Carina Boston Pinales
Hometown:
San Marcos, Texas
Connect: LinkedIn
Carina is excited to work alongside diverse stakeholders within the host community, including local businesses, organizations, and residents; this deep collaboration presents an opportunity for collective problem-solving and innovation, while fostering a sense of ownership among community members to demonstrate what they can collectively achieve.
Carina Boston Pinales, brings years of experience in social impact and change management, with a primary focus on addressing community needs through technology, collaboration, sustainability, and renewable solutions. Serving as the Central Texas Community Organizer for the Global Entrepreneurship Network and a delegate at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, she actively propels entrepreneurial initiatives in her region.
With a background in Psychology and Design, Carina possesses a unique skill set that translates clients’ visions into tangible outcomes and ensures effective team management. Her expertise lies in optimizing processes, tools, and techniques to navigate the human side of business, resulting in efficient cultural change.
Trained in ethics, multicultural and diversity issues, she is routinely sourced to help facilitate and manage personal transitions. Carina has been widely acclaimed; She is a recognized Unsung Hero by Ecosystem Builder Hub community, Social Ventures, the +SocialGood community, a Shining Star under 40, and the Distinguished Alumni in Business Development and Innovation award by the National Hispanic Institute.
Carina’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish the first coworking space, Splash Coworking (Splash), situated in the “Texas Innovation Corridor.” This groundbreaking initiative fosters a diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial environment, offering tools and opportunities to underrepresented founders and startups. As the founder of the award-winning Splash, Carina has created a locally rooted and globally connected ecosystem in the heart of Texas, providing funding, mentoring, and educational resources.
ERC Project
Project Title:
Sailing to Prosperity in the Northern Mariana Islands
Host Community or Region:
Northern Mariana Islands
Host Organization:
CNMI Department of Commerce
In collaboration with the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Department of Commerce, this project navigates economic development in the Pacific paradise of CNMI. With approximately 47,000 residents across three islands, the region grapples with post-typhoon recovery and economic diversification challenges. Addressing a 14 percent unemployment rate, limited capital access for small businesses, and a dependency on Asia-centric tourism, the project is vital to combating these challenges. The ERC project’s vision includes expanding and developing industries beyond tourism, reducing unemployment, supporting small businesses, increasing access to capital and resource capacity, particularly benefiting indigenous CNMI residents. The ERC Fellow's role will support strategic planning, securing funding, grant strategies, community outreach, and project management, leading to a new era of prosperity, economic diversification, and resilience for the CNMI community.
Interested in supporting this project or learning more? Contact the ERC program team here.
