HOPE Regional Leadership Institute - San Diego

Dr. Cristina Aguirre is the Chief Programs officer at Barrio Logan College Institue (BLCI). She has been working at BLCI for nine years but has been working in college access programs for the last 24 years. She was born in Ramona, CA and moved to Fresno, CA at age six. Cristina is the 3rd eldest of seven siblings. As a child of immigrants and field workers, Cristina understood the importance of an education at an early age. Cristina spent many summers picking grapes in the fields and remembers her father telling her that if she didn’t get an education, working in the fields is where she would end up. She is the first one in her family to graduate high school and go to college. She is an alumna of the first cohort of the University of California San Diego’s (UCSD) TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program, a program that provided the support for Cristina to stay in and graduate from UCSD. Cristina first began her work with the college acess programs known as TRIO Upward Bound programs; 4 years at San Diego State University and 11 years at the University of San Diego. (Upward Bound works with low-income first generation to college students to prepare them to be admitted into and graduate from college just like BLCI.) Working with TRIO programs, Cristina found her passion in working with educational equity access programs. As the first one in her family to graduate from college, she understood the need and importance of advocating for those students most underserved. She is an active member of and served a 2 term Presidency of the Western Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel (WESTOP). WESTOP is one of ten regional associations dedicated to furthering educational opportunities for low-income, first-generation and disabled students. Cristina yearly marches the halls in Washington DC to advocate for the students and communities she serves. She along with her colleagues meet with their congressional representatives to request increased funding for college access programs like TRIO. Most recently Cristina obtained her Doctarate degree from CSU Fresno state, something she never thought she could do but realized the importance of being part of this space. When Cristina is not working she enjoys cooking, running and spending time with family and friends.

Bianca Alvarado is the Director of the San Diego STEM Pathways Initiative at Digital Promise, a role she recently stepped into with a commitment to spearhead a collaborative effort to ensure equitable access to STEM education and career pathways in San Diego County.Bianca is an educator with 9+ years of experience in innovative program design and management, online curriculum development, and educational technology. She is a community leader with more than eight years of experience engaging in projects related to community development, STEM, and workforce development. She has recently taken on the Design-to-Action Network Co-Chair for Science & Technology role at the World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024. In this capacity, she leads a community group that fosters collaboration and communication to accelerate binational projects in Science and Technology, presenting these advancements as part of the WDC 2024 programming. By fostering principles of responsible innovation, Bianca promotes technological and design advancements that are ethical and inclusive and aim for positive social impacts.She is widely recognized as a trusted collaborator across various sectors. Her unwavering dedication to fostering innovative program design sets her apart.

Kimberly Barrueta is a first-generation Latina college student born and raised in San Diego County. She is a proud alumnus of MiraCosta College, where she earned her associate’s degree in Chicano/a Students, and she is currently an honors student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), majoring in Labor Studies with a minor in Community Engagement and Social Change. At UCLA, she has been actively involved in the Latinx Transfer community as a student liaison with the Hispanic Serving Institution Initiative, a peer advisor for the UCLA Center for Community College Partnerships, and a UCLA Latinx Transfer Day Committee member. She is also a volunteer and mentor through the UCLA Transfer Student Center. She advocates for transfer students statewide through Transfer Lobby Day and the Assembly Bill 928 Implementation Committee. She aspires to earn her PhD in Higher Education to work in the community college sector to create a transfer-sending culture.

Dr. Diana Cornejo-Sanchez is a first-generation college graduate, bilingual daughter of immigrants. Diana currently serves as the Interim CEO of HTH, a progressive charter school network. Her passion for equity in education, strong relationships with educators, and commitment to liberatory project based learning (PBL) landed her the role. She previously served as the Director of Instructional Leadership and Development, where she worked alongside leadership to ensure deeper learning experiences for all students. Prior to this role she had the opportunity to influence teacher preparation as the Director of the Teacher Center, where she contributed to designing a program to develop culturally responsive educators. She also influenced California education policy on requirements for teacher credential programs. Her passion for supporting educators came from her role as a principal where she transformed a school to pbl. Her experience at the Jacob’s Institute for Innovation in Education, where she supported large urban school districts in strategic thinking to address systemic change to provide students with active learning experiences helped with the transformation. While Diana has held multiple roles throughout her educational career, she still strongly identifies as a teacher. The relationships she built with students and their families, and the opportunity she had to mentor teachers for over a decade, still holds a special place in her heart. Diana holds a Doctorate of Education with a focus on Educational Leadership from San Diego State University. When Diana is not collaborating and designing with educators, she is cheering on her twins, Amélie and Diego. Seeing them learn through exploration is where she finds great joy and hopes every student can do the same.

