Lara Fernandez
Executive Director for SAIL
laraf@uoregon.edu

Lara Fernandez joined the SAIL program in May 2010. She has a Master’s degree in Social Work Administration from the University of Nevada and received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Vermont. Lara has an eclectic work background in program development and specializes in programs for teenagers. Her related past employment includes: development and management of a shelter for battered women in Las Vegas, Nevada; working with Aspen Achievement Academy, a youth wilderness program designed for interventions with youth who have criminal backgrounds, in Loa, Utah; creating and directing the City Kids to Wilderness Project in Jackson Hole, Wyoming for low-income, inner-city high school students to discover life beyond inner city and years of Conference Management for MP Associates, Boulder, CO. Now with three young college students of her own, Lara enjoys program development, and assisting teenagers and college students with exploring their academic goals through the SAIL program.

Maritza Ruiz
Program Manager for SAIL
mruiz@uoregon.edu

Maritza Ruiz joined the SAIL team in March of 2023. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Oregon. Prior to joining the UO, Maritza worked in the non-profit sector specifically around Youth Programming. For all of her professional career, Maritza has worked in youth programs of all ages ranging from 2.5-year-olds to teen volunteer programs. She also has a huge passion for work around diversity, equity, and inclusion. Maritza was raised in Caldwell, Idaho, and is a first-generation graduate herself. Being a part of the SAIL team at the UO, Maritza hopes to continue to serve underrepresented populations and bring awareness to the barriers that students face when trying to reach their academic goals. During her free time, she enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her partner and their two dogs.