Mariela Paz is a multifaceted Chef, Artist, Designer, and Community Advocate dedicated to promoting art and culture while fostering connections through food, music, and creativity. A cancer and domestic violence survivor, Mariela uses their experiences to inspire and empower others, frequently serving as a panelist at events like the Ohio Women’s Leadership Summit.

Their artistic contributions include leading lead-free painting classes for families at Loew Park in partnership with Old Brooklyn Families Group (2017–2019) and receiving the Old Brooklyn Development Founder Award in 2020. Notable projects include murals such as "Stay Strong Cleveland" at Sabor Miami Café during the pandemic and a commissioned piece for City Music Cleveland. Their work has been showcased in exhibitions like Unidos por el Arte at Julia de Burgos Cultural Center, The Power of Latino Art at the FIG, and MOCA Cleveland, among others.

With over 30 years of experience in graphic design, Mariela has held prominent roles such as Creative Director at McCann Erickson Honduras, Marketing Advertising Director at BanCorp Honduras, and Head Designer for silkscreen companies in Miami. Their dedication to community art and cultural engagement continues to inspire and uplift.