Patricia Grijalva
Board Secretary
Patricia was born in Chicago, Illinois, where her father, originally from Mexico, and her mother, born in Colombia, met after immigrating to the United States in the 1970s. As the daughter of two immigrants, Spanish became Patricia’s first language.
Thanks to the encouragement of her parents, the educational system, and her own determination, she eventually became fluent in both English and Spanish. This was one of many challenges she viewed as necessary to break through barriers that would ultimately lead her to become an interpreter and advocate for her family. Over time, her drive for self-improvement was fueled by the inspiration of teachers and mentors who helped guide her path to college.
In 1989, Patricia, her younger sister, and her parents moved to California due to financial hardships. In 2002, Patricia graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Child and Adolescent Studies and minoring in Human Services. Early in her career, Patricia gained professional experience in retail management, the food industry, healthcare, and social work.
In 2011, Patricia moved to Washington, where she now lives with her husband and son. During her time in Washington, she has gained additional professional experience in property management, case management, and most recently in education, where she serves as a Student Support Advocate for the Mukilteo School District. In 2015, she was appointed to a four-year term on the City of Everett Diversity Advisory Board. There, she learned to promote diversity within the community with the goal of creating greater opportunities and a more welcoming environment for marginalized individuals.
Patricia believes that having strong faith and personal determination are the two main elements needed to overcome any obstacle in life. Through Keep Dreams Alive, she hopes to plant these seeds so future generations can continue to thrive.
