Open to opportunities

roland rapalo

@rolandrapalo

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Bilingual Program Manager advancing financial inclusion through nonprofit leadership and small-business development.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a nonprofit or mission-driven team where I can lead financial empowerment programs, strengthen partnerships, and use Salesforce/BI data to improve outcomes—while mentoring staff and helping underserved communities build durable businesses.

I’m a bilingual Program Manager focused on advancing economic opportunity and financial inclusion in underserved communities. I combine nonprofit leadership with financial empowerment, program design, and community outreach to help people build stability and grow sustainable businesses.

In recent roles, I managed the Ventanilla financial counseling program inside the Consulates of Mexico and Ecuador in Manhattan, directing staff, partner relationships, and measurable quality and performance outcomes. I also oversaw a micro-entrepreneurship program for the Dept. of Youth & Community Development in the Bronx.

At Ascend Dallas, I directed financial empowerment services for low-income families, supervising 4–8 coaches across 2 locations. I designed and delivered financial literacy workshops and small business support programs, and I collaborated on grant RFP submissions while building relationships with funders and city officials. I implemented Salesforce CRM and Tableau to streamline data management and program evaluation.

Before and alongside my program leadership work, I co-founded and scaled three small businesses, managing operations, budgeting, expansion, and teams of 6–10+ employees. I also led a community financial counseling program at the Consulate General of Mexico in Dallas, recognized as Best Program of 2017 by Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and I’ve earned multiple certifications in financial empowerment, coaching, and program leadership.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Program Manager

Ariva

Oct 2025 - Apr 2026 (6 months)

Managed the Ventanilla financial counseling program within the Mexico and Ecuador consulates in Manhattan, directing program staff and relationships to improve quality and performance. Oversaw a micro-entrepreneurship program for the Dept. of Youth & Community Development in the Bronx.

Program Management Financial Counseling Staff Supervision Community Outreach Stakeholder Management Data Reporting Program Quality Management

Entrepreneur Mentor

Atlantic Bank – Startup Foundation

Sep 2024 - May 2025 (8 months)

Volunteered as an entrepreneur mentor, delivering business-planning and financial-management workshops plus one-on-one advising to improve early-stage companies’ sustainability. Helped strengthen Honduras’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through group and individual support.

Business Planning Financial Management Growth Strategy Workshop Facilitation Program Delivery Community Outreach Coaching

Financial Empowerment PM

Ascend Dallas

Dec 2022 - Sep 2024 (1 year 9 months)

Directed financial empowerment services for low-income families, supervising 4–8 coaches across 2 locations and designing financial literacy and small-business support programs. Implemented Salesforce CRM and Tableau to streamline data management and program evaluation, and collaborated on grant RFP submissions while building relationships with funders and city officials.

Financial Empowerment Program Management Small Business Salesforce CRM Tableau Program Evaluation Stakeholder Management

Co-Founder & Owner

Quixote Bakery Cafe

Dec 2017 - Sep 2024 (6 years 9 months)

Co-founded and owned Quixote Bakery Cafe, L’epicerie, and Rapalo Coffee and Croissants, managing daily operations, budgeting, expansion, and a team of 6–10+ employees. Developed staff training programs and financial controls to improve profitability and mentored local entrepreneurs pursuing business ownership.

Small Business Operations Budgeting Team Leadership Staff Training Financial Control Business Coaching

Financial Program Manager

Consulate General of Mexico

Jan 2017 - Nov 2017 (10 months)

Managed a community financial counseling program recognized as Mexico’s Best Program of 2017 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Built partnerships with United Way, CCD, and financial institutions to support low-income entrepreneurs and represented Catholic Charities of Dallas and United Way at official events with Mexican government ministers.

Financial Counseling Program Management Partnership Development Community Outreach Program Delivery Event Coordination