Rocio Noemi Duenas is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience in behavioral health, public safety, and advocacy for underserved communities. Currently serving as the Community Programs Director at the Pacific Safety Center, Noemi oversees programs that improve child passenger safety, mental health awareness, and injury prevention for low-income and diverse families. Under her leadership, the center has secured over $4 million in funding, expanded outreach to non-English-speaking communities, and enhanced access to critical health and safety resources.Previously, Noemi worked as a Community Health Program Coordinator at Rady Children’s Hospital, where she provided trauma-informed health education and counseling to at-risk youth in juvenile detention centers. Her work there underscored the vital connection between public safety and mental health, driving her to pursue a master’s degree in counseling psychology.As a member of the Advisory Group at the Office of Binational Border Health, Noemi influences public health policy and advocates for equitable health outcomes in border communities. She is also deeply involved in volunteer work, mentoring Latina women through MANA de San Diego. Noemi is passionate about empowering others and addressing systemic inequities through advocacy, education, and leadership.

Elba Gomez joined the Port as the Vice President of Administration/Chief Administrative Officer in May 2022. Elba leads the DEI, IT, IS, People Services (HR) and Safety departments and provides advice and counsel to the Port Commissioners, President/CEO and all levels of management.

Martha Guzman is a dedicated public health professional with over 15 years of experience in public health, community planning, and program evaluation. Holding a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, Martha has built a successful career within the County of San Diego, where she has led numerous high-profile projects focused on improving the health and well-being of vulnerable, underrepresented communities. Currently serving as an Analyst with the County’s Behavioral Health Services, Martha’s expertise includes strategic planning, operational planning, and data analysis and reporting. She has a proven track record in managing complex projects and initiatives, including her recent role in helping the public health department achieve national re-accreditation by the Public Health Accreditation Board. Martha’s exceptional leadership, organizational skills, and attention to detail were instrumental in the success of this significant milestones. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Martha is deeply committed to social justice, health equity, and civic engagement. She has volunteered as a Mentor for MANA de San Diego’s Hermanitas Mentoring Program, empowering Latina youth to overcome barriers and pursue higher education and leadership opportunities. Martha’s unwavering passion for advancing the rights of Latinas and underserved communities fuels her ongoing advocacy and community involvement.

Mayra served as a Field Representative for the 80th Assembly District, where she focused on legislative strategy, policy analysis, and community outreach. In this role, she built strong relationships with community leaders and stakeholders, she represented the Assembly Member at public events, and conducted policy research on local issues. She has transitioned from her role as a Field Representative to pursue new opportunities in the nonprofit sector, where she can apply the knowledge and skills gained from her master’s program in Leadership and Nonprofit Management. Prior to this, she worked as a Program Coordinator at Esperanza International, overseeing volunteer coordination for binational housing projects and managing community mobilization efforts in underserved areas of Tijuana, Mexico. She also served as a Community Engagement Coordinator for the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, where she advocated for budget initiatives and mobilized over 100 organizations to strengthen the park’s cultural ecosystem. Additionally, she has extensive experience in nonprofit management from her time at the University of California, Riverside, where she coordinated a mentorship program and led community engagement efforts. Throughout the 2020 election cycle, she worked as a Campaign Specialist, collaborating with labor unions and local organizations to promote Democratic candidates, contributing to the successful election of six out of eight endorsed candidates. Her work with city councils has further solidified her commitment to civic leadership and public service, advocating for community concerns and promoting legislative change. She holds a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Nonprofit Management from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from UC Riverside.

