Owner of Todo Tess Co., assistant director of alumni relations at the University of Northern Colorado
26 Years Old • Greeley
Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.
I was born in Lima, Peru, and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., where I learned the value of community, culture and resilience. As the fourth oldest of eight siblings in a low-income, immigrant household, I grew up navigating challenges that shaped my drive and purpose. I became a first-generation college graduate, found my voice through student leadership and built a career in higher education focused on equity and belonging. I’m now earning my MBA, running a small resin art business and working to create spaces where others feel seen, heard and empowered because that’s what changed everything for me.
Explain your career, achievements and professional highlights.
I serve as the assistant director of alumni relations at the University of Northern Colorado, where I lead career programs that connect alumni and students. I also serve as the vice chair for the Professional Administrative Staff Council at UNC. I am currently earning my MBA at Colorado State University and was elected communications director for the Colorado Coalition for the Educational Advancement of Latinx (CoCEAL). Outside of work, I run Todo Tess Co., a resin art business that brings culture and creativity to life.
In what ways do you give back to the community?
My family and I started the Angel Nicolas Inc. organization in honor of my late brother, Nicolas, who passed away in a car crash. We host monthly events to feed unhoused communities in Denver and support families facing sudden loss. I lead the event planning and fundraising and run our social media channels to keep his memory alive through action. I also serve on CoCEAL’s leadership team, managing the branding and social media to uplift Latinx professionals in higher education.
What do you consider your biggest accomplishment or challenge you’ve overcome, either professionally or personally?
I started Todo Tess Co. as a small act of healing, and it has become one of the most meaningful parts of my life. I create and sell handmade resin art at local markets and online, using my platform to tell stories through color and creativity. As a queer, Afro-Latine artist, creating has helped me feel more grounded in who I am. It has become a way to honor where I’ve been and where I’m going.
Tell us something unique about you.
I was the first openly gay Afro-Latine student body president at UNC. Holding that position meant more than the title: It was about showing up fully in my identity and creating space for others to do the same. It was challenging, but it taught me how to lead with courage and vulnerability. I’ll never forget what it felt like to be seen by students who finally saw themselves reflected in leadership.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?
In five years, I hope to expand Todo Tess Co. into a creative hub that includes event planning, wedding design and an art collective in Greeley where BIPOC and queer artists can gather, create and be celebrated. In 10 years, I see myself deeper in my career, possibly doing DEI consulting or leading equity-centered initiatives. I’d love for Todo Tess Co. to grow alongside me, incorporating workshops, community building and art-based healing spaces.
What piece(s) of advice would you give to your younger self?
Do not doubt yourself. You deserve to take up space and for your voice to be heard. You are powerful, and everything about your story matters.
Tell us about Todo Tess Co. What got you interested in owning an art business?
Todo Tess Co. is my COVID baby. I started it during quarantine as I searched for creative outlets to help me grieve the sudden loss of my younger brother. I’ve always been crafty and found comfort in art from a young age, but resin was a new medium I stumbled on through social media. What started as a fun hobby quickly became something more as people began ordering pieces and requesting custom designs. With their support, I turned it into a business and named it in honor of my brother, weaving in his life motto, “never wasting dreams,” to remind myself to keep creating, dreaming and honoring him through art. I’ve sold my pieces at art markets across Colorado, and while I’m still learning, my favorite part remains bringing people’s ideas to life through custom creations.
In what ways does the Angel Nicolas Inc. organization honor your late brother? What is the connection between him and this specific cause?
Nicolas was truly an angel on Earth, always looking for ways to give back, especially to unhoused individuals. No matter where we were, he wanted to offer them water, food or anything else we had. His heart for others was what inspired my family to create Angel Nicolas Inc. We experienced both housing instability and the heartbreak of losing Nick unexpectedly, so this cause is deeply personal. Beyond meals and resources, we offer financial support to grieving families navigating funeral costs and lost income. Everything we do is rooted in his legacy of compassion and care.
Local business shoutout:
Greeley has an amazing local business scene, and as a true foodie, I can’t pick just one. Pho Duy is my go-to for a comforting bowl of pho, while Thai One’s pad thai is unmatched. My wife and I even went to Sweet Talk Shoppe for mini pancakes right after our wedding. On Tuesdays, you’ll catch us at El Mero Mero, enjoying $2 tacos and a giant piña agua fresca.
