Essence is an Iipay/Yoeme enrolled member of the Mesa Grande Band. She has more than twenty-five years of experience in  business and service in the holistic health and wellness field. She holds a Masters of Public Administration from National University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a Minor in Anthropology from CSU San Marcos, and an Associate of Arts degree in Kumeyaay Studies from Kumeyaay College.

Essence proudly serves her host community as a fellow through the national Economic Recovery Corps, a program launched in 2023 through a $30 million cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). Over the 30-month Fellowship, 65 Fellows are working alongside Host Organizations in underresourced communities, building a nationwide corps of diverse, cross-sector talent with the skills and expertise to activate regional strategies and promote innovation.