Lara Fernandez
Executive Director for SAIL
laraf@uoregon.edu

Lara Fernandez joined the SAIL program in May 2011. 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 in the wilderness and years of Conference Management for MP Associates, Boulder, CO. Now with three teenagers 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.

Daisy Martinez
Outreach Coordinator for SAIL
dmarti14@uoregon.edu

Daisy Martinez joined the SAIL team in April of 2022 as SAIL’s first professional Outreach Coordinator! Daisy earned a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Studies from the University of North Texas. Prior to joining UO, Daisy worked for a nonprofit that provided assistance to those at risk-of or experiencing homelessness through grant writing and fundraising before moving into a case manager role where she oversaw a Homeless Prevention program as well as a program for Veterans. In her time at UO, Daisy has gained a wealth of information and experience through her various roles which range from administratively supporting the Division of Undergraduate Education and Student Success to Financial Aid counseling for Study Abroad. Daisy was raised in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas where she experienced first-hand the importance and power of pre-college programs. Daisy is passionate about helping students from low socioeconomic, first-generation, and underrepresented backgrounds and looks forward to creating a positive impact through her new role.

Christina Turchetto
Office Coordinator for SAIL
cturchet@uoregon.edu

Christina Turchetto earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona. She is a First-Generation college graduate herself, so knows firsthand, what an important program SAIL is. Christina and her family relocated from Tucson, AZ  to Oregon in 2013 and settled on living in Eugene in 2014. In addition to teaching, Christina has experience working in the hospitality industry, as well as administrative positions that include; real estate, human resources, the University of Arizona Law school, and medical billing. Christina is very excited to be back to working at a University, and especially to be the Office Coordinator for the SAIL program. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and 2 dogs, exploring all the outdoor beauty and activities Oregon has to offer.