Milsa Nagaraj, Choosing a Future of Her Own

Meet 2026 Voices and Dreams Academy participant Milsa Nagaraj

2026 VOICES AND DREAMS ACADEMY PARTICIPANT SPOTLIGHT

“You do not have to carry everything by yourself.”

For Milsa Nagaraj, building a future began with making sure her family could get through the day. When she immigrated from Mexico to the United States in 2004 with her husband and three children, there was much to figure out: a place to live, schools for the children, work and life in an unfamiliar language.

Twenty-two years later, Madison is home. Milsa holds an Associate Degree in Business Management and serves as the Administrative Manager at Extended Hands Pantry. Her journey connects the determination of a mother supporting her family with the leadership of a woman now helping her community.

Milsa Nagaraj, Choosing a Future of Her Own & Building a life in Madison

Milsa remembers how much effort those early years required. At times, she worked two jobs, moving from one shift to the next while raising her children and adapting to a new country. Finding stability demanded energy that left little room to consider her own goals.

Language barriers, limited time and family responsibilities made returning to school feel difficult to imagine. Milsa wanted more possibilities for her children, but she was also beginning to ask what it would take to create more possibilities for herself.

Investing in her education

A difficult experience at work prompted Milsa to reconsider the future she was building. She recognized that continuing to push herself physically could not be her only plan. She chose to enroll in college and pursue an Associate Degree in Business Management.

The decision brought its own uncertainty. Going back to school meant entering an unfamiliar setting while continuing to work and care for three children. Yet it also gave her a way to build administrative and organizational leadership skills that could open a different professional path.

Milsa’s education became an investment in her ability to make choices. She learned to move beyond responding to immediate needs and begin planning for the future she wanted.

Learning to let others help

College also introduced Milsa to people who helped her keep going. Teachers, mentors, classmates, and community members offered support as she balanced school, work, and motherhood.

For someone accustomed to carrying so much responsibility, accepting help was a lesson in itself. Milsa learned that asking for support could be part of taking charge of her life. Her effort mattered, and so did the relationships that made it sustainable.

That understanding remains central to the story she is developing through Voices and Dreams Academy. Milsa wants other women to know that investing in themselves and allowing others to help can create room for a new direction.

Bringing her experience into community service

Since December 2025, Milsa has worked as Administrative Manager at Extended Hands Pantry. She brings her business education and commitment to service to an organization helping people in her community.

Her work reflects both professional preparation and lived experience. Having navigated the demands of building a life in a new country, Milsa understands how much families carry as they work toward stability. She is passionate about supporting the pantry’s mission and making a positive difference in the lives of the people it serves.

A future she is still shaping

Through Voices and Dreams Academy, Milsa is bringing her personal journey and professional growth into a story of self-determination. She is reflecting on what it took to make a change—and on the people who helped her believe that change was possible.

Hear Milsa share her fuller story at Voices & Dreams Live | Voces y Sueños en Vivo on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Goodman Community Center in Madison. Join us for the community altar beginning at 3 PM, followed by the live show with dinner at 5 PM.

About Milsa Nagaraj

Milsa Nagaraj is the Administrative Manager at Extended Hands Pantry, where she has worked since December 2025. Originally from Mexico, she has called Madison, Wisconsin, home for 22 years. Milsa holds an Associate Degree in Business Management and is passionate about organizational leadership, community service, and supporting local families. She is a participant in the 2026 Voices and Dreams Academy.

Connect with Milsa: LinkedIn