We were lucky to catch up with Diana Diaz Madera recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Diana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

The name Corazón Norte carries deep meaning and reflects the heart of our mission. In Spanish, Corazón means “heart” and Norte means “north.” This name was inspired by the journey of immigrants who carry their hearts to the North (the U.S.), bringing with them dreams, hopes for a brighter future, talent, and kindness. It also speaks to a universal truth—immigrant or not, we are all, in some way, searching for our true north.
Our values of holistic wellness, fairness, prevention, and communal belonging are embedded in this name. Corazón represents the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being we strive to nurture, while Norte reflects the direction and purpose we aim to provide for individuals and communities seeking to thrive and find their place.
Ultimately, Corazón Norte symbolizes both the strength of those we serve and the humanity we all share in seeking growth, connection, and a path forward. Corazon Norte stands strong at the intersection of immigration, mental health and belonging.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Public Health and the founder of Corazón Norte, a mental health counseling and consulting firm dedicated to serving immigrants and BIPOC communities. My path into this field is deeply rooted in my own immigrant experience and a passion for creating spaces where individuals can heal, feel a sense of belonging, and thrive.
Corazón Norte is built on three core pillars:
Supporting Professionals: We provide workshops and training for human rights defenders, social justice activists, and social workers to help them address vicarious trauma and moral injury. By collaborating with organizations, we create inclusive, culturally responsive practices that ensure immigrants receive the individualized care they need to rebuild their lives.
One-on-One Therapy and Evaluations: We offer therapy to those whose hearts are de aquí y de allá and conduct immigration mental health evaluations to document the trauma experienced by forcibly displaced individuals, such as asylum seekers. These services aim to support healing from torture, persecution, migration challenges, and systemic injustices while helping individuals rebuild their lives in the U.S.
Advocacy Through Creativity: We run a small e-boutique featuring mental health and immigration-themed items—like stickers, journals, and totes. These products are designed to demystify mental health, connect people to their roots, and raise awareness about forced migration, making these important topics accessible to everyone. A portion of sales supports providing fresh groceries for newly arrived immigrant families in Los Angeles seeking safety from violence and persecution.
What sets Corazón Norte apart is its dual focus on addressing both systemic barriers and the individual needs of those impacted by migration and systemic inequities. Above all, we strive to foster a sense of communal belonging and build systems where people can thrive, not just survive.
I’m most proud of the way Corazón Norte bridges personal healing with broader systemic change, empowering individuals and communities while inspiring hope for a better future.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

While training and knowledge are essential, I believe that kindness, resourcefulness, and humor are equally critical for success in this field. In my profession, I’ve encountered both the worst of humanity and the most profound acts of humanity, and it’s these three qualities that sustain and inspire me.
Kindness is something I’ve learned from my clients—individuals who, despite experiencing unimaginable harm, still show immense compassion and forgiveness. Resourcefulness is another lesson they’ve taught me. I’ve seen a young immigrant mother stretch a single bag of groceries to feed not only her children but also her neighbors’ children and families and later create her own food catering business. That kind of ingenuity and care motivates me every day.
Humor, often seen as a response to trauma, also plays a vital role. It helps us endure hardships, build connections across cultures, and bridge divides. In many ways, humor is a gift—it reminds us of our shared humanity.
These qualities—kindness, resourcefulness, and humor—are what I strive to embody, not just for myself but as a reflection of the strength and spirit of those I have the privilege to serve.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Without a doubt, I would choose this profession and specialty again, in this life and any other. From a young age, I’ve had a natural ability to connect deeply with people, and my personal experiences have only reinforced my purpose. Leaving my home country and starting over from scratch gave me a profound understanding of the challenges immigrants face—needing and not having, navigating systems that weren’t designed for people of color, and witnessing the toll that a lack of resources takes on our communities’ emotional and physical health.
These experiences fuel my passion for creating programs and services with and for immigrants and other BIPOC individuals, where we can find support, ease, open doors, and healing. While I won’t deny that my path has been challenging, I wouldn’t change my choice. My hope is to make this journey a bit easier for the next generation of immigration mental health providers, so they can continue this work with fewer barriers and more resources.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.corazon-norte.com
• Instagram: corazon_norte
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-diaz-lcsw-mph