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Working Partnerships

Grassroots organizing & public policy innovation for a just economy

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Home › Maria Noel Fernandez

Maria Noel Fernandez

Executive Director

Maria Noel brings over a decade of organizing experience to the movement for a just economy in which all working people have what they need to thrive.

As Executive Director of Working Partnerships USA, she oversees multiple campaigns and initiatives aimed at advocating for people-centered policy, and building coalitions and community power to win groundbreaking change for working families in Silicon Valley.

She is the director for Silicon Valley Rising, a coordinated regional effort that’s inspiring an inclusive tech-driven economy. So far, the SVR campaign has helped over 5,500 service workers in the tech industry organize for better wages and a voice at work.

As Working Partnerships USA’s organizing director from 2014 to 2017, Maria Noel was instrumental in developing organizing and campaign strategies that won a $15/hr minimum wage in eight Silicon Valley cities, the first-in-the-nation Opportunity to Work ballot initiative, and other policies that are improving the lives of working people and their families. She led the organization’s non-partisan civic engagement programs that are building a strong grassroots base of low-income voters of color in Silicon Valley.

Previously, she worked with the South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council on successful issue campaigns to raise the minimum wage, pass a general tax for county safety net services, and more. She was district director for the previous California State Speaker Pro Tempore and joined that office after spending three years as a community organizer through Sacred Heart Community Service’s policy and organizing department where she led successful campaigns to protect senior services, defend immigrant rights and increase resources for the most underserved areas of San Jose. She currently sits on the board of Power Switch Action. .

She also spent three years teaching English and Social Studies in Bogota, Colombia after having spent several years working for the City of San Jose Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez during her time in office. 

Maria Noel lives in south San Jose with her husband, sons Tadeo and Diago and her dog Rocco.

BACK TO OUR PEOPLE

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Even as we fight the forces of oppression and expl Even as we fight the forces of oppression and exploitation, we’re grounded in gratitude for the brilliance of our partners and allies. Together, we’re doing the hard work of building futures where our communities have access to basic necessities and real opportunities, now and for generations to come.

📣 Join us at our upcoming High Road Summit—because now is the time to double down on equity, climate action, and worker power!

We’re growing a High Road economy that centers underinvested communities, protects our climate, and uplifts the leadership of workers, immigrants, and communities of color. These aren’t just ideas—they’re real, collaborative projects already transforming our region. And we need bold, committed stakeholders to help sustain this momentum.

Be part of the movement shaping a cleaner, more equitable future.
👉RSVP today at wpusa.org/highroadsummit or go to the link in our bio 🔗
Universal Healthcare Coverage is at Risk! ⚡️🚨⁠
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Gov. Newsom’s proposed budget is a huge blow to the state’s efforts towards universal health care coverage, #Health4All, a goal that Gov. Newsom once lauded. Advocates are calling on state legislators to REJECT these proposed budget cuts. Our system is stronger and our communities are healthier when everyone is covered; an attack on one is an attack on us all!⁠
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Click the link in the bio to find your representative!
We are proud to stand alongside @seiu521, @seiu102 We are proud to stand alongside @seiu521, @seiu1021, @parentvoicesoakland, Headstart workers, parents, and providers to demand justice for our children, families, and care workers from our Care Workers Council. 

Childcare is under attack in Santa Clara County.
❌ Headstart and Early Head Start are being defunded
❌ Childcare providers are being laid off
❌ Facilities are shutting down permanently

These cuts hit hardest in East and South County, where families already face limited access to childcare. These are childcare deserts — and they’re growing.

This is a call to action: Invest in care, not cuts.

Every child deserves a safe, nurturing place to grow. Every working family deserves support. Every provider deserves respect.

We're organizing for Childcare for All — because strong communities start with strong care.

#ChildcareForAll #StopTheCuts #SEIU521 #WorkingPartnershipsUSA #HeadStartMatters #InvestInCare #CommunityPower #SouthBaySolidarity #WhenWeFightWeWi
🔹 Employers in San Jose with 36 or more employe 🔹 Employers in San Jose with 36 or more employees are legally required to prioritize offering additional work hours to qualified part-time employees before hiring external candidates, including subcontractors or temporary staffing agencies.⁠
🔹 This ordinance aims to increase economic stability for part-time workers by ensuring they have the first opportunity to take on additional hours before new hires are considered.⁠
🔹 Non-compliance can result in city-led investigations and financial penalties for violating businesses.⁠
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NEW REPORT by @CHIRLA_ORG and @CAFastFoodUnion she NEW REPORT by @CHIRLA_ORG and @CAFastFoodUnion sheds light on the specific ways that fear about immigration status, and lack of knowledge about their rights, are impacting the lives of over 600,000 fast food workers across California.

While union workers have used their rights to hold fast food bosses accountable, many workers continue to live in fear.

Thanks to the bold leadership of our elected representatives , Santa Clara County is exploring providing Know Your Rights training for fast food workers. We need to let them know that we support safe, in-person training for Fast Food Workers in our county, where they can learn about their rights, understand labor laws, and connect with trusted resource people for guidance on workplace issues.