Stephanie Hernandez is an energetic leader dedicated to advancing and uplifting diverse communities as the Community Engagement Manager for the County of San Diego’s Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement. In her role, she excels at building strong connections with historically marginalized populations and collaborating with community-based organizations to educate workers about their rights in the workplace. Stephanie’s deep-rooted passion for social justice stems from her experiences growing up in Southeast San Diego. The challenges faced by her working-class immigrant family instilled in her a strong commitment to advocating for equity and justice. Stephanie started her career in 2017 as a community advocate, addressing issues related to public safety, transportation, and housing. Stephanie is also a community leader, serving on the City of San Diego Mobility Board, 23-24 President of the City Heights Rotaract Club, a graduate of the San Diego Regional Chambers of Commerce LEAD Impact program and MANA de San Diego Latina Success Leadership program. In 2023, Stephanie received the County’s prestigious Heart of Service award, recognizing her outstanding support of asylum seekers during the US-Mexico border humanitarian crisis. Stephanie was also highlighted in 2024 by San Diego State University as an alumna empowering change through advocacy and service.

Adriana is a community engagement expert dedicated to creating social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has a background of 7 years working in Higher Education offering support to students from various backgrounds, including first-generation students and international students. Based in San Diego, she is responsible for leading community engagement and tribal relations within Southern California and Las Vegas. Adriana thrives in environments where she can channel her creativity and leadership skills to achieve success for various stakeholders. Beyond her professional pursuits, she is an active member of her community, volunteering as a mentor for the Hermanitas Youth Mentorship Program with MANA de San Diego and advocating for Latinas as a member of the Advocacy Committee.

Paola is currently a Senior Program Manager at Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, where she started during 2021. There she oversees staff and ensures they are well equipped to carry out activities and tasks. Additionally, she trains Community Health Workers/Promotores/Representatives (CHWPR) to engage with the community, including Latine, migrant workers, Meso American indigenous, seniors, first generation college students, and more. Previously, she was at Vista Community Clinic, an Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) community clinic. There she was involved with the Health Promotions Center under the Migrant Health Department. She met with key stakeholders and involved the CHWPR’s in order for the to be civically engaged and promote health via policy change. One of the projects Paola succeeded on was “Healthy Cities, Healthy Residents”, promoting civic engagement and health.Before VCC, she was a volunteer intern at another FQHC center, TruCare formerly NCHS. She found ways to create trust between agricultural workers and essential resources, including county departments that coordinated emergency responses. She was able to facilitate how to reach agricultural workers who live at the margins of San Diego county where there is little to no signal and no public transportation.

With over a decade of experience supporting first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students, Yanet Lopez is deeply committed to demystifying systems and serving as a cultural broker, encouraging belonging, and equipping individuals with the skills needed to thrive. Currently, as the Community Engagement Manager at the Fleet Science Center, Yanet leverages her relationship-building skills and knowledge of effective community programming to form partnerships, broaden authentic participation and cultivate STEM identity within high-potential yet underserved communities in National City, Barrio Logan, San Ysidro, and Southeastern San Diego. She is a proud champion of this work and is presently involved in two significant efforts including the Office of Naval Research’s Full STEAM Ahead effort involving community partners to better serve the National City community with STEM learning and Arizona State University’s Engaging Hispanic Communities effort funded by NASA TEAM II. Additionally, Yanet brings a wealth of knowledge from federally funded, privately funded, and state-funded grant programs in San Diego and the San Fernando Valley, the northeastern portion of Los Angeles County. In addition to their community engagement role, she contributes to development efforts through grant writing and grant proposal design. Yanet is a proud alumna of the Latina Success Leadership Program with MANA de San Diego.

