About Inspira

Inspira was created to help organizations and communities strengthen connection, communication, and long-term impact through culturally responsive strategy and implementation.

As a boutique bilingual consulting and creative agency, Inspira brings together expertise in community engagement, economic development, strategic communications, marketing, event production, and cultural initiatives. Our work is rooted in collaboration, authenticity, and meaningful community relationships.

We believe successful projects are built through trust, cultural understanding, and solutions tailored to the people they serve.

Mission Statement

To inspire and empower communities through engagement, strategic partnerships, and culturally rooted development that celebrates local heritage, strengthens economic opportunity, and enhances quality of life.

Inspirar y empoderar a las comunidades a través de la participación, las alianzas estratégicas y el desarrollo con raíces culturales que celebre el patrimonio local, fortalezca las oportunidades económicas y mejore la calidad de vida.

Vision Statement

To be Oklahoma’s leading force in community transformation by bridging culture, commerce, communication, and collaboration to create thriving and connected communities. 

Ser la organización líder en Oklahoma en la transformación comunitaria, uniendo la cultura, el comercio, la comunicación y la colaboración para construir comunidades prósperas, conectadas y sostenibles.

Core Values

  • Authenticity – Honoring local identity, culture, and community voice in every project.

  • Collaboration – Building strong partnerships across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

  • Innovation – Creating forward-thinking, sustainable solutions.

  • Impact – Advancing measurable outcomes that support long-term community and organizational growth.

  • Integrity - Leading with transparency, professionalism, and trust.

Meet the Team

Deanna Cardenas - CEO/Founder

Deanna Cardenas is a bilingual community leader, consultant, and cultural strategist with more than 25 years of experience serving Oklahoma’s diverse communities. Her work spans community engagement, nonprofit leadership, cultural arts advocacy, and strategic partnerships—bringing a unique blend of insight, trust, and relationship-building to every project.

Deanna began her career in commercial property management before transitioning into real estate, where her ability to connect deeply with clients and communities quickly set her apart. As the region’s Hispanic population grew, she became a trusted advisor and advocate, leveraging her cultural and linguistic fluency to bridge gaps, elevate community voices, and support families navigating key life decisions.

Beyond her professional work, Deanna has built a long track record of service across Oklahoma’s civic, business, and nonprofit sectors. She has served on numerous boards and advisory councils—including the Oklahoma Arts Council, Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma, Other Options Food Pantry,

Scissortail Community Development Corporation, the Governor’s Hispanic Initiatives Council, and the Mercy Health Foundation—where she has contributed to statewide efforts in arts access, economic empowerment, social services, and cultural programming.

Her experience in fundraising, event planning, community outreach, and organizational development gives her a strong foundation for Inspira’s consulting work. She brings a distinctive perspective shaped by decades of hands-on service, cross-sector leadership, and a genuine commitment to helping communities thrive.

Today, Deanna continues to serve as a leading bilingual real estate advisor while expanding her impact through Inspira, where she helps cities, nonprofits, and organizations create meaningful connections, elevate cultural identity, and strengthen community engagement. She is passionate about building a more vibrant, inclusive Oklahoma and invests her energy in strengthening families, neighborhoods, and community institutions.

Veronica Alarcon -
Chief Strategy Officer/
Co-Founder

A beacon of national service, Veronica Alarcon has shaped the lives of countless communities over her decades of work serving such entities as AmeriCorps, UnidosUS; the largest Latino, constituency-based, civil rights & advocacy, social justice organization in the nation as well as the OK Department of Commerce, just to name a few. Veronica has stood in the gap for marginalized communities, educating and advocating with authenticity, empathy, passion, compassion and care.

Social Impact Architect, Alarcon is compelled by the challenge to transform and develop BIPOC (Black Indigenous, Communities of Color) communities, LMI (Low to moderate income) communities and immigrant communities through capacity-building strategies, connecting funding initiatives and partnerships to equity driven initiatives.

Curriculum author for soft skills, mental health, and board development, Alarcon is adept in analysis, conducting scientific evaluation and crafting solutions to challenges in the nonprofit sector, government agencies and higher education through intellectual curiosity, mixed method research methodologies and data collection. 

Veronica possesses professional experience in all forms of energy with a specialty in Renewable Energy Solutions.

An expert in managing the delivery, development, design, specialized training and improvement of federal program requirements, application submission procedures, program interaction, capacity building; and increased program efficacy, Veronica is an expert in coordinating multi-state planning projects, procuring and overseeing multi-million dollar grants, creating uncompromised community impact.

Derived from the deep belief that equal access to educational opportunities can and will pivot the trajectory of one’s future, Veronica has dedicated herself to the tenacious task of transforming techniques in mentoring students and young professionals in higher education as well as the nonprofit sector.

Inspired by the idea that philanthropy and volunteerism are taught and recognized in a distinct manner within BIPOC communities, Veronica is impassioned by the role to represent marginalized communities,
highlighting the innovative, often unconventional contributions of these extraordinary individuals and institutions.

Ashley Caballero - Communications Director

Ashley Caballero is a communications and marketing professional with experience in higher education, journalism, public relations, and digital marketing strategy. She currently serves as a Business Communication Instructor in the University of Oklahoma’s Price College of Business.

Her background includes brand messaging, SEO content strategy, public relations, copywriting, social media strategy, and digital campaign management. Ashley has worked with organizations in media, film,

fashion, and national brand development, helping strengthen audience engagement and brand visibility through strategic communications and storytelling.

Ashley specializes in helping organizations communicate with clarity, authenticity, and cultural relevance through integrated communications strategies that strengthen visibility, engagement, and long-term impact.

Wilmari Ruiz -
Marketing Director

Wilmari Ruiz is an award-winning strategic marketing and communications professional with experience in integrated marketing, media coordination, bilingual outreach, sponsorship engagement, live event production, and community-focused campaign development. Her work combines strategy, audience engagement, operational coordination, and creative execution to help organizations strengthen visibility, connection, and long-term impact.

Her background spans traditional media, including radio, television, and print advertising, as well as digital marketing, public outreach initiatives, cultural programming, and large-scale event coordination. Wilmari has supported and

coordinated campaigns and productions across nonprofit, educational, entertainment, and community-based environments throughout Oklahoma.

In addition to her marketing and communications experience, Wilmari brings extensive knowledge in live entertainment and event production, including sponsorship coordination, talent and artist management, bilingual community engagement, promotional strategy, and event logistics. Her work in culturally centered programming and community events has helped connect organizations and audiences through meaningful and accessible experiences.

Wilmari has also contributed to the implementation of culturally relevant arts programming within Oklahoma public schools, supporting initiatives that promote cultural awareness, community connection, and student engagement through the arts.

She also serves in Academic Affairs at Oklahoma City Community College, where she supports institutional operations, communications, event coordination, and strategic initiatives across academic and community-facing programs.

Known for her collaborative and implementation-focused approach, Wilmari specializes in helping organizations move projects from concept and planning to execution, audience engagement, and measurable community impact.

Contact us

If you value collaboration and community-centered solutions, we would welcome the opportunity to connect.

Si valora la colaboración y la búsqueda de soluciones comunitarias, nos encantaría tener la oportunidad de conversar.