Reyna Montoya

Photo by Diego Lozano for ALIENTO

“I have the power internally to change my circumstances, if I rely on my community and even though I might not see my community day-to-day, I know they are within my heart.”

- Reyna Montoya

A DACAmented social entrepreneur, educator and dancer, Reyna Montoya is the founder and CEO of ALIENTO. She is an alumna of Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. 

Reyna was born in Tijuana, Mexico, 15 minutes from the U.S. and Mexico border, and migrated to Arizona in 2003 fleeing violence. Despite the fear, anxiety and stress of growing undocumented in Arizona and witnessing her dad go through deportation proceedings, Reyna did not lose hope. That is why she took a leap of faith and decided to create Aliento in 2016 after years of organizing and educating both at the local and national levels. 

In this episode, Reyna talks with Alya on a range of topics, including the hardships she experiences as an immigrant woman and the importance of a strong community to get through challenges.