Luiza Ortiz

Ms. Luiza Inez Ortiz is the Founder and Executive Director of Sister Of NEW Pre‑Apprenticeship of South Florida Corp, a women‑led 501(c)(3) workforce development institution advancing gender equality, skills development, and access to decent work. She brings more than fifteen years of experience in the construction industry as a female union carpenter, beginning her career in Brooklyn, New York through union apprenticeship pathways. Her professional background includes hands‑on expertise in carpentry, roofing, painting, plumbing fundamentals, and occupational safety, combined with a strong understanding of labor standards and the barriers faced by women and underserved populations in the skilled trades. This lived experience informs her leadership and her commitment to expanding equitable access to technical and vocational education and training (TVET). Since establishing Sister Of NEW in 2011, Ms. Ortiz has led the development of structured pre‑apprenticeship programmes, technical training curricula, and community‑based workforce strategies aligned with U.S. industry standards and international best practices. She oversees programme implementation, institutional partnerships, and organizational governance. Ms. Ortiz also directs the Sister Of NEW Institutional Governance Binder, a comprehensive system of policies, procedures, and quality‑management tools that strengthen accountability, transparency, and alignment with international standards. This governance framework supports the organization’s readiness for collaboration with UN agencies, development partners, and government institutions. Her leadership contributes to advancing SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 9 (Industry and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). She continues to guide Sister Of NEW in promoting inclusive workforce development and expanding access to sustainable economic opportunities