A lifelong White Sox fan from Chicago’s South Side, Nancy’s story begins with Tejano parents, Mexican grandparents who fled the Revolution in 1910, and a mother whose father was Polish from Nova Scotia. Her father, Nicolás, one of 16 children and part of a WWII family of eight brothers who served, taught her work ethic through action — midnight shifts in brutal Chicago winters, fixing cars, and teaching her to change her own oil and tires.

“Dad was a motivating force by action, not by words.”

Her mother, Micaela, who passed away last month (June 2026) at age 97, raised six children, sent them to Catholic schools, and blessed Nancy’s journey with love and faith.

Nancy’s path was shaped by resilience: a two‑year scholarship cut short due to prejudice, working in the church rectory, learning office etiquette at Jones Commercial High School, and being encouraged by mentors to pursue college. She studied Photography & Journalism at UT Austin, earned her Master’s at the University of Michigan, and produced her first film La Llorona — inspired by a “not‑a‑good boyfriend.”

“So I sent La Llorona after him!”

Her career spans PBS, KCET, ABC Chicago, and collaborations with Roger Ebert, Gene Siskel, Greg Nava, and Ana Thomas. She stepped into the Producer role by picking up the clipboard when others walked away — and asking for the job.

Nancy is also a two‑time cancer survivor, a believer in prayer and science, and an advocate for women’s health:

“GO GET THE EXAMS!”



Her father’s sacrifice — giving up his dream of a fishing cabin to put $9,000 down on an apartment building — taught her the power of generational wealth. Today, Nancy continues that legacy through her own small business ventures, including a remodeled basement rental that supports traveling nurses and visiting families.