Juliana Taboada is a resident of Thousand Palms and a graduate of Desert Mirage High School. She is currently a student at the University of California, Riverside with a major in Chicano Studies. Juliana is passionate about equity and seeing justice delivered to the Coachella Valley community where she feels at home and at peace. She believes her community is worthy of immense opportunities and should never be an afterthought. In her role, she enjoys working with the community the most because they are the core of the organization’s work. Being with community members is what makes Juliana feel whole and reminds her of the importance of the work they do.

Prior to joining Alianza, Juliana was a member of the YO-C program. She was also a youth reporter with Coachella Unincorporated and a KUCR DJ. Juliana values simplicity in her life and hopes to one day own a farm, bake cookies, and make art. Some of her favorite things right now are Frog and Toad books, Squishmellows, Valentine’s Day decor, and being around her family and dogs. She particularly has a taste for pozole and fried chicken.