2007 Workshop Presenters

Maria Marín
Maria Marin is considered one of the leading motivational trainers on the subject of “Personal Empowerment” and “The Art of Negotiation”. Her captivating presentations and compelling messages have earned this international acclaimed speaker many honors that identify her as one of the most powerful, charismatic and persuasive voices for self-improvement today. She hosts a national weekly radio show entitled Tu Vida es Mi Vida (Your Life is My Life) that was inspired by her nationally syndicated newspaper column Mujer Sin Límite (Woman Without Limits), her popular self-help book, Secrets of a Confident Woman. Her wealth of knowledge has led her to become the only Latina that teaches negotiation worldwide. Besides her work in the corporate world, Maria’s mission is to instill women with the self-confidence and the drive to succeed in every aspect of their lives. She also writes a monthly column for People Magazine en Español. She appears weekly in the TV program Despierta América as the motivational expert of the show. She is the honorary spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association Latino outreach program, “Por Tu Familia”, and named “Latina Woman of the Year 2006” by the National Latina Business Women Association. For more information about Maria Marin, please visit: www.MariaMarin.com.

Ltc. Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch (ret.)
Born and raised in Laredo, Texas, Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch overcame the challenges of poverty, discrimination and illiteracy to become a successful leadership role model for her community. Breaking barriers and setting records in the military, she became the highest-ranking Hispanic woman in the Combat Support Field of the U.S. Army. Consuelo founded Educational Achievement Services Inc. to realize her personal dream and mission of preparing tomorrow’s leaders today where her years of leadership experience, success techniques and motivational messages empower people of all ages in all environments. She produced the video entitled Porque No — Why Not? that provides practical techniques to leave the barrio, develop self-esteem and achieve personal success.  Her book, Journey to the Future, provides young people with a framework for early leadership development. She also consults extensively with corporations and government agencies to develop the leader­ship and peak performance of its employees. In 2002, Hispanic Magazine ub conjunction with the U.S. Army bestowed the Latina Leadership Excellence Award for Consuelo’s many accomplishments. The National Association of Women Business Owners bestowed their Entrepreneurial Spirit Award recognizing Consuelo’s mentoring spirit. Hispanic Business Magazine named her one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in America in 2005. She was NHLI’s 2005 National Mujer awardee. Her website is www.latinaspeaker.com.

Carol Evans
Carol Evans founded Working Mother Media by acquiring Working Mother magazine, Work Life Congress and the National Association for Female Executives with MCG Capital in 2001. She serves as chief executive officer and president. In 1986 she launched the Working Mother 100 Best Companies, which became the most important benchmark for women in corporate America. In December 2006 Evans acquired Diversity Best Practices and Best Practices in Corporate Communications making Working Mother Media the largest multimedia company in the country focused on diversity and the advancement of women. A graduate of Empire State College/SUNY, Evans serves as trustee of the March of Dimes, a board director of Magazine Publishers of America, Young Playwrights and Advertising Women of New York, where she is immediate past president. Evans has won numerous awards, including the Work-Life Legacy Award from the Families and Work Institute, the Highest Leaf Award from the Women’s Venture Fund, the YWCA Hall of Fame, Women of Vision Award from Women Work! and 21 Most Intriguing People by MIN magazine. Evans is a highly acclaimed keynote speaker on the subject of work-life balance, the advancement of women, barriers facing women of color and leadership. Carol is the author of the award winning book, This is How We Do It: The Working Mothers’ Manifesto.