Denise Márquez is a dedicated public health advocate with over six years of experience in community engagement, project management, and qualitative research. As a first-generation Latina and the first woman in her family to earn a college degree, she draws on her lived experiences to fuel her commitment to advancing health equity and social justice, particularly for immigrant women and children. Denise holds a Master of Public Health from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Chicana/o Studies from UCLA. Currently, Denise serves as an Administrative Analyst II at the County of San Diego’s Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities, where she uses data-driven projects to inform departmental changes and coordinates grants to support underserved communities. Her leadership was pivotal in shaping the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, where she created Spanish-language materials and strategies to ensure immigrant voices were included in public health initiatives. Denise also works as a Clinical Research Coordinator, promoting culturally tailored interventions to improve vaccination uptake in Latino communities through MiVacunaLA. She leverages her research and volunteer experiences to create accessible vaccine education infographics for immigrant families. Her passion extends to volunteer work, coordinating shelter services for asylum-seeking women and children in San Diego and supporting immigrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border with humanitarian aid.

Monica Martinez, born in Chula Vista and raised in Tijuana, brings a unique binational perspective to her work in the nonprofit sector. She is currently the Director of Development at Emilio Nares Foundation, where she plays a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission to support children with cancer and their families. Prior to this, Monica served as Managing Director at North County Philanthropy Council, where she strengthened partnerships and fostered a philanthropic community. She also held the position of Director of Operations at the Chicano Federation, advocating for underserved communities. Before transitioning to the nonprofit world, Monica spent 14 years at Wells Fargo Bank, gaining extensive experience in finance and operations. Monica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and an Associate degree in Business Administration. She further honed her expertise with a Nonprofit Management Certificate from the University of San Diego’s Nonprofit Institute. Her core values—collaboration, empathy, and genuine connection—guide her work and leadership style. Monica’s strengths include being an achiever, excelling in communication, empathy, and having a futuristic vision, all of which contribute to her impactful career in nonprofit development and leadership.

Myriam Mendoza joined the San Diego Regional Chamber in March 2024, currently serving as the International Business Affairs Coordinator. In this role, she leads, plans, and implements quarterly International Business Affairs Forums, assists with public and private sector outreach in the U.S. and Mexico, and supports the Chamber’s annual delegation trips to Washington D.C., Mexico City, and Sacramento intended to promote cross-border business matchmaking and advocacy. Myriam helps drive the Chamber’s international business affairs agenda working to advance business, political, and cultural relationships across the bilateral business community.Prior to joining the Chamber, Myriam was a District Representative for State Senator Steve Padilla where she served as the Binational Affairs Lead building relationships between the public and private sector in the Senator’s district. She also led immigration efforts across the California-Mexico border upon the lift of Title 42 and the transition to a pre-pandemic triage model.Myriam earned her BA in Political Science from Point Loma Nazarene University and her AA in Political Science from San Diego Mesa College.

As Senior Manager, Education Initiatives, Cecilia assists with mobilizing philanthropy to advance educational equity in San Diego County. Cecilia is responsible for supporting the implementation of the suite of education equity strategies that improve educational outcomes in K – 16 so students are prepared for college and career success. Cecilia draws on her considerable knowledge of the local K – 12, post-secondary and community-based educational landscape to support strategic regional efforts towards better educational outcomes for San Diego County students.Prior to joining the Foundation, Cecilia supported University of California, San Diego’s Campus Initiatives development officers where she successfully engaged with UC San Diego alumni, The Preuss School alumni, donors and institutional leadership. In this role, Cecilia supported the efforts in raising over $600,000 as part of a $2 billion campaign for UC San Diego. As a Graduate Assistant, Cecilia worked with The Office of Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Affairs at San Diego State University supporting the outreach and recruitment efforts of prospective first-generation students. Prior to this, Cecilia was the Program Coordinator at Converse International School of Languages and was responsible for managing the execution of four residential summer English camps at Yale University, Georgetown University, Loyola Marymount and the University of San Diego for international youth. In addition, Cecilia has worked with federal TRIO programs supporting five different school districts in San Diego County to increase college access for students who are furthest from opportunity.Cecilia is a member of UC San Diego’s Chicanx/Latinx Alumni Council. She earned her bachelor’s degrees at UC San Diego in Ethnic Studies and Sociology, as well as a master’s degree in Postsecondary Educational Leadership from San Diego State University. Cecilia is a proud San Diego native, born and raised in Barrio Logan and Southeast San Diego.

