Wilma Pastrana

Wilma Pastrana Jiménez was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She grew up in Río Piedras and graduated with honors from the Colegio Nuestra Señora del Pilar. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Boston University before returning to Puerto Rico and obtaining a CPA license.^[1]

Pastrana married Alejandro García Padilla on April 7, 2001.^[2] They have three children: Ana, Juan Pablo, and Diego.

Pastrana worked with businesses and organizations such as Deloitte & Touche, GlaxoSmithKline, Panell Kerr and Foster, as well as the Puerto Rico Convention Center and the Tourism Company,^[1] continuing even after she became first lady.^[3] When her husband won the Governorship of the Island, Pastrana took on additional roles, including initiatives to reduce the dropout rate and spur educational development,^[1] to combat childhood obesity and improve health^[4] to provide safe spaces and developmental opportunities for children living with disabilities,^[5] to teach nutrition and gardening skills throughout the country^[6] and several other social service programs to build community.^[7]