Emma Ortiz

A resident of Chicago since the age of 7, Emma understood the concept of giving back to your community from a very young age. Her volunteerism started in high school where she was a member of several student clubs and President of the Aspira Club. While in high school she was also the President of the Daughters of Mary girls group, a catechist and choir member in her church. In her professional career, first as a Banker and then as a Higher Education Administrator, she has served on a variety of boards such as the Hispanic Bankers Association, the Little Village Chamber of Commerce and Resurrection University.

Emma has been a supporter of PRAA almost since its inception when she first viewed it as a way for her young daughter to learn about the Puerto Rican culture and music. She then became a strong supporter of the organization itself. In more recent years she approached Carlos Hernandez about an idea she had to incorporate a Coquito Festival into the PRAA programming. In 2018 Carlos asked her to chair the committee that would plan and execute the first annual Coquito Festival at PRAA.  It was a success!

Emma holds a Master’s degree in Organization Management from Dominican University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Northeastern Illinois University.

Emma splits her time between Florida (where her mother resides) and Chicago. She has one daughter, Emily and two granddaughters, Elly and Emmy.