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 and ﬁnancial education.

Mares' career spans over three decades, including 34 years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, El Paso Branch, where she retired as Communications and Outreach Manager. She then spent four years as Vice President of Community Engagement & Development at LiftFund, Inc., a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).

Mares holds an Executive MBA from the University of Texas at El Paso and has a strong track record of fostering partnerships, developing outreach strategies, and implementing impactful ﬁnancial literacy programs. She is actively involved in numerous community organizations, serving on boards and committees that focus on education, workforce development, and economic empowerment.

In her current role as President of Junior Achievement of the Desert Southwest, Mares brings a wealth of expertise to supporting the organization's mission of inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy.

Dianica Jaquez Education Director - Staff

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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.