“Before enrolling in Cristo Rey Boston High School, what I saw was what I knew,” recalls Viviana Jaramillo, now the Director of Community Development for the Miami Dolphins. “My parents are incredibly hard-working—my mom is a barista, and my dad manages the produce section of a grocery store. But until Cristo Rey Boston, I didn’t know what else was out there.” 

For Viviana, Cristo Rey Boston wasn’t just a high school—it was a launchpad. A proud member of the Class of 2011, she credits her four years at CRB with unlocking a world of opportunity she couldn’t have imagined. 

While she loved the social side of high school and built a close-knit group of friends, it was the Corporate Work Study Program that shaped her future. 

“I worked at O’Neill & Associates all four years. The professionalism I learned there set me apart for the rest of my life. I was developing real-world habits and skills as a ninth grader—things that gave me a competitive edge early in my career.” 

At O’Neill & Associates, Viviana also found something invaluable: mentors.
“Tom and Shelly O’Neill and Nairi Norigian are still in my corner to this day. My parents support me in every way they can, but they didn’t have experience navigating corporate America. My mentors helped me learn how to negotiate a salary, evaluate job offers, and grow as a professional.” 

Now, Viviana is paying it forward.
“I’m my younger brother’s mentor today, thanks to the example I had.” 

At Cristo Rey, Viviana earned a scholarship to Georgetown University, where she met her husband—also a Cristo Rey Network graduate. Together, their journey has taken them from Boston to Los Angeles to Miami. 

In LA, she served as Director of Major Gifts at UCLA Anderson School of Management, raising funds to support scholarships. Her passion for this work was deeply personal. 

“That scholarship to Georgetown changed everything for me. Raising money to help others access education—that felt like my mission.” 

Today, as Director of Community Development for the Miami Dolphins, Viviana is leading efforts to raise and distribute funds that empower underserved communities across South Florida. She’s especially passionate about encouraging young students to dream bigger. 

“It’s powerful to be in a role where I can make a difference in someone’s life, just like someone did for me.” 

To the next generation of Cristo Rey Boston students, Viviana offers this advice: 

“Be curious. Ask the questions you’re afraid to ask. Build strong relationships—they will shape your life in ways you can’t imagine.”