I was born in 1964 in Colombia. I come from a family of eight siblings and a large extended family that maintains close ties. I lived with my family in Pasto until I met my husband, Jack, a student from the University of Minnesota, who had traveled to Colombia for a study abroad internship. We were married in 1987 and moved to Minnesota where I learned English, worked various jobs, and completed my education. I have two degrees from the University of Minnesota: a Bachelors Degree in Urban Studies and a Masters of Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute.

Prior to my election to the Senate, I worked as a State Program Administrator for the Minnesota Department of Human Services.  I have twenty years of experience in public service and community organizing and I have vast expertise in building partnerships between agencies, non-profit organizations, tribal reservations and other organizations that serve children and families.  In addition to my strong commitment to public service, I have served as a board member of the University of Minnesota Children, Youth and Family Consortium, the Minnesota Early Care and Education Finance Commission, the Minnesota Children's Trust Fund, Cultural Beginnings, the Greater Minneapolis Day Care Association, West Side Health Center, Kids Count, Children’s Defense Fund, National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention, The Build Initiative, and The Northway Community Trust.

Jack and I have two wonderful boys, Tomás and Carlos, ages 18 and 16. During the last ten years, I have been involved in my children’s education and volunteered at their schools in many different areas. I have tutored kindergartners, developed a bilingual book club of fifth graders and was active in the PTA at Emerson Spanish Immersion School.

We own a home in the Longfellow neighborhood and have a great group of neighbors that welcome us back to the block each night. I enjoy gardening and remodeling our 1913 home. My family and I love camping, boating, fishing, and hiking. We enjoy walking around the lakes, but our favorite place is the Mississippi River.