Marisol Chiclana-Ayala

A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Marisol Chiclana-Ayala is a planner in the Community Engagement Unit of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Centers for Health Equity and Community Health and is also part of the MDH Racial Equity Team. She holds a bachelor’s in media writing and communications, completed a Mini MBA from the University of St. Thomas, and holds a master’s in public policy in leadership, management, and global affairs from the Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota. Marisol is also a 2006 Bush Leadership Fellow.

As a U.S.-born citizen from Puerto Rico, she understands what it means to be a citizen as well as the opportunities and challenges new immigrants face when they come to live and work in Minnesota. One of her goals is to help build the capacity of individuals and communities (especially new immigrant communities) in order to be part of decision-making processes that affect their lives. Marisol has more than 20 years of experience working as an interpreter, translator, cultural liaison, diversity specialist, and as a consultant on issues related to equal employment opportunity laws, racial equity, inclusion, diversity, and cultural competency in the workplace.