Miranda Pacheco

Miranda is a driven individual who has overcome numerous obstacles to achieve success. Starting off as a felon, high school dropout, pregnant teenager, and homeless, she managed to turn her life around when she arrived in Duluth. This city provided her with the opportunity to attend a drug treatment center, and she briefly resided at AICHO's domestic violence shelter. Inspired by her experiences, Miranda began working at these organizations, using her personal journey to help others in similar situations.

In addition to finding stability, Duluth allowed Miranda to explore her roots and embrace her Ojibwe heritage. She became involved in Ojibwe ceremonies, finding strength and solace in her cultural practices. As she pursued her educational goals, Miranda earned an associate degree from Fond du Lac Tribal College and is now working towards a Social Work degree from St. Scholastica.

As a proud homeowner, Miranda lives with her two daughters, symbolizing the tremendous progress she has made. Her journey has not only shaped her future but also instilled a passion for advocating for others. Witnessing the shortcomings of the system, Miranda strongly believes that we must strive for improvement and better support those in need.

Miranda's dedication to social welfare led her to various organizations where she made a significant impact. She has contributed her skills and knowledge to LifeHouse, Zeitgeist's Healthy Hillside Initiative, and currently works at Mash-ka-wisen Treatment Center. Furthermore, Miranda serves as a consultant for Wealth Entrepreneurship Economic Sustainability. Collaborating with groups like SOAR and the Workforce Development Center, she actively promotes inclusive recruitment practices.

Whether she is fighting for the rights of others or giving back to the community that transformed her life, Miranda exemplifies resilience and determination. Her personal experiences have made her a fierce advocate for change and a source of inspiration for others facing adversity.