Leadership

Lupe Mares President - Leadership

Lupe Mares is the President of Junior Achievement of the Desert Southwest in El Paso, a dedicated community leader with extensive experience in economic development, workforce development, and financial education.

Mares' career spans more than four decades, including 34 years with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, El Paso Branch, where she retired as Communications and Outreach Manager. She later served as Vice President of Community Engagement & Development at LiftFund, Inc., a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to supporting small businesses through access to capital and business resources.

She holds an Executive MBA from The University of Texas at El Paso and has built a distinguished career developing strategic partnerships, leading community outreach initiatives, and advancing programs that empower individuals and strengthen communities. Throughout her career, she has actively served on numerous boards and committees focused on education, workforce development, economic empowerment, and community engagement.

As President of Junior Achievement of the Desert Southwest, Mares leads efforts to inspire and prepare young people for success through financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship education. Under her leadership, the organization continues to expand its impact across the Borderplex region, connecting thousands of students each year with real-world learning experiences that help them build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in work and life.

Dianica Jaquez Education Director - Education

Email
LinkedIn Profile
915-772-5566

Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, I am passionate about empowering youth and helping build a stronger, more equitable future for our community. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Science from the University of Texas at El Paso and am currently pursuing my Master’s in Business at Grand Canyon University.

My career has been dedicated to serving young people through education and community-based programs. Since first joining Junior Achievement of the Desert Southwest in 2017, I’ve been inspired by the organization’s mission to prepare students especially those at risk with the tools they need to succeed in work and life.

Now, as Education Director, I am proud to help lead efforts that connect students with real-world experiences in financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship. I believe in the power of education to break cycles of poverty and create pathways toward long-term economic success for the next generation.