Meet Our Founder
Mary Ann Garcia is a visionary healthcare leader and community advocate with over 20 years of experience in clinical management and emergency medicine operations. As a high-level healthcare executive, Mary Ann has spent two decades navigating the complexities of the medical field—a journey that ultimately inspired her to become a bridge for those the system often leaves behind.
In 2019, Mary Ann founded Raices Unidas to build that bridge. What started as a mission to help neighbors navigate medical and educational hurdles has grown into a vital pillar of the Houston community. Over the past seven years, the organization has evolved to meet the city’s most urgent needs, from life-saving healthcare advocacy to critical natural disaster relief and professional mentorship initiatives like 'Project Prom.' To date, her leadership and community programs have positively impacted the lives of more than 20,000 Houstonians.
Her unwavering commitment to service earned official recognition in 2023, when the City of Houston issued a formal proclamation designating November 13th as an official day of honor for her organization.
Beyond her nonprofit work, Mary Ann is a multi-faceted entrepreneur and mentor. She serves as the CEO of Beauty Factory and the founder of Horizon Healthcare Advocates. Currently completing her Bachelor of Public Health, she continues to blend her executive expertise with her passion for guiding the next generation of professionals toward their own paths of purpose.
A proud, bilingual Houstonian, Mary Ann’s dedication to building a stronger, more resourceful city is deeply personal. As a devoted mother of three, she is driven by the desire to create a better, more supported future—not only for her own children but for every family she serves across the community