Policy Analyst
Immigrant Families
Hometown
Sandy, Utah
What was the most valuable lesson you learned as a child, and how has it influenced your life today?
A value that was deeply engrained in my family was to be open-minded and to love and respect others, regardless of how similar or different they were to me. From this, I learned to be curious about others' religions, cultures, and way of life. Having this mindset has allowed me to ask questions that make people feel heard and to develop deep and meaningful relationships with individuals who have had very different lived experiences than my own.
What was your favorite hobby or extracurricular activity as a child, and did you pursue it further later in life?
When I was a kid and young teenager, dance was my world. I was on competitive teams and my whole life revolved around rehearsals, performances, and competitions. I was on the drill team in high school and then when I got to college, I took dance classes almost every semester and minored in Modern Dance. I had always dreamed of dancing in Broadway shows or being on the Rockettes, or maybe even getting to dance in music videos, but I never pursued those dreams because the dance world is extremely competitive, doesn't often pay well, and I didn't think I would have a shot. I was afraid of having to live the life of a starving artist to pursue those dreams. Since college, I have been a part of some local adult teams in various genres of dance, took a break for a few years, and am now trying to get back into it by taking dance classes when I can.
What was your favorite toy or game to play with as a child?
I loved playing with my American Girl Dolls. I feel very fortunate that between my sister and I, we had multiple dolls and I was able to share the love of playing with them with my friends. I also loved pretending that I was a teacher and I would read books out loud to stuffed animals and dolls.
What was your favorite thing about being a child, and do you try to hold onto that spirit as an adult?
I had a wild imagination and creativity when I was a kid and it showed in everything I did -- in my art, playing dress ups, designing dance costumes, playing games, and imagining what I wanted to be when I grew up. Unfortunately, I had to grow up pretty quickly as a kid and I lost a lot of the magic that came with my dreams and imagination. I am working on tapping into that spirit again and connecting to the things I loved as a kid.
What was your favorite meal or dish that your family would make, and do you still enjoy it today?
It's hard for me to pick just one, but some of my favorites included some typical Utah dishes such as potato casserole and chicken broccoli bake, but also Cuban dishes (my grandparents are Cuban!) such as ropa vieja and medianoche sandwiches. I definitely still love all of those foods today.
What was the most challenging experience you faced as a child, and how did you overcome it?
My parents divorced when I was 3 and I was raised by a single mom. Periods of financial strain and additional legal issues caused further challenges in my family. Despite all of this, my siblings and I had what we needed to be raised in a safe environment and supportive community. While some of these challenges forced me take on more adult responsibilities at a younger age, I developed resilience and a strong work ethic because of it. Through it all, I learned the importance of a supportive community and learning to accept help when needed.
What advice would you give to your younger self, based on what you've learned throughout your life so far?
Even though you got so much praise for "being mature for your age," you don't have to grow up so quickly. Hold onto your carefree childhood for as long as you can. You do not have to hold it all together for the sake of the adults in your life -- don't be afraid to speak your mind, share your feelings, and express your needs. You are not a burden to others and they are happy to give you the support and love that you need!
Biography
Miranda joined Voices for Utah Children in November 2026. She brings a background in community engagement and outreach, immigration services, youth programming, advocacy, and local government. After completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Utah, Miranda began her career working at the Hinckley Institute of Politics, where she gained a deeper understanding of how policies impact the social issues that she cares about, such as immigration, criminal justice, and DEI work. This led her to pursuing a dual Masters degree in Social Work and Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin, where she conducted deeper analysis into policies and community issues that impact immigrant communities.
Before joining Voices, Miranda served as a Planning and Budget Analyst for Travis County in Austin, Texas, where she managed a portfolio of county departments who worked with indigent defendants involved in the criminal justice system. She is eager to use her extensive and diverse experience to contribute to the work that Voices does for the great state of Utah. Outside of work, Miranda enjoys hiking, dancing, cooking and baking, and traveling.
