What was your first job, and what did it teach you about yourself?

My first job was babysitting, and it taught me that relationships are truly at the heart of every experience. Caring for children required patience, empathy, and communication, skills that I’ve carried into every stage of my career. I learned early on that trust and connection make all the difference, whether you’re supporting a child, collaborating with colleagues, or building partnerships across a community. That understanding continues to shape how I approach leadership and engagement today.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Micaela Perez Ferrero joined Baltimore’s Promise in November 2025 as the Senior Manager of Employer Engagement. She is driven by a belief in the power of education, advocacy, and community to create lasting change for all youth, especially those in Baltimore.

Drawing on over 10 years’ experience in teaching, relationship building, and organizational leadership, Micaela brings a passionate commitment to equity-driven education and youth development to her role. From her teaching days working with students in historically underserved communities to roles in partner success and teaching and learning, Micaela’s career has been dedicated to advocating for young people across Baltimore. She has also worked in the edtech space, partnering with school districts nationwide to ensure students from marginalized communities received the support and resources they needed to thrive in the classroom and beyond.

Micaela holds a Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University, where she was an AmeriCorps Scholar, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, graduating summa cum laude as both a Sondheim Public Affairs Scholar and a Robert E. McNair Scholar.

In her free time, Micaela sings with Charm City Sings Community Chorus and Chamber Voices, volunteering as a mentor with Higher Achievement, and exploring the vibrant neighborhoods of Baltimore with her boys: Andrew, Arlo, and Peluche.