Futuriza Scholarship Fund

At the Futuriza Scholarship Fund, we’re not just closing the Latina wage gap — we’re launching futures. Our mission is to uplift Latinas from elementary through college by breaking barriers in STEM through financial scholarships, culturally responsive mentorship, wraparound support services, and vibrant community engagement.

We envision a future where Latinas lead in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — empowered by education, confidence, and culture. By investing in their potential today, we are building a world where representation, innovation, and opportunity thrive. Because when Latinas rise, we all rise.

The Futuriza Scholarship Fund is proudly overseen by She Leads: Latina Leadership Initiative. As the fiscal agent, She Leads ensures strong governance, mission alignment, and accountability in every step of Futuriza’s journey.

Meet the Team

At the heart of the Futuriza Scholarship Fund is a shared belief:
When Latinas lead, communities thrive, industries evolve, and the future becomes more equitable for all.

Founded by Briana Felix, MBA, MLS, a nationally recognized nonprofit executive, policy strategist, and advocate for Latina empowerment, Futuriza was created to break systemic barriers in education, leadership, and STEM. Briana’s lived experience as a Latina leader—combined with her career building large-scale, equity-driven initiatives—laid the foundation for this transformative movement.

Futuriza is more than one woman’s vision. It is powered by a mission-driven, cross-sector Board of Directors—a collective of accomplished and culturally grounded professionals who lead with heart, strategy, and purpose.

Together, the Futuriza Board of Directors reflects what leadership should be: diverse, action-oriented, and unapologetically committed to equity. From global engineering and higher education to public policy, scientific innovation, and community engagement, each board member brings unique expertise to help shape a future where Latinas are fully represented, resourced, and empowered to lead.

Briana Felix, MLS, MBA

President

Briana Felix, MBA, MLS, is a visionary executive, strategist, and founder with a distinguished career leading high-impact initiatives at the intersection of nonprofit innovation, public policy, and global development. As the Founder and Principal Consultant of Empowerment Evolution, she equips Latino-led nonprofits, small businesses, and government-funded programs with the tools to scale sustainably, secure funding, and drive systemic change.

With an MBA and a Master of Legal Studies from the University of Arizona, Briana brings unmatched expertise in compliance, government contracting, organizational turnarounds, and equity-centered leadership. Her portfolio spans multi-million-dollar programs funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Refugee Resettlement, and international partners, impacting communities across the U.S., Mexico, and West Africa.

Briana is widely recognized for her ability to build powerful coalitions, mobilize underrepresented communities, and lead transformative strategies that deliver measurable outcomes. She is especially passionate about advancing Latina leadership, closing the Latina wage gap, and expanding educational and economic opportunities for Latino communities. Whether advising nonprofits on strategic growth, shaping international policy initiatives, or designing culturally competent leadership pipelines, her work reflects a deep commitment to economic justice, human dignity, and generational impact.

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Viviana Granados

Vice President

Viviana Granados is a dynamic leader with a strong background in community engagement, multicultural communication, and strategic partnership development. Known for her ability to build bridges across industries and cultures, she has cultivated impactful collaborations that span education, technology, and LATAM markets. Her work is rooted in a deep commitment to equity, cultural inclusion, and empowering historically underrepresented communities.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Viviana has served as a vital connector—closing communication gaps, elevating outreach strategies, and driving engagement in diverse communities. Her expertise includes business development, client relationship management, and bilingual program strategy, all of which she leverages to support mission-driven initiatives with measurable impact.

A passionate advocate for women and Latinas in STEM, Viviana actively supports initiatives that promote diversity in technology and leadership. She has also volunteered her time to organizations serving vulnerable families, providing language access and compassionate support during life-defining moments.

generational change.

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Laureana Benitez, MPA

Secretary

Laureana Benitez is an experienced higher education professional with a strong foundation in public administration, legal processes, and student development. Currently serving as the Internship Coordinator and Course Instructor at the University of Arizona’s School of Government and Public Policy (SGPP), she leads internship programming for over 2,000 undergraduate students across Criminal Justice, Political Science, and Public Affairs majors. From organizing career fairs to launching career readiness courses, she is committed to preparing students for successful, purpose-driven careers.

With a Master of Arts in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Law from the University of Arizona, Laureana contributes expertise and legal acumen to the field of career services. Before joining SGPP, she supported law students at the James E. Rogers College of Law and previously worked as a Legal Secretary in the Major Crimes Unit of the Pima County Attorney’s Office, gaining valuable insight into trial preparation, case management, and interagency collaboration.

Laureana is passionate about supporting students, especially first-generation and Latino students, as they navigate their career paths and build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

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Xochitl Wilson, MBA

Treasurer

Xochitl Wilson is an accomplished optics and physics professional specializing in semiconductor laser product development. With a Bachelor of Science in Optical Engineering and an MBA, she blends technical expertise with strategic insight to drive advancements in laser technology. Her passion for STEM was sparked in sixth grade by a lighting pickle science fair project, an illuminating experience that set the foundation for her career in engineering and scientific innovation.

Beyond her technical contributions, Xochitl is a dedicated advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM. She has served on the board for Women in Defense, championing initiatives that empower women in technical and leadership roles within defense-related industries. At the intersection of science, business, and advocacy, she thrives on translating complex optical principles into practical solutions that advance technology and inspire future generations.

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Erick Dang, MBA

Executive STEM Advisor

Erick is a seasoned engineering leader with over 20 years of experience driving innovation across the chemical, oil & gas, medical device, and defense industries. In his current role as Principal Process Engineer and Tech Lead at Raytheon Technologies, he leads high-impact process optimization initiatives that enhance manufacturing performance, increase efficiency, and support mission-critical operations.

Recognized for his deep technical expertise and strategic leadership, Erick has successfully guided multidisciplinary teams through complex engineering challenges, consistently delivering solutions that meet the highest industry standards.

As a first-generation American and the son of Vietnamese immigrants, Erick was encouraged from a young age to pursue a STEM education—an influence that has shaped both his career trajectory and his analytical, solutions-driven approach to problem-solving.

Erick holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology and an MBA from the University of Arizona. His background reflects a unique blend of technical excellence, cultural resilience, and business insight that continues to make a powerful impact across industries.

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Rachit Mohindra, MBA

Executive Chair of Strategy and Marketing

Rachit Mohindra is an accomplished marketing and product innovation executive with over 17 years of global experience driving growth and impact at the intersection of science, technology, and business. With a background in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management, Rachit brings a rare blend of technical depth and strategic vision.

Rachit played a key role in the development of multiple award-winning imaging technologies at Teledyne Photometrics, including the groundbreaking Prime and Kinetix scientific CMOS cameras. By driving the product vision and strategy, he collaborated closely with a multi-faceted and talented engineering and manufacturing team to bring these innovations to life. Their efforts earned some of the industry’s highest honors, including two R&D 100 Awards, multiple Vision Systems Design Innovators Awards, and recognition in The Scientist’s Top 10 Innovations.

A first-generation college graduate in the United States, Rachit is a passionate advocate for increasing diversity and representation in STEM. He believes in building long-term, human-centered solutions that empower innovation and amplify voices that have historically been underrepresented in science and technology.

With expertise spanning international marketing, customer insight, product strategy, and business development, Rachit is known for turning complex challenges into measurable results, while inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders along the way.

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