Giselle Rocha is a bilingual creative cultural strategist, arts educator, and community organizer with over 10 years of experience advancing equity, healing, and youth empowerment through the arts. With a multidisciplinary background in visual design, trauma-informed care, and program coordination, she bridges creative practice with community impact — centering racial equity, restorative practices, and cultural storytelling in every space she enters.

Giselle has led arts-based initiatives across nonprofit, grassroots, and educational settings, from facilitating leadership development programs for Transitional Age Youth to designing trauma-informed after-school curricula, to managing communications and partnerships for networks. As co-founder of heARTspace, she uplifts artists and community members through collaborative programming, creative wellness, and cultural organizing in San Diego’s borderland communities.

Trained in restorative justice, motivational interviewing, and behavioral health practices, Giselle brings a people-centered approach to systems-building, team care, and advocacy. She currently serves on the board of Arts Education Connection San Diego and supports cross-sector efforts in youth development, arts access, and social change. Her work reflects a deep commitment to creating inclusive, healing-centered spaces where creativity, culture, and connection thrive.

Additional Roles:

• San Diego Creative Youth Development Network, Administrative Assistant

• Teaching Artist Guild, Regional Teaching Artist Leader

• Agency 515; The SET, Teaching Artist

• Arts Education Connection, Board Member

• San Diego LGBTQ+ Center; Project Trans, Community Advocate

• Environmental Justice Partnership, Community Advocate

• Independent Visual Artist, Cultural Strategist, Curator, Grassroots Organizer and Marketing Specialist