BIOGRAPHY

Luisa Fuentes emigrated from Lima, Peru, to Minnesota over 25 years ago. Ms. Fuentes has degrees in journalism from Bausate y Meza University and Early Childhood Education from Garcilaso de la Vega University in Lima-Peru, she also studied English at the University of Minnesota.

Luisa was determined to establish a career path that would directly correlate with her education and experiences while positively impacting her community, allowing her to give back in a way that created kinship and an understanding of Latin American cultures and the language.

In 2003, Luisa founded Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Centers with a vision aimed to prepare students to excel as young leaders of tomorrow by combining an exclusive curriculum together with elevated with first-class childcare services andSpanish Language Immersion. A source of inspiration and motivation and drive has always been my son Nicholas—an American who looks like a Peruvian—because I have always wanted him to have the experiences that her background has bestowed upon her. Helping him recognize his roots will undoubtedly aid in a better construction of his personal identity.

With her zest for her Hispanic and Latino heritage and her keen business sense, she was able to grow her program and its ever-expanding curriculum. Rayito de Sol's learning centers offers its participants Spanish language learning through immersion while providing young learners the opportunity to discover the expansive world of cultures, people, places, and traditions. This early exposure to embracing diversity instills a greater sense of community that will positively impact future generations. Rayito de Sol also incorporates STEAM platforms as an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics as access points for guiding students through the process of critical thinking.

Rayito de Sol has become an exemplary award-winning childcare establishment and is the recipient of the Nickelodeon Parents' Picks Award for Best Preschool and the Governor's Certificate of Recognition Award for outstanding dedication to education and sharing the wonders of Spanish and Latin American culture with Minnesota children and youth. The Former Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White, highlighted the presence of Rayito de Sol in the Chicago- Illinois area and actively supported its rapid growth in that state. Rayito de Sol won the 2022 SBA Minnesota's Woman-Owned Business of the Year also Ms. Fuentes was elected Notable WomanEntrepreneur 2022. On Rayito de Sol won the Latino Business Of The Year 2023. For it trajectory, these awards recognize Rayito de Sol's groundbreaking work in early education in USA.

Rayito de Sol centers are also NAEYC accredited (National Association for the Education of Young Children). Obtaining this prestigious accreditation ensures the program offers the highest quality of care and education for young children. Only 9% of the early childhood programs in the nation are awarded this accreditation, and Rayito de Sol is one of them!

Rayito de Sol expanded to Minnesota and Illinois, aiming to have 25 locations by the end of 2025, Rayito de Sol remains focused on developing the program and brand across the United States to offer families the opportunity to provide their children with a holistic learning environment that integrates childcare and education with culture and language.

As Ms. Fuentes carries proudly her Hispanic and Latinx cultural background and as a leader in the BIPOC community, she focusses in responsibly expose her culture and values with the authentic sense of respect and education, currently Luisa is the face of the Spanish language immersion and cultural development in Early Childhood in the USA.

Outside of Rayito de Sol, Luisa is multi-faceted and takes her role as a community activist and leader. She was a founding member of the Board of Directors for Beacon Academy, a charter school started in Plymouth, Minnesota. Luisa has also played an active role in various youth and business networking groups for both women and minorities (e.g., National Association of Women Business Owners, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, MAIN-Minnesota Advocates for Immersion Network). She is part of the board of directors of the Caminos del Inka, a non-profit organization that works to discover, preserve, and spread the musical heritage of America. Luisa Fuentes also carries her culture proudly, representing her home country Peru internationally as a national champion of Marinera, Peruvian national dance.

As Ms. Fuentes carries her Hispanic and Latin cultural background focusing in responsibly exposing her culture and values with the authentic sense of respect and education remaining a catalyst for ensuring current, and future generations come together to help lead, direct, grow and support each other to succeed and flourish.