CTN Peer Mentor, Erica Saenz, received the Con Mi MADRE Award at the 13th Annual Corazón Awards ceremony.  The Con Mi MADRE Award is presented to an educated, successful Latina living out the non-profit’s mission and serving as a role model for young Latinas and their mothers.

Erica joined Waterloo Greenway Conservancy (WGC) in January 2020 and serves as Chief Operating Officer overseeing organizational and park operations, communications, community engagement, human resources and programming. Waterloo Greenway is a 1.5-mile urban park system supported by a public-private partnership between the City of Austin and WGC. Once complete, the 35 acres of connected green space will be home to an array of natural and cultural destinations. The park system is being planned, designed, and built in three phases of geographic milestones. Phase 1 opened in August of 2021 and includes Waterloo Park and the Moody Amphitheater. Phase 2 planning and design processes are complete and construction begins in the fall of 2022. Amid gardens, rolling pathways and a twinkling Waller Creek that links the park system, the environment, arts, health, and adventure will converge and nourish authentic and uplifting community experiences.

Erica previously served as Associate Vice President for Community and External Relations and Associate Vice President for Assessment and Strategic Planning at UT Austin. Erica was born in the Rio Grande Valley and moved to Austin in 1993 to attend UT Austin. She holds a BA from UT Austin and an MFA from UCLA.