Luisa Soaterna-Castañeda
As the Director of Program Management and Technology at the National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching and Learning (NCECDTL), Luisa spearheads the implementation of project management strategies and cutting-edge technology initiatives for the Office of Head Start (OHS). Under her guidance, the Individualized Professional Development Portfolio—OHS’s Learning Management System—has attracted over 125,000 subscribers and now offers more than 110 courses. Her team has also successfully launched several mobile apps, including ELOF, ELOF2GO, ELOF@HOME, Head Start Talks, and ReadyDLL, all designed to support educators in early childhood settings.
With over a decade of experience in national campaigns and public health, Luisa previously served as the Senior Outreach & Multicultural Specialist for Text4baby, the largest mobile maternal health program in the U.S. Her efforts were pivotal in expanding the program’s reach from 200,000 to 1,000,000 users nationwide.
Luisa has been a passionate advocate for health equity, serving as Chair and Chair-Emeritus of the Virginia Department of Health’s Commissioner’s Advisory Council on Health Disparity and Health Equity (ACHDHE). She has also taught English to adult learners and is a certified translator and community advocate. In 2006, she began volunteering with Colaborando Juntos, a nonprofit focused on supporting the Latino community in the Richmond Metropolitan Area. In 2009, she co-founded LULAC Council 4614 and served as its treasurer from 2022 to 2023. Currently, she is a board member for Voices for Children.
Originally from Colombia, Luisa immigrated to the United States as a child. She lives on the East Coast with her husband, who is also Colombian, and their young child. The family enjoys sharing their Colombian heritage and teaching Spanish to their little one.