One Circle Foundation Board Highlight: Nancy Roldán Johnson

What inspired me to join One Circle Foundation’s Board of Directors were co-Founder Giovanna Taormina’s words to me back in 2017: “Mariposa will be in the most caring hands.” Those sincerest words stayed with me and inspired me to join the Board of Directors two years later.    

As the co-author of La Mariposa: A Personal Empowerment Program for Adolescent Latinas, a Girls Circle offering, and co-founder of the nonprofit Together for Latinas, I have a long-standing passion for empowering youth, particularly those from underserved communities. Before gifting La Mariposa to One Circle Foundation, I recognized the synergy between our missions and felt a strong connection to OCF's dedication to preparing caring adults to lead transformative experiences for youth.   

Joining the board was a natural step for me. It allows me to contribute my experience, support OCF’s vision, and help expand the impact of programs that cultivate empowerment and resilience. It is an honor to serve an organization that aligns so closely with my values and my lifelong commitment to youth development.   

My background includes both corporate operations and nonprofit leadership, which have shaped my approach to my role on the OCF Board. As a manager in operations for several international consumer products companies, I worked with cross-cultural and functional teams to align planning, budgeting, and resource management with strategic goals. These experiences taught me the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and creating systems that work across diverse perspectives.   

As the co-founder of a nonprofit for underserved youth, I turned my passion for empowerment into meaningful action. Over eight years, I built a strong organization, developed programming to support youth in making better life decisions, and worked to transition its signature program, La Mariposa, for broader distribution. This work required careful planning, creativity, and a commitment to sustaining impact.   

Throughout my journey, I’ve learned the value of building and engaging a strong board, recognizing how essential alignment and trust are in achieving an organization’s mission. These experiences enable me to contribute to OCF with both practical skills and a deep understanding of what it takes to lead with purpose. Serving an organization whose mission resonates so deeply with my own is both meaningful and fulfilling.    

My career in leadership coaching is a natural extension of my experiences, including my time as OCF's interim Executive Director. During this period, I mentored rising leaders, helping them navigate challenges, build confidence in their abilities, and develop the skills needed to lead effectively. These experiences deepened my passion for helping others discover their potential. Now, as a coach, I partner with my clients to explore their whole selves, recognizing them as naturally creative, resourceful, and whole. Together, we uncover what resonates most deeply with their values, empowering them to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.