Binational Fellowship 2025 Cohort

Alexa Patricia Calderón Rodríguez is an international affairs professional with over eight years of experience in government relations, public relations, and external affairs. She has been with the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico since 2018 and currently serves as Public Affairs National Manager since 2022, fostering connections between the public and private sectors, business organizations, NGOs, and academia. Her expertise lies in negotiation, lobbying, policy analysis, and organizing high-level events and meetings. Her career includes key roles at the Canadian Embassy in Mexico and reputable organizations such as PwC.

Alexa holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Universidad Anáhuac and a Master’s in International Affairs from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID) in Geneva, Switzerland. Her areas of focus include USMCA, human rights, inclusion, sustainability, and global security.

Dr. Campos-Medina is a RTE Faculty & labor educator at ILR Cornell focusing on the intersection of race, immigration status and worker’s rights. She is the Executive Director of the Worker Institute at ILR Cornell University where she leads research, policy innovation & training to advance worker justice, collective bargaining rights and the interest of workers in today’s economy and society. She is a political scientist & expert on workplace and labor issues, women rights, voting rights, immigrant worker justice and US trade relations. She holds a PhD from Rutgers and a BS and MPA from Cornell. She is a member of the Diverse Solidarity Economies (DISE), a collective of Black and Brown Feminist Scholars focused on research that decolonizes and diversifies the field of political economy. She is a Visiting Fellow at the Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University-New Brunswick and a board member of the Network Action Foundation, supporting innovation in union organizing for workers in the gig and low wage economy. Prior to joining academia, she held top leadership roles in national and local labor unions such as SEIU, UNITERE, Workers United (formerly UNITE) & LCLAA-AFL-CIO. Dr. Campos-Medina is a former candidate for the US Senate in NJ (2024). She is recognized as an influential labor and political leader by publications in the NYC (New York City) metro area. She is the President of Latina Civic and a board member of PODER PAC, two organizations advancing women political representation in state legislatures and in the US Congress.

Maria Fernanda Cardenas is a dedicated nonprofit leader and community advocate based in San Antonio, Texas. She has devoted her career to improving the lives of underserved populations, especially older adults. She currently serves as Executive Director of The Gonzaba Foundation for Healthier Communities, a nonprofit focused on enhancing the well-being of the elderly through accessible resources and support. Fernanda previously spent nearly a decade at UnitedHealthcare, leading efforts to reduce health disparities among vulnerable populations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, a Master of Public Administration, and a Master of Political Science from St. Mary’s University, equipping her with a strong foundation in policy, public service, and strategic engagement. Her civic involvement includes serving on the boards of South Texas Adult Protective Services, Texas Grandparents Raising Grandkids, and Meals on Wheels – San Antonio. She is also a member of the City and County Joint Commission on Elderly Affairs, the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women, and the San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees. Outside of work, Fernanda enjoys traveling, live music, exploring local cuisine, and movie nights with her husband and their two sons.

Charlotte Castillo is a seasoned and dynamic brand builder, strategist and hands-on collaborative leader with over 20 years’ experience in media, advocating for and marketing to the Latinx community and building fearless, innovative, and inclusive global teams.Currently serving as Managing Director for Poderistas®, the fastest growing and influential digital community for Latinas in the US, Charlotte was hand-picked by the founders to launch and ultimately lead the breakthrough organization that leverages modern media platforms and in-culture content to harness Latina power and drive civic engagement and participation. As Managing Director, Castillo oversees all areas of the 501(c)(3) organization including operations, strategy, programming and brand, fundraising, and partnership development. Before Poderistas, Charlotte was an award-winning senior executive at ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global) for 14+ years and prior to that the founding Head of Marketing of Latina Magazine, the breakthrough first print publication for the bicultural Latina.Charlotte serves on multiple boards including The 19th, Yspaniola and United Palace Theatre of NYC. Charlotte is a radical optimist, daughter of Dominican immigrants, first-generation college graduate, born and raised in NYC who currently resides in The Bronx with her 15-year-old son.

State Senator Cristina Castro was born and raised in Elgin and is a lifelong resident of the 22nd Senate District. A second-generation Mexican American, Castro was the first Latina elected to the Illinois State Senate to serve a suburban district. Castro’s parents – who both quit school when they were young to work and contribute to their families and continued working factory jobs after they moved to Elgin – instilled in her a work ethic that has earned her a reputation as a tenacious advocate for working people. After attending Larkin High School, Castro received an associate’s degree from Elgin Community College and became the first in her family to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northern Illinois University. She served eight years on the Kane County Board as well as on the board of directors for the Illinois Housing Development Authority, Black History Family Festival and Centro de Información. Castro currently serves as the Majority Caucus Whip for the 104th General Assembly and as chair of the Senate Executive Committee. She holds leadership positions within numerous national organizations dedicated to excellence in state government leadership, including the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO).