Read the report: https://www.chirla.org/fastfoodworkersreport/
Last week in San Jose, we gathered with workers an Last week in San Jose, we gathered with workers and community members from across our campaigns — app-based drivers, care workers, Berryessa Flea Market vendors, trades program participants, and more — for a community BBQ and potluck.⁠
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It was a chance to slow down, share a meal, and connect across the different parts of our work and lives. We enjoyed fresh-off-the-grill tacos 🌮 and elotes 🌽, music, games for the kids, and a piñata — and meaningful time spent together.⁠
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Huge shoutout to our team for pouring heart into every detail, and to everyone who showed up, brought food, brought love ❤️, and brought hope.⁠
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We’re proud to be part of this vibrant, unstoppable community in Santa Clara County — and even prouder to keep growing it together 🌱.
📢 We're hiring at Working Partnerships USA!⁠ 📢 We're hiring at Working Partnerships USA!⁠
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If you're ready to turn your passion for social justice into action, this is your chance to join a team fighting for economic equity, workers’ rights, and real community power. From supporting groundbreaking workforce programs to organizing alongside working families, our open roles offer the opportunity to make meaningful change in the South Bay and beyond.⁠
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We're looking for driven, values-aligned individuals to join us in building a future where everyone can thrive.⁠
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Scan the QR Codes or use the link in our bio to apply! 🔗
🚨 May Day is OUR day 🚨⁠ ⁠ This May 1st, 🚨 May Day is OUR day 🚨⁠
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This May 1st, we’re hitting the streets with workers, immigrants, and our Santa Clara community—because when we move together, we’re unstoppable.⁠
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We're bringing our voices, our stories, our culture to the streets—because when our community stands united, no force can silence us, divide us, or steal our future.⁠
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We’re not just marching. We’re building power. We’re demanding dignity. We’re showing up for each other.⁠
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📍 Story & King, San José⁠
🎉 Rally: 2:30pm | March: 4:00pm | Ends at City Hall with performances and community celebration ⁠
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📢 Calling all future organizers, advocates, and 📢 Calling all future organizers, advocates, and changemakers! ✨ 

Working Partnerships USA's Bill Leininger Summer Justice Internship application is now open! This paid, 8-week internship is your chance to dive into real community change work—supporting campaigns that fight for racial justice, workers’ rights, housing, and more right here in Santa Clara County.

Whether you’re a student, a new organizer, or just interested in movement work, this is an awesome opportunity to learn hands-on organizing, connect with mentors, and grow your leadership. You’ll be matched with a campaign that fits your interests and get to see the impact of grassroots power up close.

✨ Apps are due May 10—so don’t wait! ✨

This internship is open to everyone—if you’re passionate about justice and ready to make a difference, we encourage you to apply. Just bring your energy, curiosity, and commitment to community.

Apply today using the link in our bio! 🔗
🕯This year's Workers’ Memorial Day event was 🕯This year's Workers’ Memorial Day event was a powerful reminder of why this work is urgent and necessary. In a world where too many workers still face unsafe conditions, low wages, and a lack of basic protections, creating spaces to share knowledge, build solidarity, and honor those we’ve lost is essential to pushing for real change.⁠
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Through worker stories, hands-on trainings, and open conversations about immigrant rights and workplace safety, we created a space for learning, healing, and collective action. As we continue the fight for safer, fairer workplaces, we carry with us the memories of those we honored and the lessons we heard. ⁠
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The movement for workplace justice doesn’t end with a single event—it lives on in every worker who speaks out, every right we defend, and every community we build together. 💪⁠
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Shout out to @somosmayfair, @pawissouthbay @stepfwd.fdn @sccfairwrkplace @scc_rapidresponsenetwork and our volunteers who made this event possible!⁠
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If you or someone you know needs support, resources, or legal help, visit The Fair Workplace Collaborative website to get connected: https://wpusa.org/work/just-economy/fair-workplace-collaborative/ :link:
🤝 This Saturday, April 26, The Fair Workplace C 🤝 This Saturday, April 26, The Fair Workplace Collaborative invites you to a powerful Workers' Memorial Day event honoring the lives of those lost to unsafe working conditions—and empowering those still on the job today.⁠
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Through trainings, storytelling, group activities, and an immigration Q&A panel, we’re creating a space where workers can come together to learn, connect, and support each other. You’ll be able to tap into resources from local and state organizations, hear directly from fellow workers about what they’ve faced on the job, and get real answers to your questions. Together, we’ll honor the lives of those we've lost to unsafe workplaces, build stronger bonds across our communities, and walk away with tools to protect ourselves and each other.⁠
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Childcare will be provided, and free food will be available to support community engagement. Doors open at 5PM with opening stories and coffee/pan dulce, followed by an evening full of learning, reflection, and solidarity. ⁠
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Whether you're a worker, an ally, or a community member committed to justice, we welcome you to be part of this day of remembrance, education, and action. ✊ Sign up using the link in our bio 🔗
✨Save the Date—Celebrate 30 Years of Powering ✨Save the Date—Celebrate 30 Years of Powering Progress in the South Bay!✨⁠
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For 30 years, Working Partnerships USA has been powering progress and shaping a better future for working families in the South Bay. This year, we celebrate that legacy—and the bold vision we’re building for the next 30 years.⁠
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In exactly 6 months from now, join us on October 17, 2025, at the Signia by Hilton in San Jose, as we celebrate our 30th anniversary at the Champions for Change Gala. ⁠
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Together, we’ll honor the advocates, leaders, and movements driving transformation in our communities, recognize the progress we’ve made and recommit to growing local power, strengthening our regional economy, and ensuring a just future for everyone who lives and works in Santa Clara County.⁠
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Use the link in bio to save the date on your calendar 🔗⁠
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Stay tuned for announcements about featured speakers, our 2025 Champions, sponsorship opportunities, and ticket sales.
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WORKING PARTNERSHIPS USA
2302 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95131
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