A proclamation in honor of Dr. Murillo, CEO of El Buen Samaritano, was presented last Thursday to Dr. Murillo declaring the day in her honor. The recognition came on the anniversary of her fifth year with El Buen. Dr. Murillo’s leadership has propelled El Buen Samaritano to a leading organization committed to service to its neighbors. So deserving of this honor, we celebrate her outstanding work and continued success.
Rising to the Challenge: Leadership in Crisis – In 2019, Dr. Murillo took on the role of CEO at El Buen Samaritano, a pivotal moment just before the world was struck by the COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic unfolded, instead of retreating, Dr. Murillo and her small, courageous team stepped up to face the challenges head-on. They swiftly launched an emergency response operation, ensuring equitable access to essential resources for thousands of Central Texas families disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Amid fear and uncertainty, Dr. Murillo offered the community hope, connection, and a vision for recovery.
A Steadfast Leader in Turbulent Times – Over the last five years, Dr. Murillo’s leadership has been defined by courage and collaboration. In the face of unprecedented health, economic, and environmental crises, she embraced innovation, even when the risks of failure were high. Under her leadership, El Buen delivered critical services to thousands, focusing on education, health, financial assistance, and essential needs. Her relentless efforts helped secure nearly $40 million in funding – this translated into service to more than 150,000 individuals, access to nutrition through distribution of 2 million pounds of food, vaccination of 5,510 individuals, dissemination of $21 million in financial and rental assistance, as well as funding and resources to 30 partner organizations leading through the pandemic.
Building a Legacy of Collaboration and Transformation – With over 30 years of dedicated service to underserved communities at the national, state, and local levels, Dr. Murillo is not defined by the past – she is driven by the future. Her unwavering commitment to AVANZANDO FUTUROS (Advancing the Future) is embodied in the creation of the Cradle to Contributor (C2C) Collective, a groundbreaking initiative that unites and brings the collective power of El Buen Samaritano, Todos Juntos, AVANCE, Con Mi MADRE, Latinitas, the Economic Growth Business Incubator, Equidad ATX, Community Coalition for Health, CARDEA, Wisdom en Families, and others. As a first-of-its-kind effort in Central Texas, the C2C Collective aims to uplift the Latino community by advancing academic achievement, economic mobility, and holistic well-being.
But Dr. Murillo’s vision goes beyond mere collaboration – it’s about building a thriving, sustainable ecosystem that drives long-term, transformational change. Her forward-thinking leadership reminds us that even in times of great uncertainty, we can cultivate a brighter, more inclusive future. Dr. Murillo’s innovative spirit continues to inspire, demonstrating that through unity and purpose, we can shape the future we dream of for our communities.
