Bienestar Community Economics is dedicated to creating healthy and vibrant communities.
Bienestar is a learning organization that provides consulting services dedicated to advancing inclusive regional economic development. We work at the intersection of economic, human capital, and placed-based development and lead projects across geographies and jurisdictions. We collaborate with innovative leaders to close education and economic equity gaps and drive transformational change in communities.
Our services include strategy and design, research and evaluation, facilitation and capacity building, and more.
Equity and Well-Being
Everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed. Individual and community well-being is key to economic resilience.
Innovation and Collaboration
We find new solutions to economic challenges through working across sectors, recognizing that collective efforts achieve greater impact.
Accountability for Impact
We hold ourselves and our partners accountable for results, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth
Meet the Team
Ana Bertha Gutierrez
CEO & Founder
Ana is the CEO and Founder of Bienestar bringing together approaches to systems change, economic, and human capital development that prioritize inclusion, well-being and place-based strategies.
Ana has held leadership roles in education, non-profits, and government for over 20 years. She is focused on integrating economic, place-based, and human capital development systems to build inclusive and resilient regional economies where individual well-being is valued as an economic indicator of success. She has held full time tenured teaching positions in high school and a CA community college. She has conducted research on registered apprenticeships for the U.S. Department of Labor and has been a local consultant building place-based education pathways. Before founding Bienestar Community Economics, she led the California office and a national program at Jobs for the Future, an education and workforce intermediary.
Ana is a proud daughter of immigrants and first generation college graduate. In 2004, she was the youngest elected City Council Member in the City of Brentwood, and only Latina to hold the office of Vice Mayor and Acting Mayor.
EDUCATION
MEd in Cross-Cultural Teaching from National University
MPA in Economic and Territorial Development and Global Energy Sustainability Policy from SciencesPo (Institut d’etudes Politiques de Paris)
BA in Molecular and Cell Biology and English Literature from UC Berkeley
Megan Meo
Senior Manager, Strategy and Operation
Megan is the Senior Manager of Strategy and Operations at Bienestar. She leads the implementation of key projects and partnerships, ensuring they align with Bienestar’s strategic vision of building inclusive economies. She manages operations, overseeing processes and resources to drive the growth and success of the organization.
Megan has led a diversity of cross-sector initiatives centered on creating an economy that works for all. Prior to Bienestar, Megan worked at Project Equity, where she helped build ownership opportunities for workers as a way to address wealth inequality. A lifelong learner, she is excited to be part of a dynamic and growing organization.
As a former bike tour guide, Megan has biked across the US more than once, learning about local economies one Main Street and small business at a time. A former professional baker, she’s always searching for the perfect laminated pastry.
EDUCATION
MBA & MPA in Sustainable Solutions from Presidio Graduate School
BA in Cooperative Entrepreneurship from Hampshire College
Meet the Network of Consultants
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
At Bienestar Community Economics, we believe in the power of specialized expertise to drive meaningful impact. For all our projects, we partner with a diverse network of consultants who bring deep subject matter knowledge and unique perspectives to our work.
We invite you to explore their profiles, learn more about their specialties, and discover how they could contribute to your work in building inclusive and equitable communities.
