
Manuela is the Director of Talent at Transcend, working to implement recruitment efforts, strengthen teammate onboarding, and help support, grow and develop a diverse, inclusive world-class team.
She began her career in education as a second and third-grade math and science teacher in Dallas, Texas. Manuela then transitioned to Teach For America’s recruitment team recruiting from various universities and AmeriCorps programs. Before joining Transcend, Manuela was a Senior Talent Manager with E.L. Haynes Public Charter School, a high-performing public charter school in Washington, D.C.
Manuela holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Delaware, an M.Ed in Bilingual Education from Southern Methodist University, and an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. Manuela is a proud Colombian-American and currently lives in Washington, D.C., with her partner and dog, Blizzard. In her spare time, Manuela enjoys true-crime podcasts, reading, exploring new running routes, and drinking all the coffee.
Continue Your Journey

Leaps for Equitable, 21st-Century Learning
Transcend’s Leaps for Equitable, 21st-Century Learning describes the key ways we believe the student experience must change so that schools can prepare all young people to thrive in and transform the world.

Transform Learning with Community-Based Design
Community-based design is a collaborative and local process that brings together young people, educators, administrators, caregivers, and experts to redesign learning. It goes beyond traditional school improvement initiatives by involving the entire community in reshaping the purpose and design of education.