Senator Marissa Jiménez

Marissa, “Marissita,” Jiménez Santoni was born on February 18, 1979, in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, although most of her years have been spent in the town of Carolina. Jiménez Santoni was raised under the guidance of her maternal grandparents, Mr. Emilio and Mrs. Awilda, and her mother, Maritza Santoni—a great educator—who instilled in her high principles of respect and responsibility, as well as ethical, moral, and religious values. This upbringing inspired her toward public service and the well-being of communities and those most in need. She is married to Juan Valentín Nieves, whom she describes as her life partner and unconditional collaborator. Together, they have carried out the inescapable task of raising their three children, aged 18 to 25—Thaysha, Braulio, and Alondra—with great satisfaction and personal achievement. As a deeply united family, they are members of the Luz de Salvación Baptist Church located in the city of Carolina. Regarding her education, she completed her primary grades at the Río Arriba Second Unit School in her hometown, from which she moved to the Ángel P. Millán Middle School in Carolina, and finished her high school years at the Luz América Calderón School in the same municipality. An outstanding student throughout her entire school life, she was always part of the honor roll and served as a leader for graduating classes, field days, talent shows, and many other extracurricular activities. Similarly, curious and interested in the political history of Puerto Rico, she joined the Youth Organization of the New Progressive Party during her early adolescence as a clear indication of her leadership outside the school environment. At age 14, she was elected Municipal Vice President of that organization. At 18, she worked as a poll official and voted for the first time in the 1998 Plebiscite. Along this path, she was an Electoral Coordinator (2004) and Electoral Commissioner (2000, 2008, and 2016) for Precinct 107 in Carolina, which she has presided over from 2019 to the present. She has worked as a political and electoral collaborator for mayors, senators, representatives, and governors. The Regional Board designated her as the director of “Get Out The Vote” for the Carolina region. She belongs to the Organization of Public Servants. In the academic field, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a concentration in pre-school and primary teaching. Additionally, she earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration specializing in Human Resources Management from Ana G. Méndez University, graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors. In the professional world, she has worked in the private sector, particularly in customer service. Likewise, in her vocation for public service, she was a Special Assistant in the Citizen Outreach Office of the House of Representatives from 2009 to 2010. She worked as a Customer Service Clerk at the Electric Power Authority (PREPA) from 2012 to 2016, and in recent years held several positions—such as Regional Director, Executive Assistant, and Operations Manager—all within the Automobile Accident Compensation Administration (ACAA). Mother, daughter, granddaughter, wife, educator, public servant, and tireless worker: these are the experiences she will draw upon as a Senator to provide the best service to Puerto Rico.