Meralis is the CEO of Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll), a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that partners with communities nationwide to help under-represented individuals successfully start and grow their own businesses. Under Meralis’s leadership, EforAll is working to significantly expand access to its programs with the launch of its first 100% online Business Accelerator program for residents of Arizona, California, and Texas in January 2024.
Prior to joining EforAll, Hood spent 7 years at City Year, Inc., an international educational nonprofit that partners with public schools to help students stay on track to graduate high school. She most recently served as market president overseeing the implementation and execution of the organization’s tactical vision and operational systems across 29 sites, achieved a positive net operating income, and drove strategic local and national partnerships.
Hood has also held various positions in education, including assistant principal at Bay View High School in Milwaukee public schools and a bilingual teacher – a position she held for nine years before shifting to district instructional coaching and administration.
With a passion for building and strengthening communities, while ensuring systems are in place to provide underserved communities with accessible resources to build autonomy and agency, Hood joined the Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equity where she hopes to support mental health efforts in the community.
Hood holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University, a Master of Science degree from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and an Education Specialist degree from National Louis University.