As an immigrant originally from Venezuela, Onelia understands the challenges that are inherent in finding footing in a new and different culture and what it takes to succeed at every turn. Onelia is Executive Director of Avanzando Juntos, through which she has the opportunity to design impactful programs that provide small businesses with the capital, education, and resources they need to thrive. Onelia discovered her passion for the nonprofit sector after moving to Tulsa in 2012. Her first experience in this field was at Family & Children’s Services, where she worked with immigrant families as a Bilingual Family Support. She later served as Case Manager for Communities In Schools of Mid-America at Kendall Whittier and Sequoyah Elementary Schools. During the pandemic, she had the opportunity to help open Tulsa Educare’s fourth location, where she served as the Director of Family Services.

Onelia was honored as one of the recipients of the Tulsa Area Top 40 Hispanic Leader Award in April of 2024 and Orgullo Hispano Award in February of 2025.