Wuela Heceta
Founder & CEO
Wuela’s journey in community empowerment began in 2012 during mission trips to Haiti, where she witnessed firsthand the stark realities of extreme poverty alongside resilience, hope and faith. These formative experiences solidified her core belief in the inherent dignity of every individual and became the foundation for her life's work. Wuela credits her heart of service and nurturing nature to her parents, who dedicated much of their professional lives to medical mission work in foreign countries and providing food and shelter to friends and family in times of crisis. This powerful family legacy shaped her worldview from an early age, instilling values of compassion, generosity, and community responsibility that continue to guide her work today.
As a mother of two accomplished adult children—Tyson, who holds a Master's in Higher Education from Villanova University, and Braedyn, who has pursued studies in Pre-Med, Psychology, and a Master’s in Counseling—Wuela understands firsthand the importance of supportive environments for personal growth and achievement.
A 1991 graduate of Villanova University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Wuela built her career on a strong academic understanding of human behavior and development. This educational background has informed her holistic approach to community support and empowerment strategies.
Throughout her career, Wuela has intentionally pursued roles that allow her to apply her expertise to support vulnerable individuals and families. Her professional experience spans multiple dimensions of community service: advocacy for underrepresented populations, case management for families facing complex challenges, community outreach to identify and address unmet needs, non-profit management and program development. Each position has deepened her understanding of the systemic barriers to self-sufficiency and has refined her approach to creating effective interventions.
Wuela's leadership is distinguished by her firm belief that "it takes a village"—a philosophy that champions collaborative approaches to community challenges. She recognizes that sustainable change requires collective effort and shared responsibility rather than isolated interventions. The leadership of Empower and Link represents a perfect alignment of personal passion, professional experience, and practical wisdom. She leads with both heart and head—balancing compassionate understanding with strategic thinking. Under her direction, Empower and Link operates with the understanding that lack of resources and support—not lack of potential—is what frequently prevents individuals and families from achieving stability and advancement. Her vision for Empower and Link embodies the belief that with the right connections and support, individuals can overcome barriers and build fulfilling, self-determined lives.