Born in Panama, she moved to the United States as a teenager and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film from Boston University. Her debut documentary "Maid in America" focused on the issues faced by Latina domestic workers in Los Angeles and it was screened nationally on the PBS series, Independent Lens. Her second production, "Children in No Man’s Land" was screened in more than 30 countries. It focused on the issue of unaccompanied minors crossing the U.S./Mexico border. She is the recipient of the prestigious Rockefeller Media Fellowship and has received funding from other major foundations such as the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Latino Public Broadcasting, and the Pacific Pioneer Fund.