Nilbia Coyote is the Executive Director of New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE), a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring, organizing, and empowering immigrant workers through a robust combination of workforce development and critical life skills development.

An immigrant from Mexico, Nilbia is a seasoned advocate, community builder, and organizer with over 20 years of experience in public service. Her passion is grounded in a deep commitment to immigrant justice and economic empowerment. Under her leadership, the organization offers a Pre-Apprenticeship for Life and Work, designed to uplift immigrant workers entering and succeeding in the labor market through building personal and professional skills. The goal is to ensure long-term inclusion that goes far beyond initial resettlement—fostering community, dignity, and empowerment every step of the way.

Nilbia’s prior experience includes roles at Qualitas of Life, where she promoted financial education for immigrants, and at the Consulate General of Mexico in New York City, where she coordinated community organizing efforts to strengthen civic engagement among Mexican immigrants.
Throughout her career, Nilbia has focused on recognizing the humanity of immigrant workers, helping them organize for justice, and equipping them with the tools to become self-sufficient and active contributors to their communities.

Marina Filippelli is the CEO of Orci, a leading independent, minority-owned creative agency specializing in multicultural marketing. With over two decades of experience, she has led award-winning campaigns for iconic brands including Honda, Acura, Dole, Farmers Insurance, Chevron, Stella Artois, and more—helping them build authentic, culturally fluent connections with diverse audiences across the U.S. and Latin America.

Born in Argentina and raised between Mexico City and Los Angeles, Marina brings a deep, lived understanding of bicultural identity to her work. She began her career at Orci while in college and has since held leadership roles at top agencies like Zubi Advertising, Conexión, and Heat. In 2020, she returned to Orci, where she champions marketing that matters—work rooted in representation, intersectionality, and respect for cultural nuance.

Marina currently serves on the boards of the Hispanic Marketing Council and PS ARTS, helping drive progress in both industry representation and arts education. She’s also a member of the National Advertising Review Board and an active mentor, committed to nurturing the next generation of diverse talent in advertising. As a Latina executive and mother, Marina advocates for workplace empathy, inclusion, and authentic storytelling. Her leadership continues to influence how brands engage meaningfully with today’s multicultural America.

Brenda is the Public Policy Leader Partner for SLATAM at Deloitte, with over 20 years of experience in legislative affairs, including work with both chambers of Mexico`s Congress.

She holds a degree in Economics from UNAM, where she received the Gabino Barreda Medal fo academic excellence. She also earned a Master`s in Public Policy from ITAM and a Ph. D. in Public Policy from ITESM. Brenda was a visiting researcher at the Harvard Kennedy school and has completed studies in taxation (ITAM) and negotiation (Harvard University).

A recognized expert in the working of the Mexican Congress, she is registered lobbyist. She has taught economics and regularly engages with leading business chambers in Mexico.
Brenda currently serves as Chair of the Public Affairs Task Force at the American Society of Mexico and is committed to using her leadership and expertise to advance women`s empowerment in public and corporate spaces.

Elizabeth de León Bhargava has been an executive in the public sector for more than 20 years. Most recently, Elizabeth was the Assistant Secretary for Administration (Senate Confirmed Presidential Appointee) at the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).

Prior to joining HUD, Elizabeth served as New York State Deputy Secretary for Labor & Workforce, the first Latina to hold this position, she was responsible for labor and workforce policy and operations, impacting more than 9.6 million working Americans. Elizabeth managed a portfolio of agencies operating with total budgets of over $5 billion and more than 5,000 employees with the responsibility of regulating public- and private-sector labor and workforce matters. Her leadership enabled the growth of a diverse, inclusive, and talented workforce, including more than 170,000 State workers. In addition, Elizabeth led the optimization of multibillion-dollar safety net systems that help businesses stay productive and provide critical benefits to workers. Notably, she was integral in securing New York’s historic minimum hourly wage increase to $15, lifting the earnings of about a quarter of the state’s total workforce and resulting in $15.7 billion of direct economic gains. Elizabeth also led the establishment of New York’s Paid Family Leave program.

