Col. Marisol A. Chalas, CRF Board Member, was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Massachusetts from the age of nine years old. Growing up, she witnessed her immigrant family’s unrelenting work to rebuild their lives in the United States. Those formative years taught her that “nothing is given, and everything is earned.” Her parents’ incredible perseverance shaped her into a successful leader who is resilient, grateful, and committed to giving back to the country that welcomed her.
Chalas’s appreciation for her country led her to pursue the highest call of duty–the military, and, ultimately, aviation. She chose aviation in particular because it is a field where she rarely saw people with her background. Driven by the desire to honor her country and break barriers, she became the first Latina Black Hawk pilot in the Army National Guard. Currently, she serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7 for the Army Reserve Aviation Command. She spends her days ensuring that forces are “ready for any deployment,” or in other words, trained and capable of handling any issue of national security that may arise.
Trailblazing is deeply important to Chalas. She sees her leadership and being “a first” as a tremendous honor and responsibility. She shares, “It’s about holding the door open so I am not the last.” She lives every day with intention, believing that representation can and will be expanded with effort like hers.
Her background greatly contributed to her appreciation of philanthropy. She was raised within humble beginnings and worked hard to accomplish a great deal, but she remains committed to uplifting others. She particularly cares about vulnerable populations, like children and families. She says, “Philanthropy isn’t just an extra activity for me; it is a responsibility.” This philosophy perfectly encapsulated how she does everything, from commanding soldiers to serving on boards like the Cristian Rivera Foundation.
That same conviction is what brought her to CRF. While attending the 16th Annual Gala, she was genuinely moved by the strength of D.I.P.G. families and warriors like Nicole. She soon joined the Board with the hopes of helping drive strategy, expanding awareness, and supporting groundbreaking research. What sets CRF apart, she explains, is the Foundation’s relentless commitment. With an absolute resolution, she believes, “we are full steam ahead.”
This highly decorated new board member has an incredible message to share with families battling D.I.P.G.: You are not alone. She defines success for the Foundation as giving families more time, another birthday, and another holiday, while working toward a cure for D.I.P.G. While all of the wonderful doctors work to make that a reality, she remains devoted to the mission, standing with all of the families who inspire her so much.
All of us at the Cristian Rivera Foundation are thrilled to have Chalas on our board, and we believe that not even the “sky” is the limit for her.