Headshot of Solimar Ayala
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Solimar Ayala is the Board Chair of Parenting Matters, bringing a powerful blend of professional expertise, personal experience, and deep community commitment to the role. A proud native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, Solimar has built a dynamic career as an educator, entrepreneur, and advocate for families in Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

Currently, Solimar serves as a STEM and special education teacher at IMG Academy, where she has worked since 2016 in the Learning Resource Center. She specializes in individualized learning plans informed by neuropsychological evaluations and supports student development in executive functioning, math, and science. Her commitment to inclusive education and academic excellence has made her a trusted mentor and leader in the classroom and beyond.

Outside of education, Solimar is the owner of College Explorer, a small business dedicated to helping students and families navigate the college admissions process. Her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for service are also reflected in her past work in Puerto Rico’s biotechnology sector, where she held technical consulting and quality control roles with firms like Lilly del Caribe and Pharma-Bio Serv.

Solimar’s journey with Parenting Matters began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she and her daughter participated in the Musical Motion program. The experience offered connection and support during an isolating time, igniting her desire to give back to other families. She joined the Board in 2023 and has since emerged as a thoughtful, engaged leader dedicated to Parenting Matters’ mission of empowering parents and strengthening families.

With a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Biotechnology from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez and certifications in customer experience, analytics, and multilingual communication, Solimar brings a fresh, strategic perspective to the organization. Her leadership is marked by cultural humility, educational insight, and an unwavering belief that when families are supported, children thrive.