Mar Y Sol Alvarado is a first-generation college graduate, with a double major in business management and international management from Menlo College and a Master’s Degree in Sociology from San Jose State University. She immigrated to the United States from Michoacán, Mexico; raised by a single mother in East Palo Alto, CA she’s the eldest daughter with two siblings.

With over 15 years of management experience in the non-profit sector, her career began as a Program Director for Catholic Charities in East Palo Alto. After 10 years of service to the East Palo Alto youth and family community, she transitioned from non-profit management to the private sector joining her husband, Alfred Robledo, as president of Alro Window Coverings (ALRO). Alro is a full-service window treatment contractor, servicing both commercial and residential clients in the Bay Area since 2008. It currently employs ten full time people from the East Palo Alto and Fair Oaks Communities.

Mar Y Sol is skilled in fundraising, recruiting, goal setting, bookkeeping, budgeting, business development, and business operations management. She is excited to bring her passion for women’s empowerment, equality, community outreach, minority representation, and leadership to the small business community.

As a full-time business owner, she finds time to stay active and engage in her community. As a native Spanish speaker, she serves as a business advisor for San Mateo County Small Business Development Center, proudly supporting Spanish speaking entrepreneurs and business owners. She partners with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center to share her story as a small business owner, and a woman of color in business. She is a member of the Parish Council for St. Francis of Assisi Parish in East Palo Alto, where she actively supports bringing resources to the Parish and community members. She’s beena guest speaker for local non-profits that highlight the importance of educational achievement among local youth and social support programs for local families.