Previously, as a senior advisor to the Speaker of the New York City Council, Elizabeth directed activities of the Council, including a team of more than 300 and a budget in excess of $55 million. As Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services, she supervised the largest business improvement district network in the country, with annual investment of more than $100 million. Prior to that, on behalf of the New York State Office of the Attorney General, Elizabeth led investigations and prosecutions ensuring the preservation of civil rights and affordable housing, protecting survivors of human trafficking, and supporting communities impacted by immigration fraud. A graduate of Binghamton University and the Buffalo University School of Law, Elizabeth resides in New York City with her husband.

Lía is a lawyer from Universidad Iberoamericana and holds a Master’s degree in Law and International Relations from Tufts University – The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Massachusetts, USA. She has completed additional studies in U.S. politics at UC San Diego, political analysis at CIDE in Mexico City, and earned a certification in Positive Psychology from the Instituto de Bienestar Integral, as well as an online course in Evidence for Decision-Making from Harvard PLC.

With over 25 years of experience in public service, she has held key leadership positions including Undersecretary for Human Rights at the Ministry of the Interior and General Director of Social Policies at the Ministry of Social Development, where she launched the National Childcare Centers Program in 2007—Mexico’s leading public childcare initiative. She has also served as a federal and local legislator.

In 2021, she was elected Mayor of Álvaro Obregón, one of Mexico City’s most populous districts. Her administration focused on enhancing public safety and services, restoring public spaces, revitalizing the local economy, and advancing gender equity through women’s empowerment and protection policies. She was ranked the top mayor in Mexico City and among the best in the country, according to Consulta Mitofsky.

Currently, she serves as the National Secretary for Civil Society Engagement within the National Action Party (PAN), where she fosters alliances and collaboration with key leaders and organizations in civil society. She is also a board member of the National Council for Strategic Litigation and a former columnist for El Universal, one of Mexico’s leading newspapers.

Veronica Ortiz Cisneros, currently based in Mexico City, has a solid and diverse 25-year career with a strong foundation and expertise in communications, culture, urban mobility, and sustainability. As the Global Communications Director at the Institute of Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), she plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable and equitable transportation systems worldwide. Her work directly contributes to improving people’s quality of life, fostering economic growth, and creating prosperous cities. With a rich academic background that includes a degree in communications from the Mexican Government, a degree in Theatre and Acting from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (CUT-UNAM), and a specialization in Crisis Communications from ITESO, Veronica combines creative and strategic expertise.

Veronica has successfully led various cultural, art, and urban mobility campaigns. Her career highlights include being part of the founding team of the International Contemporary Film Festival in Mexico City, serving as the Communications and Programming Director of Cineteca Nacional de México (the National Film Archive) during its major renovation from 2009 to 2013, and working as a communications and development consultant at Hester Street is a former New York-based non-profit specializing in urban planning, design, and community development. Veronica’s commitment to social causes is also evident in her involvement with the Ya es Hora movement, which helped establish harassment prevention protocols in the Mexican film industry in 2019. Her professional and personal focus has primarily been on initiatives that represent a positive transformation in the quality of life of urban communities.

Denise Hernandez is the founder of The Eatery Culinary Group and MPRESSED Commercial Laundry Service, and a corporate advisor to True Flavors Catering. With over 25 years of experience in the food and retail industry, she has led innovative ventures in corporate dining, catering, and hospitality services.

In 2022, Denise launched The Eatery Culinary Group, a women- and minority-owned business operating in high-profile locations such as the San Antonio Water System, SAISD, UTSA School of Data Science, University Health, and Baylor University. That same year, she founded MPRESSED Commercial Laundry Service, serving commercial clients across the catering and hospitality sectors.

Denise is deeply dedicated to uplifting her community, demonstrated through her active involvement in various leadership roles. She served on the Board of Directors for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, assuming the esteemed position of 2022 Board Chair. In 2023, she was honored with an appointment to the Board of Directors for the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Community Bible Church, is a Board Member for the San Antonio Hotel and Lodging Association and is a Board Advisor to Mission Heritage Partners.

Korina Sanchez is a licensed attorney and businesswoman. Korina’s entrepreneurial drive has led her to head multiple successful ventures. Korina is the Managing Partner and General Counsel of Third Coast Hospitality, a Chicago-based restaurant group that operates restaurants, bars and entertainment venues in Chicago.

