Mariana Saucedo is Propel's Senior Director of Program Innovation & Design. She was born and raised in Chicago and is a first-generation college graduate. In college, she volunteered at the Hispanic Center of West Michigan, working with high school students for a Summer Bridge program. This experience solidified her passion to serve in education to support students on their college and career pathway.

Mariana has held various leadership roles for numerous pilot programs focusing on sustainable scaling while providing impactful services. Previously, she served as a Director of Postsecondary Partnerships at OneGoal - Chicago, working with regional university and progressive pathways partners to ensure Fellow success in enrollment, persistence and completion. She also previously worked at National Louis University as a Manager of Student Success for the Undergraduate College and a College & Career Coach in Chicago Public Schools. Mariana also served as a College Match advisor and research assistant working in two high schools through a partnership with MDRC, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, social policy research organization. Mariana is trained in Motivational Interviewing, Leading Equity-Based Professional Learning Communities and Restorative Justice Practices from the Network for College Success at the University of Chicago.

She attended Chicago Public Schools and graduated from Grand Valley State University, before earning her Masters in Public Administration.