Yvonne is a Seguin native and the Executive Director of Teatro. She holds a Bachelors of Exercise Sports Science from Southwest Texas State University and holds a Masters of Education with an emphasis in sports and leisure management from Texas State University. She is a graduate of Texas State University where she earned her Doctorate of Philosophy with a major in Adult, Professional, and Community Education. Her research study explored the struggle and resiliency of a Mexican American community in Seguin as they attempted to maintain, teach, and celebrate their Mexican American roots, customs, knowledge, and celebrations through community education. She aimed to provide insight into public pedagogy as it relates to teaching, learning, and leading as a means to record the growth and change within the community. She studied how Teatro was a vehicle for cultural sustainability and helps youth and families engage in a process of identity formation through public pedagogy, as well as community building and development. Though cultural remembrance and sustainability are necessary for future generations to remember and celebrate their ancestors, they are not sufficient when looking at the formations and sustainability of communities that have been historically, culturally, and spiritually colonized. Yvonne is a founding member of the Ballet Folklórico De La Rosa and Mariachi Juvenil. She also served as the artistic director for the Ballet Folklórico De La Rosa and Artist in Education in numerous school districts. Yvonne is a 22 year seasoned educator in secondary and higher education. She has dedicated more than half her life to the mission and goals of Teatro. Yvonne served as Teatro's Program Coordinator for 20 years until she was elevated to the Executive Director position for the organization. Dr. De La Rosa invites you to read her dissertation, Ahora Puedo Respirar (Now I Can Breathe) and invites the reader to breathe together.