In 2024, Korina launched Grito 916, LLC, an entertainment company that produced the first, in over 10 years, “El Grito” festival in downtown Chicago, serving as an annual celebration of Mexican Independence Day, Mexican history, culture, music, and gastronomy for tens of thousands of Chicagoans. Korina is also a co-founder and the Chief Legal Officer of Solx, a minority-owned renewable energy company founded in 2023, building a state-of-the-art 1.2-gigawatt solar panel assembly facility in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Korina has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois. Korina served on the board of the Hispanic Lawyer’s Association of Illinois from 2017 to 2020 and is the president of Latinos Progresando, a non-profit organization that provides immigration legal services and information and resources to the surrounding community. In 2022, she was appointed to the board of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Korina has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois. Korina served on the board of the Hispanic Lawyer’s Association of Illinois from 2017 to 2020 and is the president of Latinos Progresando, a non-profit organization that provides immigration legal services and information and resources to the surrounding community. In 2022, she was appointed to the board of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Stephanie Syner has worked in the Community and Government sector for over 20 years. A dedicated professional with a passion for community engagement and health advocacy, she has spent her career working at the intersection of local and federal government, where she strives to enhance the quality of life for individuals and communities. Stephanie’s journey has equipped her with skills in strategic planning, program management, and relationship-building, all aimed at creating meaningful change. Currently, serves as the Government and Community Relations Manager at Denver Health Hospital, where she leads initiatives focused on supporting under-resourced communities, particularly BIPOC populations. She take pride in my ability to foster strong relationships with elected officials, community organizations, and local businesses, all of which are essential to advancing our mission.

Stephanie earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of South Florida and Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Denver. She has completed Latino Leadership Institute and Downtown Denver Leadership Academy. Stephanie proudly sits on the board of Stout Street Foundation, Playworks Colorado, and Denver County Cultural Council. Stephanie believes in the power of community and collaboration, and is always looking for ways to contribute positively to the world around me. She is a proud mom of two boys- Darius and James and of her shitzu Rosie.

Priscilla is an entrepreneur, investor and advisor to startup companies. She began her career working for various national law firms, ultimately supporting the emerging companies practice at McDermott Will & Emery. In 2012, she opened a chain of chiropractic clinics in San Diego.

In 2017, she collaborated with her husband to form Townshend Venture Advisors, LLP (TVA), an innovative advisory firm focused on the business and legal needs of high growth life science and technology startups. As TVA’s Chief of Operations, Priscilla supports life science companies like Beta Bionics, Companion Medical (acquired by Medtronic), Avails Medical, Luna Health, Cathera (acquired by Medtronic), Palmera, CytoAstra and the Silicon Valley incubator Alembic, tech startups like Chroma Labs (acquired by Twitter), Pipedream, Shaped, Supermoon and Shipshape, and innovative brands like Dandelion Chocolate.

Priscilla is a Managing Director of Manos Capital, a newly formed female-led venture capital fund focused on diverse founders in the US and LATAM. Priscilla is also Chief of Operations for the $80 million healthcare fund Ambix Ventures, Chief Operating Officer of the e-commerce startup Shop My Porch and the marketing tech company Spin The Ad, and a director of the Solar Reset Initiative. Priscilla represented the San Diego innovation economy in San Diego World Trade Center trade missions to the Netherlands, South Korea and Singapore. Priscilla has also made more than a dozen angel investments in healthcare and technology startups. Priscilla has a paralegal degree from UCLA and is finishing her business degree from Arizona State University.

Alejandra holds a BA in International Relations from the Tecnológico de Monterrey and diplomas in journalism, leadership, digital business, and management of business organizations.
As the Director of Institutional Communications at the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico (AmCham), she is responsible for external and internal communications, social media, marketing, and member-centric strategies. She also oversees the chamber’s events and services. During her seven years as part of the AmCham team, she has built up the department of communications at a national level.

Previously, she was a partner at Estrategias de Comunicación Online, a company dedicated to consulting in communications, branding, and digital presence. She collaborated with Ollin Jóvenes en Movimiento in the design of the National Youth Participation Index and was co-editor of the Mexican Institute of Finance Executives Magazine.
Alejandra is passionate about intercultural communication, writing, traveling, and language learning. She considers herself a multipotentialite – a curious person who has explored multiple fields and gets inspiration from diverse ideas and possibilities.

Her experiences abroad, including a student exchange in Bordeaux, France, and living in Basel, Switzerland, for three years, and her understanding of North America’s integration through her work at AmCham, have expanded her perspective on the value of diversity, empathy, and cooperation.
She is the mother of a ten-year-old girl and an advocate for the dignity of women.