Fuerza Unida proudly announces Gabriela Ibarra Noriega as its new Interim Executive Director. With more than a decade of service in San Antonio’s nonprofit sector, Gabriela brings a wealth of experience in community advocacy, workforce development, and family support, along with a deep passion for empowering the Southside community.
Throughout her career, Gabriela has worked with a clear purpose: to uplift others, remove barriers, and ensure families have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Her journey has taken her through roles as a Workforce Development Manager and a Family Advocate; her friends and colleagues often call her a “resource guru” for her ability to connect people with the right support.
Gabriela’s relationship with Fuerza Unida began while she was a college student. It was then that she met founder Petra Mata, who welcomed her into the Fuerza Unida family with encouragement and support. That early connection left a lasting impression, inspiring Gabriela to remain rooted in service and continue advocating for women, families, and the Southside community.
Now, as Interim Executive Director, Gabriela is honored to lead an organization that has served San Antonio for more than 35 years. She will continue advancing the work of Fuerza Unida through its core focus areas, including food security by sustaining monthly food distributions for local families; Threads of Justice, which provides dignified employment opportunities through fashion that tells stories of resilience; environmental justice programs that teach the community how to cultivate sustainable gardens and combat the effects of urban heat; and Latina women’s health and well-being initiatives that build safe spaces where women can learn, heal, and thrive.
Fuerza Unida’s mission has always been to empower workers, particularly women of color, and their families to achieve social, economic, and environmental justice through education, organizing, and advocacy. Since its founding, the organization has addressed the challenges faced by garment workers impacted by plant closures, layoffs, and unfair wages, while also advancing the rights of women, immigrants, low-income workers, and communities of color.
Under Gabriela’s leadership, the organization remains committed to its legacy of advocacy and empowerment. To be entrusted with carrying this mission forward is not only a professional milestone for her but also a personal calling to continue standing alongside San Antonio’s Southside community in the fight for justice and equity.
About Fuerza Unida
For more than three decades, Fuerza Unida has served as a hub of empowerment, creativity, and resilience on San Antonio’s Southside. The organization provides education, training, and accessible resources that allow workers and families to protect their rights and strengthen their communities.
Please join us in celebrating this new chapter as Gabriela Ibarra Noriega steps into the role of Interim Executive Director and leads Fuerza Unida into the future with vision, dedication, and heart.
