Leadership

Jose Enriquez Ph.D.
Founder Chief Executive Officer

Jose Enriquez Ph.D.
Founder Chief Executive Officer
- Email:jose@latinosinaction.org

Caryn Martinez
Chief Financial Officer

Caryn Martinez
Chief Financial Officer

Robert Herrera
Chief Financial Officer

Robert Herrera
Chief Financial Officer

Kayla Nielsen
Chief Operating Officer

Kayla Nielsen
Chief Operating Officer

Julie Arocha
Director of Events and Activities/Regional Program Manager

Julie Arocha
Director of Events and Activities/Regional Program Manager

Linda Torres
Regional Program Manager | Central Florida/Tampa

Linda Torres
Regional Program Manager | Central Florida/Tampa
After graduating from UCF, Linda focused on improving the lives of young people by working in education and for youth-serving organizations. She was the Education Coordinator at Mothers Against Drunk Driving, where she visited schools and even dressed as the Grim Reaper to spread a message of safety on our roads. Linda also worked as the Director of Prevention Services for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida, where she trained staff in the implementation of programs such as SMART Moves and SMART Girls.
As an educator, Linda’s experience includes over 20 years and many roles, including Reading, Health and ESOL Teacher, Testing Coordinator, Reading Interventionist, ESOL Compliance Coordinator and Staffing Specialist. Linda is mother to two young men and three chickens. During her free time, you may find Linda kayaking or practicing shooting sports and archery. She loves to spend time with her family and traveling, especially to places with beautiful bodies of water.
Linda’s favorite quote expresses the importance that she gives to being authentic: “…Para saber a dónde se va hay que tener primero la voluntad y la determinación de seguir siendo quien se es. De otro modo, el que llega es otro... Quien deja de ser no llega." Ernesto Ramos Antonini

Vanessa Alder
Regional Program Manager | Utah North/Idaho

Vanessa Alder
Regional Program Manager | Utah North/Idaho

Grethel Becerra
Regional Program Manager | Utah South/Nevada

Grethel Becerra
Regional Program Manager | Utah South/Nevada
Right before graduating, Grethel began working as a health educator for a non-profit organization. She mainly worked under grants that focused on programs for underrepresented Latino youth in areas such as rape prevention, teen dating abuse, and bystander intervention. Her primary work consisted of teaching classes to youth in residential treatment centers, group homes, and across Utah County schools. Working directly with youth has taught Grethel the impact and importance that forming positive relationships with students can have in their future. As a Latino first generation student herself, she knows how important it is to have a mentor in school and the impact it can have on the education of an adolescent. She believes in the importance of having programs where youth can learn and discover how to unleash their full potential.
One of Grethel’s goals is to continue her education and get her Masters and PhD in the nearfuture. She hopes to be a role model to her children, nieces and nephews, and other Latino students and let them know that anything is possible if they set their mind to it! Grethel is excited to be part of the Latinos in Action and such an amazing team of leaders! She looks forward to working together to continue empowering young Latinos to become the leaders of tomorrow! Outside of work, Grethel loves spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys photography, listening to podcast and traveling to Mexico to enjoy the good food!

Geraldine Vea
Regional Program Manager South Florida

Geraldine Vea
Regional Program Manager South Florida
Geraldine realized this was her opportunity to return to her element and passion for working with tomorrow’s future leaders. Her passion for helping and working with the community has landed her the opportunity to work with the South Florida Region where she currently resides. Some of Geraldine’s hobbies include spending time with her children and traveling. She loves to explore other cultures and countries with her family. Geraldine’s favorite cuisine is Peruvian but also loves her “Abuela’s Pupusas”. She hopes to share her passion and experiences with those whom she interacts with.

Andrea Bruno
Regional Program Manager | Broward /Illinois/Iowa

Andrea Bruno
Regional Program Manager | Broward /Illinois/Iowa

Camilla Ramazzini
Data Specialist

Camilla Ramazzini
Data Specialist
During her time at Harvard, Camilla worked on immigration advocacy and organizing with the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, asylum case management with Physicians for Human Rights, and school program data collection with Special Olympics, D.C.
Her upbringing and story have motivated her to continue opening doors for other Latino students and their families through education.
Outside of work, Camilla enjoys hiking, spending time with family, playing board games, and singing.In his free time, Robert enjoys deep-sea fishing, spending time with his family and friends, attending sporting events, and enjoying some good East coast pizza. He is a hard-core Boston sports fan. Robert lives with his wife, Jackie, and their son Gabe. His daughter Jasmin, recently graduated from San Diego State University and his son Benny, is currently attending Sacred Heart University. Her current interests include reading, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family.