Born in Texas, and raised in San Diego, CA, Luz identifies as Chicana and a proud single mother since the age of 17, raising a son with a disability. Luz is a close ally to the LGBTQIA+ community and as an only child, grew up with “chosen sisters” who are of different racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. Earning her MA degree in Human Resource Management has given Luz the tools to apply research-based best practices for improved team engagement and business outcomes. Founder and CEO of Aurora Consulting Services, Luz has achieved a successful career as an HR and DEI Professional over the past 25+ years. Luz currently supports UC San Diego team as an Employment Relations Specialist and is a certified trainer for the National Conflict Resolution Center. As a former Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles member from 2017 to 2023, Luz has contributed to building the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as the Director of DEI. She has also held the HR Manager role for organizations such as San Ysidro Health Center, Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, and Chicano Federation of San Diego County.

Barbara Orozco-Valdivia is the Vice President of Programs and Community Partnerships at Alliance Healthcare Foundation in San Diego. In her role, she oversees the foundation’s programs to include grants, community partnerships, external relations and special projects. With over 25 years in managed healthcare and corporate social responsibility, she led successful teams and projects at Blue Shield of California, Health Net of California and Community Health Group. Her roles encompassed health care policy advocacy, community relations, government affairs, health equity initiatives and coalition building. Barbara prides herself in giving back to her community as a current City of Chula Vista commissioner in the Health, Wellness and Aging Commission, San Diego State University School of Public Health Alumni chair, Promises2Kids CEO Advisory Council, and served as an advisory panel member of the DHCS Advisory Council for Medi-Cal Families & Children, board member of the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA, MANA de San Diego, Latina Geeks, Rady’s Children’s Hospital, and was the founder of a local coalition, the SD Community Partners for Wellness Forum that lasted 17 years. In addition, she was a co-founder of a statewide healthcare advocates conference, the California Statewide Conference for Healthcare Advocates.

Most recently, she worked at National University, where she dedicated her efforts to supporting students and families in their educational journeys. With a decade of experience in the education system, she has developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by first-generation college students. Inspired by her own journey as a first-generation college graduate from New Jersey, she left her hometown at 18 to pursue a degree in International Business, motivated by a desire to foster understanding among diverse communities. She has been a passionate advocate for kindness and mentorship throughout her career. She believes education is a powerful tool for transformation and strives to create inclusive environments where all students can thrive. Her commitment to community support is evident in her initiatives to provide resources and guidance to families navigating the educational landscape. With a warm and approachable demeanor, she has made a lasting impact on those she mentors, encouraging them to embrace their unique paths and achieve their dreams. Through her work, she continues to inspire and uplift others, championing the importance of education as a means of empowerment and connection.

Anaissa Paúl is a dedicated education professional with over five years of experience in education, student services, and family engagement. Currently serving as the Regional Assistant Director of Admission at Whittier College, Anaissa leads recruitment efforts across multiple regions, fosters relationships with high school stakeholders, and guides prospective students through the admissions process.Prior to her current role, Anaissa worked as a School Counselor at Lindo Park Elementary School. In this position, she developed and implemented social-emotional learning programs, managed records, and facilitated restorative justice groups to support student well-being.While working towards her master’s degree, Anaissa served as a Counseling Intern for the Sweetwater Union High School District, where she assisted students with college applications and financial aid, organized college readiness events, and supported students mental, emotional and professional development.Anaissa’s career also includes significant roles as a substitute teacher across various school districts and as an assistant coach for Francis Parker’s water polo teams. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling & Guidance from Point Loma Nazarene University and a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development and Spanish from Whittier College. Her diverse background underscores her commitment to fostering educational and personal growth among students.

