Meet the Team.

Cocina Libre is a storytelling collective rooted in food, resistance, and community care. We bring together immigrant chefs, scholars, and student collaborators to celebrate the power of culinary traditions as tools for healing, identity-building, and liberation.

What began as a research project has become a growing movement—one that lives in kitchens, classrooms, and community spaces across borders.

Dr. Julia (she/her) is an immigrant from Argentina, a licensed psychologist, and a tenured associate professor at the University of Denver. She founded Cocina Libre to create space for stories that nourish, challenge, and connect us—stories of migration, struggle, joy, and collective strength. Her work is grounded in liberation psychology and driven by a commitment to justice, healing, and cultural pride.

As an award-winning educator and seasoned facilitator, Dr. Julia brings over a decade of experience leading transformational workshops on equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive care. She has designed and facilitated interactive trainings for universities, nonprofits, healthcare systems, and community organizations across the U.S. and Latin America. Her workshops skillfully integrate evidence-based practices with story, reflection, and collective wisdom—making them both rigorous and relational.

With deep expertise in DEIJ strategy, intergroup dialogue, and culturally grounded mental health, Dr. Julia creates spaces where teams can build trust, deepen self-awareness, and take meaningful action toward equity. Whether leading community care circles, facilitating bilingual conversations on identity, or supporting leadership development, she approaches her work with humility, humor, and a sharp analysis of power.

Jamie (she/her) brings over 15 years of experience in equity-centered leadership, entrepreneurship, and organizational development. An expert in building sustainable systems, Jamie oversees day-to-day operations, strategic planning, and cross-sector partnerships to ensure Cocina Libre’s programs and storytelling efforts run with integrity, clarity, and care.