Athena Jimenez-Manalo

Affiliation

Latinos In Action

Biography

Dr. Athena Jimenez-Manalo is driven by the belief that all students will succeed when provided with the proper tools and opportunities. She is a passionate advocate for linguistic, cultural, and educational justice with a mission to improve education and career outcomes for marginalized communities. Dr. Jimenez-Manalo believes that multilingualism and cultural diversity are assets to build upon and aspires to increase access to high-quality multilingual programs rooted in culturally responsive teaching practices. She is the proud child of immigrant parents and first in her family to finish college. Her experiences in a multicultural home and as a first-generation college student have shaped her life in such ways that she is always looking for ways to uplift communities furthest from educational justice. Athena’s teaching career spans Chicago, Minneapolis, and Seattle. In 2021, Dr. Jimenez-Manalo transitioned to government administration where she built the early learning dual language system for Washington State. In 2024, she transitioned to Latinos In Action, a national nonprofit organization, where she leads the company's expansion into elementary programming.