Every Girl Deserves to Shine

Ella Rises is dedicated to empowering young women through transformative programs that build confidence, develop leadership skills, and create lasting connections.

OUR MISSION

Empowering young women to pursue higher education through high-impact multicultural activities focused on mariachi and STEAM.

Our Story

Ella Rises was founded with a simple but powerful vision: to create a world where every young woman has the confidence, skills, and support to achieve her dreams.

Through workshops, mentorship programs, and community events, we create safe spaces where teen girls can explore their potential and develop the skills they need to thrive in STEAM fields and beyond.

Young women participating in a STEM workshop

Young women performing traditional mariachi music

Embracing Heritage

We believe in celebrating cultural heritage as a source of strength and identity. Our programs include traditional arts, music, and cultural education.

Through mariachi, folklorico, and traditional arts workshops, young women connect with their roots while building confidence and performance skills.

Traditional Mexican folk dance performance

Traditional Mexican folk dance in motion

MEET THE TEAM

Nadia Cates

Founder and Executive Director

Nadia is from the borderlands of Mexico and Southern California. She is the oldest of 3 daughters and inspired by her parents love and devotion for each other, their family, and God. She is a mother of 6 and married to an incredible man. She studied Human Development at Brigham Young University and graduated in 2007. In 2013, she and her young family moved to Mexico City, where she studied for a year in a Mexican Culinary Institute under the great Maestros Yuri de Gortari and Edmundo Escamilla.

It was while living in Mexico City that the idea of Ella Rises was conceived. Nadia connected deeply with her heritage and saw it in a different light from when she was growing up in the U.S. She believes that as we embrace our spiritual and cultural heritage we can attain more clarity and confidence towards an empowering cycle of progress.

Nadia is grateful to lead Ella Rises as the Creative and Executive Director.

Claudia Barillas

Program Director

Claudia was raised in Los Angeles, California, after her family emigrated from Michoacán, Mexico. She is a dedicated community leader and advocate, holding a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Cal State L.A. and a Master's in Public Administration from Brigham Young University.

Over the past 20 years, Claudia has worked tirelessly to promote social justice and address social issues, focusing on substance recovery, mental health, community advocacy, and education. She currently serves as the Human Services Director in Utah County, where she continues her mission to strengthen families, improve community and create meaningful social impact.

Outside of her professional work, Claudia devotes her time to her husband, two children, exploring the outdoors, and serving the community. She is passionate about her cultural roots, building genuine connections and empowering youth through her involvement with Ella Rises, where she helps young people embrace their identity and pursue their dreams.