Nate Creer, DHSC, MBA
Virtual Education Specialist Special Projects Support

Nate Creer, DHSC, MBA
Virtual Education Specialist Special Projects Support
During her time at Harvard, Camilla worked on immigration advocacy and organizing with the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, asylum case management with Physicians for Human Rights, and school program data collection with Special Olympics, D.C.
Her upbringing and story have motivated her to continue opening doors for other Latino students and their families through education.
Outside of work, Camilla enjoys hiking, spending time with family, playing board games, and singing.
- Email:nate@latinosinaction.org

Angela Puertas
Family Engagement Specialist

Angela Puertas
Family Engagement Specialist
This experience sparked Angela's love for the Spanish language and Hispanic culture, which continued to grow during her 18-month mission for her church in Honduras. After returning home, Angela pursued her education at BYU, where she graduated with degrees in Marriage and Family Studies and Human Development.
Angela is a devoted wife to her husband James, who hails from Peru, and the mother of nine children. Her love of different cultures and travel has led her to explore many parts of the world. Angela also expresses her love through cooking and feeding others.
In her community, Angela has become a passionate advocate for inclusivity and parental involvement in education. She has served in various roles within the PTA, including her current position as president at the high school where three of her daughters attend. Under her leadership, the PTA grew from 10 to over 160 members, allowing for greater parent involvement and support.
Angela's commitment to her community extends beyond education. She is also involved with the city council and school board and serves as a substitute teacher, specializing in English as a second language and Portuguese classes. Angela's passion for language and cultural understanding has helped her make a positive impact on the lives of those around her.

Shelly Chin
Grants/Development Project Coordinator

Shelly Chin
Grants/Development Project Coordinator
This experience sparked Angela's love for the Spanish language and Hispanic culture, which continued to grow during her 18-month mission for her church in Honduras. After returning home, Angela pursued her education at BYU, where she graduated with degrees in Marriage and Family Studies and Human Development.
Angela is a devoted wife to her husband James, who hails from Peru, and the mother of nine children. Her love of different cultures and travel has led her to explore many parts of the world. Angela also expresses her love through cooking and feeding others.
In her community, Angela has become a passionate advocate for inclusivity and parental involvement in education. She has served in various roles within the PTA, including her current position as president at the high school where three of her daughters attend. Under her leadership, the PTA grew from 10 to over 160 members, allowing for greater parent involvement and support.
Angela's commitment to her community extends beyond education. She is also involved with the city council and school board and serves as a substitute teacher, specializing in English as a second language and Portuguese classes. Angela's passion for language and cultural understanding has helped her make a positive impact on the lives of those around her.

James Carrie Puertas
Higher Education Coordinator

James Carrie Puertas
Higher Education Coordinator
Looking towards the future, James plans to continue expanding his business ventures by launching two new businesses with fellow entrepreneurs in 2023. These ventures include Zen Cor, a hot and cold therapy wellness center that offers healing and personal growth, and Mr. Kong Tacos, a food truck that provides quality food with outstanding customer service.
Aside from his thriving business ventures, James is a devoted family man who has been happily married to his eternal companion for 11 years, and is the proud father of two beautiful children. His entrepreneurial spirit, strong work ethic, and unwavering commitment to family values have shaped his character and leadership style, making him a respected member of the business community in Provo, Utah.
In his leisure time, James is an avid soccer fan and a die-hard Barcelona supporter. He also enjoys pushing himself out of his comfort zone and investing time in his health and wellness. James's objective is to lead a life of principled conduct and genuineness, exemplifying his finest qualities for the people he cherishes, as well as those who may lack the means or know-how to safeguard or look after themselves. Through this approach, he aims to radiate the teachings of Christ.Some of Geraldine’s hobbies include spending time with her children and traveling.

Luis Castro
Media & Technology Specialist

Luis Castro
Media & Technology Specialist
Victoria Chile Born, Luis C has applied himself to an entrepreneur status due to the several Companies that he owns (Afuego Fridays, The Mixkings, Innovativemad, Onfire Productions), and as an organization, we can utilize.
- Email:luis@latinosinaction.org

Flor Ruelas
Administrative Assistant

Flor Ruelas
Administrative Assistant
During her last semester of college she started teaching Latinos in Action at Orem High School, something she enjoyed doing and a program she loved. She then started teaching Spanish and continued to teach Latinos in Action at West Jordan Middle for 2 more years, where service to the community and student’s lives were changed. Flor loved to help her community and had that vision since she was in LIA as a student and having the opportunity to be that role model to so many students after overcoming so many barriers herself, it was a great accomplishment for her. Flor knows how important these types of programs are for our Latino students and has always been really excited to be part of a program that touches a students life and changes their future.
After her second baby, Flor stepped away from the classroom to spend time as a mom. She missed the interaction with students that Flor continued to work at a school as a teacher assistant and as a registrar to continue helping her Latino community in any way possible. She always has loved to translate and help in parent teacher conferences especially to help our non-English speaking parents. She is married and has two kids who she loves to volunteer when she is able at their school and loves to spend time with. Flor loves to dance, travel and eat “good Mexican food”.
- Email:flor@latinosinaction.org

Ciara West
Administrative Assistant

Ciara West
Administrative Assistant

Jhonatan Castillo
Web Master/Graphic Designer

Jhonatan Castillo
Web Master/Graphic Designer
I like to always challenge myself and stay on top of different trends and markets thus I choose a variety of areas to work on, the crossover between design and programming has always been of interest to me I have been lucky enough to work alongside some talented teams on a number of high profile websites.
- Email:yeko@latinosinaction.org