professional experience

Mosaic Fellowship | Nashville, Tennessee

Founder, 2017 to present

Founder of the Mosaic Fellowship, a leadership development program that brings together African American, Latinx and other leaders of color in Tennessee.
Cohort-based program seeks to establish cross-racial and cross-ethnic networks of mutual support that strengthen individual leaders of color as well as the social fabric and cohesion of our communities.
Inspired by and modeled after Renata's own transformative experience at The Aspen Institute’s Pahara Aspen Education Leadership Fellowship in 2015.
Conceived in 2017 while at, and with the support of, Conexión Américas, the nonprofit organization Renata co-founded in 2002 and led until May 2019.
Currently in the process of spinning off from Conexión Américas as an independent organization.

Conexión Américas | Nashville, TN

Nashville-based nonprofit organization whose mission is "to build a welcoming community and create opportunities where Latino families can belong, contribute and succeed."

Co-founder and Executive Director, 2002-2019

Co-founder of Conexión Américas with José González and María Clara Mejía. Under her leadership, Conexión Américas:
Grew from an organization of three co-founders to a staff of almost 50;
Evolved from a start-up with $150,000 seed funding to a thriving institution with a $5 million annual operating budget and $10 million in assets.
Expanded its reach from 1,750 Latino individuals and their families in Middle Tennessee in its first year to more than 9,000 immigrants across the state achieving their own version of the American dream and becoming integral part of Tennessee’s social, cultural and economic vitality.
Deepened its Nashville roots while growing a statewide reach and becoming a nationally recognized organization;
Became the first Tennessee-based affiliate of UnidosUS, the largest Latino advocacy and civil rights organization in the country.

Visionary behind Casa Azafrán who led the effort to transform a strip mall into a vibrant community center. The nationally recognized nonprofit collaborative and community gathering place has become the de-facto gateway to Nashville’s International District. The 29,000 square-foot facility opened in December 2012 after a tenacious five-year effort and an unprecedented $6 million public-private investment in Nashville’s most ethnically diverse neighborhood. Casa Azafrán houses Conexión Américas and nine nonprofit and government partners under one roof and it has become an iconic landmark in Nashville’s urban landscape and a source of local pride and national attention. Even President Obama took notice and hosted a nationally televised town-hall meeting on immigration policy at Casa Azafrán in December 2014, during which Renata had the honor of introducing him.

Visionary behind Azafrán Park: Led the design team, fundraising and public-private partnership that turned a used car lot into a $2.6 million public park next to Casa Azafrán to advance vision of equitable communities where all residents have access to beautiful shared civic spaces where to play, gather and participate. The parked opened in August 2018.

Recognized as a leading force on efforts that have helped solidify Nashville’s reputation as a city striving to be welcoming and inclusive. For example, she was a founding member of the Nashville for All of Us Coalition, which led the campaign that successfully defeated a 2009 English Only referendum that would have made English the official and only language of local government.

United Way of Metropolitan Nashville | Nashville, TN

Nonprofit organization dedicated to "fighting for a community where every person-no matter their background, their abilities, or their zip code-has an equal chance at a bright future."

Director of Community Building, 2000-2002

Led initiative to support and grow the number of one-stop centers with co-located nonprofit and government services in under-resourced neighborhoods in Davidson County. This Family Resource Center model would later partly inform her vision for the Casa Azafrán collaborative.

Manager, Supporting Work & Independence Council, 1999-2000

Managed a $1.5 million grant-making portfolio that supported adult education and economic mobility programs.

Manager, Marketing & Communications, 1997-1999

Managed marketing and communications function to support organizational fundraising efforts, such us production of annual video, annual report, newsletters and other storytelling platforms.

Latin American Association | Atlanta, GA

Atlanta's leading nonprofit organization representing Georgia's Latino issues whose mission is "to empower Latinos to adapt, integrate and thrive."

Coordinator, Communications, 1995-1996

Worked closely with Executive Director to support external communications goals; created organization’s first Customer Relationship Management system, monthly newsletter and other tools to share the stories of families served.
Led special projects, such as community outreach events, voter registration drives and participation of local Latino youth in the 1996 Olympics.

RENATA SOTO

Costa Rican-born social entrepreneur based in Nashville

professional experience

Mosaic Fellowship | Nashville, Tennessee

Conexión Américas | Nashville, TN

United Way of Metropolitan Nashville | Nashville, TN

Latin American Association | Atlanta, GA

Education

Universidad de Costa Rica | San José, Costa Rica