mexico, Alicia Espinosa migrated to Chicago with her family in the early 90s. As a Dreamer growing in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, Alicia witnessed firsthand the untiring perseverance of immigrant families and their pursuit to obtain financial security; inspiring her to make a difference in her community. After receiving her BA in Behavioral Science from National-Louis University, she served as an AmeriCorps VISTA, where she helped expand financial literacy programming across Chicago’s southwest side.
Currently, Alicia Espinosa is the Director of Empresarias del Futuro, an all-Spanish entrepreneurship program at Mujeres Latinas en Accion, dedicated in assisting Latina women jumpstart a small business and obtain financial independence. Alicia is well aware of the barriers Latinas face coming to the United States. She hopes that through her work in the EDF program she is able to lessen these barriers and help clients gain financial security.
In addition to her work at Mujeres, she is also engaged in a research study with the University of Chicago’s Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab, a study that focuses on promoting parent’s engagement in building children’s math skills in disadvantaged communities. S
he lives in the southwest side of Chicago with her longtime partner and son. In her spare time, Alicia enjoys spending time with her family and listening to Flamenco.
