Gloria Perez is President & CEO of Jeremiah Program, a leading national nonprofit whose proven, holistic approach transforms families from poverty to prosperity two generations at a time. Through safe and affordable housing, quality early childhood education, life skills training and support for career-track education, Jeremiah Program prepares determined single mothers to excel in the workforce, readies their children to succeed in school, and reduces generational dependence on public assistance. Since joining Jeremiah in 1998, Perez has become one of the country’s leading experts in two-generational strategies to reducing poverty. A graduate of Macalester College, Perez is a recipient of the Alexandrine Medal from St. Catherine University, Catharine Lealtald Service to Society Award, Ellis Island Medal of Honor, Women of Distinction Award from the Girl Scouts Council of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys, Citizen of the Year Award from the Minneapolis University Rotary Club, Unsung Hero Award from WomenVenture, and Ruby Award from the Minneapolis Chapter of Soroptimist International.