YAMELISA

Entrepreneur, Mom, and Humanitarian

Yamelisa was born in the Dominican Republic, daughter to Isa Pereyra and Frank Jimenez. As a child she moved to the United States to live with her brothers, and reunite as a family. She began as an ESL student in the 5th grade, and through hard work became an honor roll student, graduating in the top 5% of her class. She now holds a Masters's Degree from Villanova University in Hispanic and Post-Colonial Studies, a lifetime member of PsyChi Honor Society, and is a PA Board Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

With 15 years of experience in the field of substance use treatment, she has helped innumerable individuals through her work and passion to serve others. From prevention and early intervention for students k-12, to treatment in addiction medicine and inclusive behavioral health. She is a beacon in her community. She was recognized as a 2020 Bright Light honoree as part of PPL’s Bright Lights grant program, and this awarded the nonprofit organization she founded in 2019, Unidos, a grant to continue her mission, where Yamelisa gives a voice to those silenced by oppression every day. Being diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age 10, she is an advocate for insulin insecure residents of her community, she was the State of the Union Address guest in 2020 of Congresswoman Susan Wild.

Yamelisa is a servant leader for her community and a dedicated mother for her 8 and 6 year olds, and her bonus children, whom she has the privilege to parent with her husband. In 2021 she was invited to participate as a consultant for Project Equity to redesign the NPO sector and is now one of the core team members, was chosen by her team at LVHN to present at the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Annual Conference, appointed as a board member of the Burn Prevention Network, and selected as a JOSEtalks speaker during the 4th Annual PA Latino Convention.