Julissa Rivera is the Senior Community Engagement Manager at The Miami Foundation leading the engagement efforts for the foundation and builds relationships to empower community relations, advocacy efforts in the sector and inspire mass generosity. Her passion for community advocacy and public service stems from her experience volunteering and working with dozens of organizations and nationally recognized programs such as the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitors Program.

She has spearheaded recovery efforts after natural disasters in Puerto Rico, Panama City and the Keys with ACT-2, community engagement efforts such as Beyond 10 Days of Connection, advocated for the Vanessa Guillen Act which now protects those in the military from being targeted for speaking out about any type of abuse, led Imani Creative for over 4 years where she provided technical classes such as resume writing, interview skills, and basic computer skills in under-resourced communities, among others, all to ensure communities can build a path to self-sufficiency and break the cycle of poverty. With a bachelor’s degree in political science, from Florida International University and master’s degree in State and Local Government, Julissa has dedicated her adult life to serving Miami. Currently, Julissa sits on the Board of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Vice-Chair of Programming for Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, ACT-2, Cristina’s Academy and Foot Forward Foundation Board. Moreover, Julissa serves as Chair of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Leader Miami Program.

Julissa is a recipient of the Human Rights Advocate Award, Community Leader of the Year in 2020 and 2021, received the 2024 Transforming Hope Award, 2025 Connector Award and the inaugural 2026 Game Changer Award by Philanthropy Miami.