Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlene Soto-Riera.
Hi Marlene, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Marlene Soto-Riera is a Latina social-impact entrepreneur, six-time published author, and the founder of Helping Swans Co. and MEDIA Marlene LLC. Her work sits at the intersection of disability inclusion, rare disease advocacy, and community building—driven by lived experience as a disabled mother raising a child with autism and a rare disease.
After navigating an 11-year diagnostic journey with her son, Marlene transformed advocacy into action by creating inclusive programs, family-centered events, and culturally responsive resources for all. Through Helping Swans Co., she has led initiatives ranging from caregiver support circles and inclusive community celebrations to statewide and national advocacy efforts, including legislative work and conference speaking.
In recent years, Marlene’s impact has expanded nationally and internationally. She has received grant funding, earned multiple community and leadership recognitions, and continues to amplify the message that inclusion, access, and belonging should never be optional. Whether through authorship, public speaking, or grassroots organizing, Marlene’s mission remains clear: to build spaces where families feel seen, supported, and empowered no matter their diagnosis, background, or starting point.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth ride. Building this work while navigating my own disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, and the realities of running both a nonprofit and a business has required constant resilience. One of the biggest challenges has been sustaining momentum while operating with limited resources advocating for inclusion in spaces that weren’t originally designed to be accessible, culturally responsive, or family-centered.
On a personal level, balancing motherhood, health, and leadership has meant learning how to lead without burning out, ask for help without guilt, and redefine success beyond productivity. Professionally, I’ve faced the challenge of being taken seriously in rooms where lived experience is often undervalued, especially as a Latina woman advocating for disability and rare disease communities.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m known for turning lived experience into measurable impact. I specialize in inclusive community-building and advocacy across disability, autism, and rare disease spaces creating programs, events, and resources that center families and accessibility.
My proudest achievement is building Helping Swans Co. into an award-recognized, grant-funded organization trusted by families, partners, and institutions locally and beyond. While the honors matter, what drives me most is knowing this work creates real access, belonging, and support for communities that have long been overlooked.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success by impact, not titles. Success is watching a parent finally feel heard in a hospital room or waiting area, seeing children learn that invisible disabilities exist and matter, and witnessing connections form in spaces I intentionally created for community and belonging.
It’s showing up to support groups, holding hands during the hardest moments, and knowing that simply being present changes someone’s experience. It’s also sitting at decision-making tables where there wasn’t previously representation bringing a Latina voice, lived experience, and perspective into rooms that shape policy, access, and inclusion. That’s success to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://helpingswans.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momadvocatemarlene?igsh=dml4cXBxMjlkb3ln&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17y1RRBoxG/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlene-riera-a4a557252?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Other: https://givebutter.com/SpecialSoiree
