One woman has always seen challenges as opportunities to grow and create something greater—and that woman is Liliana De Abreu.
Liliana embodies perseverance, thrives on transformation, and has an unwavering commitment to helping others.
Born in Venezuela, she built a thriving career in finance, working in prestigious roles such as Division Head at the Ministry of Ground Transportation and Treasurer of the Venezuelan Association of Fiscal Control.
Unfortunately, political unrest in Liliana’s home country forced her to make the painful decision to leave everything behind—her family, her friends, her accomplishments—and begin anew in the United States.
Starting over wasn’t easy.
The challenges were immense: learning a new language, adapting to a different culture, and adjusting to an unfamiliar climate.
Yet, Liliana’s determination to succeed and make a difference never faltered. Each hurdle only reinforced her to create a meaningful life, not just for herself but for others who, like her, were navigating the hardships of displacement and change.
Amid these struggles, Liliana faced an invisible battle—her mental health.
Anxiety, depressive episodes, and low self-esteem loomed over her as she adjusted to her new reality. She tried various approaches to find relief, but it wasn’t until she discovered the healing power of art that she began to transform her life.
Through plastic arts, she uncovered a way to express emotions that words could not capture. Each brushstroke helped her rebuild her self-esteem, rediscover her strengths, and ultimately regain her sense of purpose.
That transformative experience became the foundation of Liliana’s mission. She realized that art brought her healing and could be a lifeline for others struggling with similar challenges. This realization led her to establish Lilu’s Crafts and its program, designed to combine art therapy with practical tools for empowerment.
As the Founder and CEO of Lilu’s Crafts, she oversees every aspect of her organization, from developing wellness and empowerment programs to executing strategic goals and representing the company as its face.
Liliana’s vision for Lilu’s Crafts was rooted in a deep understanding of the mental health crisis in the United States.
With 150 million people living in federally designated mental health professional shortage areas—many of them in low-income and rural communities—she knew that access to care was limited, particularly for marginalized groups like immigrants and Spanish speakers. Cultural barriers often left these communities suffering in silence.
Lilu’s Crafts was her way of addressing this gap, providing a safe and supportive space for healing and growth.
The program’s approach is unique, blending art therapy with financial mentorship. Liliana recognized early on that mental health and financial stability are deeply intertwined.
For many participants—single mothers, victims of domestic violence, at-risk youth, and female immigrants—financial insecurity is a significant source of stress.
Through Lilu’s Crafts, students gain tools for self-expression and practical skills such as budgeting, financial planning, and entrepreneurship.
Liliana’s professional path gave her the expertise to design such a program. Before founding Lilu’s Crafts, she held numerous financial leadership roles, including Finance and Administration Manager at Bolido Brands LLC, Senior Accountant at RBK Management LLC, and Accounting Assistant at Hersco Ortho Labs in New York. In Venezuela, she served as an Auditor II for the Fund for Socialist Agrarian Development and as an Audit Assistant II at KPMG.
These experiences, combined with her educational background—a Bachelor’s degree in Public Accounting from Alejandro De Humboldt University and a Master’s degree in State Audit Management from Simon Bolivar University—provided her with the skills to ensure the program’s sustainability while mentoring participants on their own financial journeys.
Her commitment to professional development extended beyond finance.
Liliana pursued an Art Therapy certification from a globally recognized platform accredited by the IPHM (International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine), ICAHP (International Compliance Assurance for Holistic Practitioners), CMA (The Complementary Medical Association), and the Centre of CPD Excellence. This training and her personal experience equipped her to guide others through the healing process, she herself had experienced.
As painter Gil Dellinger once said,
“Art is important. We tend to think it’s a luxury, but it gives people deep pleasure because beauty is the personification of hope that something grander is at work.”
This belief resonates deeply with Liliana, whose work at Lilu’s Crafts embodies the transformative power of creativity. Through her program, participants discover not only the joy of artistic expression but also a renewed sense of hope for their futures.
The impact of Lilu’s Crafts extends far beyond individual participants. The program fosters community, empowering people to share their stories, connect with others, and break the silence surrounding mental health.
For children, engaging in art promotes creativity, intellectual growth, and fine motor skills, while adults gain self-awareness, increased self-esteem, and tools for personal development.
Liliana’s journey from Venezuela to the United States was filled with challenges, but these experiences only deepened her empathy for others. She understands what it means to start over, to feel alone, and to wonder what the future holds. This understanding fuels her dedication to helping others find their strength and purpose.
As Voltaire once observed,
“The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.”
For Liliana, art serves a similar role. It provides a space for healing while allowing participants to grow and thrive.
Through Lilu’s Crafts, she has created a program that addresses the multi-faceted challenges people face, offering emotional support and practical solutions.
Looking to the future, Liliana dreams of significantly expanding Lilu’s Crafts to reach even more communities. She sees the program as a beacon of hope, guiding individuals toward sustainable, fulfilling, and transformative futures filled with endless possibilities.
She continues to empower participants to unlock their full potential by offering ongoing mentorship and support.
Liliana De Abreu’s story is the one showcasing resilience and transformation. From her beginnings in Venezuela to her life in the United States, from finance to art therapy, she has turned adversity into an opportunity to make a difference.
Her work at Lilu’s Crafts is not just about healing—it’s about inspiring others to believe in the beauty of hope and the strength within themselves.
