Juliana Lozano is a bilingual social worker, therapist, and nonprofit leader dedicated to advancing mental health access for youth and women. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Despierta, a Charlotte-based nonprofit that provides culturally responsive mental health programs, education, and community support. Through her leadership, Despierta has become a trusted resource for breaking stigma, building resilience, and ensuring that individuals have access to care that reflects their culture, language, and lived realities.
Juliana’s personal journey, including her own experience overcoming domestic violence, fuels her commitment to creating spaces where women can heal, lead, and thrive. Her work blends professional expertise with empathy, drawing on a career rooted in direct service, trauma-informed care, and community advocacy.
In recognition of her vision and impact, Juliana was named a 2025 Fellow for the Aspen Ideas Festival, joining a national cohort of leaders shaping conversations on equity, innovation, and community change. That same year, she was honored with the SPARK Award from the Women’s Impact Fund, which recognizes inspiring women leaders in Mecklenburg County who work directly with community members to drive transformational change. She and Despierta were also recognized by Social Venture Partners through the SEED20 competition, earning second place and the Community Vote Award for their innovative, healing-centered approach to youth mental health.
Beyond her work at Despierta, Juliana serves as Vice President of the Safe Alliance Survivor Input Taskforce Advisory Board and is an active member of the Domestic Violence Speakers Bureau, where she uses her voice to advocate for systemic change and survivor-centered policies.
Juliana holds a BSW from UNC Charlotte and an MSW from the University of South Carolina. Her career reflects her belief that mental health is not a privilege but a right, and that culturally responsive care is essential to building safe, thriving communities.
