Driven by an innate need to help others, Yahaira Soto presently excels as the Hispanic liaison for the Cleveland Department of Aging. In addition to advocating for her community, she provides the Hispanic community with assistance in navigating the housing market in the area as well as in finding jobs. Over the years, she has assisted numerous people from Puerto Rico who were impacted by Hurricane Maria in finding housing for themselves and their families. Additionally, Ms. Soto organized an event where those families got “adopted” by different agencies during the Christmas season.
During the early stages of her career, Ms. Soto gained valuable expertise in public service with the nonprofit agency the Spanish American Committee; Amotec, a staffing agency; the city of Cleveland; and HEAP/PIPP, a senior home assistance program. She also spent time with IPIP in Cleveland. Outside of her work, she contributes to her community as an interpreter and planning committee member for Cleveland’s Hispanic Heritage Month and as a volunteer for their local Puerto Rican parade. Since 2023, she has volunteered with the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program and continues to volunteer at her local homeless shelter and various children’s events.
Throughout her career, Ms. Soto has achieved much, earning employee recognition during Hispanic Heritage Month from the city of Cleveland in 2022. Also in 2022, she was featured twice in Revista Enterese for her work on the Hispanic Senior Heritage Month with the Cleveland Department of Aging and was interviewed by Telemundo about her achievements. A distinguished Marquis listee, she has been featured in the Millennium Magazine and named to Who’s Who of Professional Women and a Who’s Who Top Professional. Ms. Soto has also been presented with the Marquis Who’s Who Humanitarian Award and the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor awarded by Marquis Who’s Who.
An expert in her field, Ms. Soto earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico in 2008. Currently, she is making plans to further her education by obtaining a master’s degree while continuing her community service efforts and working in the field of immigration. While her career has been filled with highlights, she takes the most pride in helping others. Ms. Soto’s goal is to cultivate a legacy as someone who is always available to listen to and help others, and she would advise young and aspiring professionals to dedicate themselves to their jobs and enjoy what they are doing. Though hard work and dedication have brought her far, Ms. Soto credits her success to her confidence, honesty, independence and compassion, as well as her family’s steadfast support. Born in Newark, New Jersey, she relocated to Puerto Rico with her parents, Maria Perez and Manuel Soto, when she was 15. She completed her education in Puerto Rico and got married to her husband, Carlos, before moving to Cleveland, Ohio, to begin her career. Her family also includes her two sisters, Yanilda and Yarimar, and her daughter, Anaya. Ms. Soto lives her life by the motto, “The greatest accomplishment is not ever falling, but it’s rising again after you fall.”
More information about Ms. Soto and her work can be found at the following links:
