OUR Leadership
Nicole Smith
President
Nicole brings a creative perspective and strategic thinking to her role as President of the Wait and Hope Foundation. With a background in International Relations from IE University and an exchange program at Koç University, she developed innovative approaches to societal challenges. Nicole is passionate about leveraging artistic expression for social progress and cultural exploration. She has played a key role in developing and organizing cultural and educational initiatives around the world, including in New York City, Madrid, Chicago, and Dubai.
Sofia Barreto
Secretary
Sofia Barreto is currently receiving her law degree from IE University, in Madrid, Spain. Born to South American parents, Sofia remains close-knit with her Latino community. She is passionate about literature, especially poetry, which she enjoys reading and writing. Sofia sees law as the main tool at her disposal in order to help people, and sees art as an essential tether to our humanity. In her role as Secretary and Director, she brings in all of these passions (law, literature, and art) to guide her as a community leader, holding tight the values of equity, inclusion, and justice.
Mariano Cuartas
Treasurer
Mariano Cuartas, based in Boston, MA, holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a Criminology minor from Framingham State University, graduating Cum Laude. While studying abroad in Florence, he discovered his passion for art and became a dedicated collector, inspired by the stories behind each piece. With experience as an Investment Operations Associate at Meketa Investment Group and an internship at Bank of New York Mellon, Mariano brings a blend of business expertise and a deep appreciation for art to the foundation.