Ruth Penales Sembrano was born in Zamboanga, Philippines. The daughter of a Philippine Air Force officer, she lived in different parts of the country as a child and eventually went on to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. She lived and worked as a nurse in Italy for seven years before moving to the United States in 1993, where she married the love of her life and started her own family. A hardworking and dedicated mother, she raised her three children in an environment that allowed them to become successful in their academic, athletic, and personal lives. Ruth passed away in 2014, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and passion for service that continues to shape the lives of her loved ones. The Ruth Sembrano Foundation is dedicated in her honor with the goal of providing the same opportunities and unwavering support she gave her family to young people in need.

To accomplish our vision and mission, we take a two-pronged approach: building strong community engagements and creating evidence-based solutions. First, we will partner with grassroots organizations, community leaders, healthcare workers, and educators to understand the barriers to quality education and healthcare in low-income areas. Then, we will work with experts to develop solutions that are tailored to the specific needs and context of our target communities. We will continue to collaborate with our local partners so that they have an active role in the development of these solutions. This ensures that we are providing them with services that will be truly beneficial for them and can be sustained in the long term. We will support youth leadership organizations, schools, and health facilities through improving infrastructure, providing resources, and delivering training. By improving baseline services, we hope to foster a generation of empowered youth who can leave a lasting impact on their communities, country, and the world.

The Ruth Sembrano Foundation will begin its work in the Philippines, particularly in the Province of Cebu. While Cebu is a bustling metropolitan classified among the country's wealthiest provinces, more than 490,000 individuals in the region continue to live in poverty. We aim to work with low-income communities in the province to provide essential education and healthcare support. Our goal is to eventually bring our programming to other parts of the country as well.

Josh Sembrano Born in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, Josh is a BS Business Management graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He is currently serving as an officer for the United States Army based in Savannah, Georgia. Josh has an extensive background in swimming and served as the Army Men's Swimming Team Captain during his time at West Point. As part of the work he is doing for the Foundation, Josh is now exploring ways to provide free swimming lessons to inner-city youth in New Jersey. A first-generation immigrant with Filipino heritage, Josh was the recipient of The Outstanding Filipino of America (TOFA) Award for Youth and Sports in 2016. His work in the Philippines through the Foundation is focused on collaborating with youth-led organizations and youth leaders to create impact in local communities.