Ana Damaris Ortiz-Ortiz is the Director of the College Lift Program at Forsyth Technical Community College, where she leads efforts to increase college access and success for historically underrepresented students. With over 20 years of experience in K–12 and higher education, she is a visionary leader dedicated to equity, cultural identity, and community engagement.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Ana Damaris is a bilingual, bicultural, first-generation college graduate. Her journey fuels her commitment to transforming educational systems and building programs that empower families and communities.

She led the expansion of the Toyota Family Literacy Program in North Carolina’s third-largest school district and has served as an assistant principal and district leader supporting multilingual and underserved students.

Ana Damaris holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from St. Thomas University and is pursuing a doctorate in Strategic Leadership. She also participated in Harvard’s Public Educational Leadership Program.

Married to her husband Javier for 24 years, they share a deep passion for advocacy and education. They are proud parents of a daughter who is a nurse. Ana Damaris enjoys swimming, reading, and spending time with family.