Maria is the daughter of immigrant parents, a first-generation American, and the first in her family to graduate from college. Originally from San Diego, she grew up in El Cajon, located in East County. She attended Granite Hills High School before earning her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Merced. She later obtained her Master of Arts in Education from San Diego State University. Maria recently joined Arizona State University’s team as a Site Director for ASU Local. In her four months with ASU, she developed and launched ASU Local’s newest co-located site in partnership with Southwestern Community College in Chula Vista, CA. She is currently managing all operational functions of the ASU Local program at SWC’s campus and has successfully enrolled an inaugural cohort of 10 first-generation college students pursuing their bachelor’s degrees from ASU. Maria has over 10 years of experience in higher education, working with students from K-12 through community colleges and four-year universities. She is committed to reducing barriers for underrepresented minority and non-traditional students to access education and address systemic inequities in higher education. She is passionate about serving her community and is an active member of community-based organizations.

Diana Ross is the Executive Director at the Mid-City Community Advocacy Network (Mid-City CAN), a community collaborative of community members and their allies. Mid-City CAN builds community power and develops resident leadership to advocate for change. Under Diana’s leadership Mid-City CAN has executed successful campaigns to establish the first no-cost youth transit pass in San Diego, develop 2 skate parks, serve Halal school lunches, and a restorative justice alternative to juvenile incarceration. Diana is routinely cited by media, including but not limited to: KPBS, Univision, and Voice of San Diego. Diana has college honors and a bachelor’s degree from UCLA where she received the Riordan Fellowship at UCLA’s Andersen School of Management and a master’s degree from the University of San Diego. She was a Rotary Scholar in Cairo, Egypt. She is a San Diego native who speaks English, Arabic, and Spanish.

Sorayda Santos is an AVP, Project Manager at California at California Credit Union, a 5 billion financial institution with nearly 200,000 members across Southern California. In her role, Sorayda works in the Innovation Department, launching new technologies and platforms geared towards increasing efficiencies for employees and customer satisfaction. Sorayda serves on the employee-led Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and is an active participant in CCU’s Women Empowering Women Group. Sorayda earned her Doctorate in Leadership and Management from Drexel University and a Masters’s in Project Management, from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville. Sorayda is passionate about creating opportunities for Latina youth and is the Co-Chair of the Hermanitas Program at Mana de San Diego.

Maria is an accomplished supervising investigator with over 20 years of experience in the field of criminal investigations. Renowned for her expertise in leading complex cases, she excels in managing investigative teams and collaborating closely with defense attorneys to ensure comprehensive case preparation. In her current role, she supervises a dedicated team of investigators, providing mentorship and fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation. Committed to continuous professional development, she regularly participates in training seminars to stay current with emerging investigative techniques and legal standards. Maria is also a valued member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Panel to the Public Defender, where she advocates for equitable practices from adding nursing room for new mothers to hiring, retention and promotion of diverse individuals as well as enhanced representation within the legal system. Maria is a dedicated employee consistently driven to assist others outside of work as well. For instance, Maria is involved with the San Diego County Latino Association, where she also served as vice president. In that role, Maria strived to empower individuals, foster collaboration, and create opportunities that uplifted their diverse community. Maria is also passionate about civic engagement and the electoral process and has served as a poll worker and precinct inspector for San Diego County Registrar of Voters Office for many years. She particularly enjoyed the opportunity to engage with the community, helping to educate voters about their rights and addressing any questions or concerns. Additionally, Maria offered her home to the Registrar of Voters as a polling site to ensure community members had access to neighborhood voting centers. Maria is a public servant, both in her work and outside of work, where justice is not only pursued in the courtroom but also actively supported and advocated for by an engaged citizen.

Azahalia, driven by her own experience growing up in San Ysidro and seeing the need for free educational resources, pursued a career in education. As an firm believer of education for all and equity, she first gained skills through free Regional Occupational Program courses, allowing her to work while studying at a university and ultimately becoming a teacher assistant. Now managing educational programs at San Diego Futures Foundation, she bridges civic divide through free trainings. A passionate advocate for underrepresented populations, Azahalia volunteers extensively to uplift her community, from mentoring to board positions in organizations like Integrity Charter School and MANA de SanDiego. Her expertise lies in networking and mentoring, aiming for a future nonprofit blending art, culture, and resources to enhance workforce skills and community resiliency. Azahalia graduated from SDSU and USC and has taken leadership courses through MANA de San Diego and the Chicano Federation.