Miguel has built a 15+ year career in development, communications, and philanthropy, collecting and sharing human-centered stories that have inspired investment in many communities, including immigrants seeking financial access and inclusion and first-generation students of color pursuing higher education. He served these communities through his work at Covenant House California, Mission Asset Fund, and iMentor. In these previous roles, Miguel helped plan annual galas and community events, directed online fundraising campaigns, and secured critical lifelines in revenue by winning grants. 

In 2020, he pivoted to grantmaking at a field-leading, capacity-building organization, The LeadersTrust, where he managed a portfolio of worker justice organizations in California, administering over $10 million in multi-year, unrestricted grants. During this time, he was selected as a fellow for the Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP) Impact program and served on the steering committee for Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy - Bay Area.

Miguel has a bachelor’s degree from the University of California-San Diego and a master of social work degree from the University of Southern California. From his educational training, he applies a human-centered and systems-thinking approach to cultivating trust-based relationships with organization leaders.

Currently, Miguel provides strategic communications advisement and support for Yu Ming Charter School and previously partnered with Carino Consulting to offer grant writing support for several Bay Area-based clients serving various communities, including foster children, unhoused youth, and entrepreneurial immigrants.

Having lived in the Philippines, Australia, Malaysia, and now Singapore, Miguel considers himself a “global soul” with deepening roots in Southeast Asia. Oakland had been his home for many years, and he remains committed to Bay Area equity-driven organizations, especially through his role as a trustee on the Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE) governing board.

Miguel is deeply grateful—and constantly humbled—by his globetrotting, multicultural family, including his two creative and compassionate daughters, and his inspirational educator partner who teaches the family to follow dreams without abandon.