The UMA Center, a nonprofit largely serving Latino communities in east Tulsa, has announced Carolina Hernandez as its new executive director.
Founded in 2020, the organization aims to empower communities through economic development, education and advocacy.
UMA is located inside the eastside indoor mall Plaza Santa Cecilia, but they work with organizations across Tulsa to bring resources to diverse neighborhoods. Their programs and services include health fairs, behavioral health workshops and an expanded version of FreshRx Oklahoma’s Food is Medicine program in Spanish.
The announcement comes as founding executive director Martha Isabel Zapata steps away from the organization. She also recently resigned from her role as CEO and president of the Tulsa Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which announced new leadership Monday.
“Dr. Hernandez brings a strong background in business management, community engagement and mission-driven work,” Zapata said by email. “She shares UMA’s deep commitment to equity, accountability and community-centered impact, and she is well prepared to lead the organization into its next chapter of growth and sustainability.”
In a LinkedIn post, Hernandez said her focus will be on protecting and advancing UMA’s mission, strengthening operational execution and sustainability, deepening partnerships across Tulsa and increasing community impact.
“UMA has built something rare: a mission-driven, community-rooted organization that strengthens health and wellbeing through trusted partnerships and practical, real-world programs,” she stated. “I’m grateful to the UMA Board of Directors for the confidence and for a thoughtful, values-aligned search process.”
Over the coming weeks, Zapata will work closely with Hernandez to ensure a smooth transition. Starting March 2, Zapata will remain involved with the organization in a limited advisory role as Hernandez as she assumes full executive leadership.
Zapata has left the nonprofit world to join mortgage lending company Waterstone Mortgage, according to her LinkedIn.
“After years of serving our community through The UMA Center—an organization I founded in 2020—I’m excited to continue that same mission in a new way: helping individuals and families build wealth and long-term stability through homeownership, primarily in Eastern Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas,” she stated.
This article was produced as part of a partnership between the Tulsa Flyer and La Semana, a Tulsa-based bilingual Spanish-English newspaper serving Latino communities in Oklahoma.
News decisions at the Tulsa Flyer are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
