Today we’d like to introduce you to Yoreim Virella-rivas
Hi Yoreim , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from Corozal, Puerto Rico, and moved to the mainland in 2009 seeking better job opportunities after graduating and getting married as part of the brain drain wave that still affects Puerto Rico to this day. My firsthand experience growing up on the island and navigating the migrant experience in the U.S. gives me a deep understanding of the challenges many Latinas face when having to leave their homeland while looking to adapt to a new language, and culture striving for a better life. This perspective is what fuels my passion for service, cultural wellness, and uplifting our Latinx communities.
With a BA degree in Social Sciences, an MS in Human Resources Management, and over a decade of experience in human resources, I’ve had the privilege of combining my HR expertise with disaster response. I deployed to Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria, Florida during Hurricane Irma, and supported the COVID-19 response at the beginning of the pandemic alongside CDC and OMB/White House leadership. Additionally, I worked under the Unaccompanied Children’s Program and Operations Allies Welcome, supporting humanitarian efforts at the border. These experiences reinforced my belief in sustainability and cultural wellness as a crucial value in rebuilding communities and creating a stronger, more resilient future.
In 2022, I launched Proyecto Tributo A Mi Tierra (TAMT), a small business dedicated to celebrating Puerto Rican culture through handmade products like wall art and biodegradable 3D printed earrings. We donate 10% of our profits to organizations in Puerto Rico, helping me give back to the island that shaped me. My experiences in disaster recovery, cultural wellness and sustainability inspired me to create content that reaches a wider audience, encouraging mindful living and conscious choices.
As a bilingual content creator, I also focus on civic engagement, helping Latinas understand the importance of participating in local politics and community action.
With the upcoming launch of my podcast, The Mindful Latina, I aim to build a platform about the intersectionality of cultural wellness, sustainability, and civic engagement—fostering a community of Latinas who lead with purpose and live more mindfully.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many who leave their home in search of better opportunities, moving to the mainland came with it’s own set of challenges. Adjusting to a new culture while staying connected to my roots was extremely difficult. Dealing with the constant microaggressions, the pressure to assimilate and the emotional toll of leaving my family and community behind, combined with the pressure to succeed, made the transition even more complex.
Professionally, Latinas are the most underrepresented group of women in corporate America and only 1% of Latinas become executives. That gives you a broader picture of what we are facing in the workforce. There is implicit bias that permeates that inhibits our professional growth in the workplace. We are pressured to erase who we are to fit in so as you can imagine, seeing it happened behind the scenes to employees as an HR professional, and having firsthand experience with it hit me hard when I moved here. No matter how hard I worked or how much I proved myself, I often felt unworthy and inadequate because I didn’t speak perfect English or express myself in a way that was considered acceptable. Despite my credentials and demonstrated competence, those feelings lingered. Systematic bias will continue to weigh heavily on us and it will continue to hinder our growth unless we come together to protect DEI programs and affirmative action to keep demanding fairer opportunities in the workplace while also creating our own paths to success.
Working in disaster response has been both rewarding and emotionally challenging. Deploying to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and witnessing the devastation firsthand was incredibly personal for me. It wasn’t just about the job; it was about helping my homeland during one of it’s darkest moments.
I also lost my grandfather while deployed to the island so it added another layer of stress. While coordinating the funeral arrangements, I got to see and listen to people that lost their loved ones during the devastation and couldn’t bury them properly because there was no electricity or running water and the majority of the funeral homes were closed. Balancing those intense emotions with the demands of my HR career was rough, but it reinforced my belief in the importance of resilience and community. I always tell people it was an honor to serve but it was eye-opening to be in the thick of it. I saw how my people continue to be treated as second-class citizens, it was heartbreaking.
Launching Proyecto Tributo A Mi Tierra (TAMT) in 2022 was another challenge. Starting any type of business is never easy, especially when your goal is to celebrate culture while giving back to the island. Juggling my full-time job, content creation, and entrepreneurship has required a lot of time management and sacrifice. Additionally, entering the sustainability and wellness space as a Latina creator comes with its own hurdles, such as breaking into spaces where representation is often lacking.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a DC Lifestyle & Cultural Wellness content creator focused on empowering Latinas through cultural wellness, sustainability, and civic engagement. My content spans a variety of topics—from celebrating Puerto Rican culture and embracing our roots, to living sustainably and engaging in local politics. I want to show Latinas that we can lead conscious, intentional lives while staying connected to our heritage.Whether I’m creating cultural wellness tips, showcasing sustainable fashion and clean beauty, showcasing some cool DC spots or encouraging participation in local politics, my goal is to inspire women to live more mindfully and become active participants in shaping their future. I also share my journey as a Puerto Rican migrant, which resonates with many Latinas who have experienced similar transitions.
What sets me apart is the intersection of culture, wellness, and civic engagement. I don’t just focus on cultural wellness or sustainability just from an environmental perspective, but also from a community-driven lens. My content encourages Latinas to not only live sustainably but to be aware of how their cultural heritage and voices can drive positive change. I also want Latinas to understand how powerful their voices are and that when we start understanding that ancestral power que corre por nuestras venas, we can start moving mountains for a more equitable future. Latinas are a force to be reckoned with!
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Great question, I’ll have to say I was always a bit unconventional, very action-oriented, extremely curious on how the world worked with a rebellious spirit who enjoyed having lots of fun. Growing up, I was a very creative kid. I used to draw, dance, write and I had an obsession with filming things. I loved acting in homemade movies and writing scripts. At 12, I remember having an obsession with the movie-Friday the 13th so I ended up writing a mini script in a computer I barely knew how to use and called it Jason 14-La película. Don’t ask me why I came up with that title! I remember asking my mom for some money and I ended up buying props, gathering some friends from my neighborhood, directing and filming with my dad’s camera the lamest homemade movie ever made! My family always jokes about it. It’s interesting to see how that pre-teen hobby that I enjoyed so much came back into my life in my late 30’s and I ended up in the world of content creation.
I was also very involved in community activities like being part of the student council and part of community groups ( politics, theater, dance etc.) because of my family. My mom was a school and public librarian and my grandparents from my mother’s side were also public educators. They were also very involved in the community showing me the importance of community service. My grandparents did a lot of humanitarian work as well and were very involved in politics so you can say I’m wired this way because I had very strong and highly educated women role models around me. Both, my mom
and grandmother showed me the importance of having clear values and to be an active participant in my own life.
Pricing:
- Brand Parterships/Collabs (please inquire for rates)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yorlatinawellness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yorlatinawellness?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@yorlatinawellness?lang=en