Nicole Lauria
Nicole Lauria joined the Walt Disney World Cast in 1999, where she held the position of senior sales manager for Resort Sales, Parks and Services. In her role, she was instrumental in developing and growing the national diversity market for Walt Disney World Resort and the Washington, D.C. association market. In this role she worked with organizations to bring their conventions to the Walt Disney World Resort. In addition to her sales responsibilities, Nicole serves as a board member for Disney’s Local Diversity Action Team. Prior to joining Disney, Nicole served as manager at several retail companies. Nicole began her career with the hospitality industry in 1988. She held positions in operations and front office, as well as a variety of leadership positions, including manager, assistant director, and director of sales with several luxury hotels and resorts chains in Tampa, Florida, and Chicago. Throughout her career, Nicole received numerous awards, including Future Manager of the Year. Nicole is also a member of American Society for Training and Development and the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, where she serves as a mentor for the College Program. Nicole received her bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Warner Southern College, with a dual minor in human resources and marketing.

David Gonzalez
David is a Senior Associate with the Center for Creative Leadership’s Colorado Springs campus. He is responsible for delivery of CCL’s Developing the Strategic Leader, Leading High Performance Teams and custom Leadership at the Peak and Navigating Complex Challenges Programs. David has had the pleasure of working with several National Hispana Leadership Institute program recipients through his work in CCL’s Leadership Development Program. Prior to joining CCL, David was the Manager of External Programs and a part-time Faculty Member at The International Center for Studies in Creativity. In this role, he was responsible for packaging and delivering off-campus entrepreneurial activities and working as an English and Spanish language trainer, facilitator, and executive coach in the areas of organizational development and change management. David has published numerous articles and chapters on creativity and is the author of Behind the Curtain: Unveiling the Wizardry of Popular Creativity Methods as well as the self-development book Begin Within: You Are What You Think. He has also translated into Spanish Creativity Unbound: An Introduction to Creative Process along with A Different Kind of Smart: Applying Emotional Intelligence at Work. David holds a Master of Science in Creativity & Change Leadership and is currently in pursuit of his PhD in Performance Improvement. He is a former advertising executive having managed a variety of major accounts (Amoco, Bud Light, Coca-Cola, Pontiac) at the country’s largest Hispanic advertising agency, Bromley Communications in San Antonio, Texas.

Todd L. Pittinsky
Todd L. Pittinsky is an Associate Professor of Public Policy and a core faculty member of Harvard’s Center for Public Leadership. Pittinsky’s research lab focuses on the psychological science of leadership and the nature of allophilia (intergroup liking) in intergroup relations. He uses quantitative and qualitative research methods in the laboratory and the field. He earned his BA in psychology from Yale University, his MA in psychology from Harvard, and his PhD in organizational behavior from the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. In 2002 Pittinsky was selected to represent Harvard in the Young Faculty Leaders Forum, a working group of faculty members selected from America’s leading universities.

Amy Serrano
Filmmaker Amy Serrano recently shot, produced, wrote and directed the feature-length documentary film The Sugar Babies: The Plight of the Children of Agricultural Workers on the Sugar Industry of the Dominican Republic. Amy’s body of work includes directing and producing the PBS broadcast “A Woman’s Place: Voices of Contemporary Hispanic-American Women” featuring barrier breaking Hispanic women. Amy also produced the award-winning ¿Adios Patria? The Cuban Exodus. She executive produced the PBS broadcast and Emmy Award-nominated Cafe con Leche: Voices of Exiles’ Children and associate produced the Emmy Award-nominated Havana: Portrait of Yesteryear narrated by Gloria Estefan for PBS. Amy’s was honored by the City of Miami with a proclamation making October 27, “Amy Serrano Day”. Twice, she’s been named a “Woman of Today” in Glamour Magazine (Spanish Editions, August 2000 and August 2003). Glamour Magazine also named Ms. Serrano a “Woman of the Year” in their Millennium issue. In July 2004, Ms. Serrano was named a “Latina of Excellence” in Hispanic Magazine’s Top Latinas Roster for 2004. In 2007, the Spanish Embassy appointed her president of an Art and Culture Committee. Amy is a published poet and the speaker of four languages. She is near ready to publish her first volume of multilingual poetry entitled Of Fiery Places and Sacred Spaces. She serves as president of her production company Siren Studios, and enjoys the process of merging the social sciences with filmmaking, writing, activism, using these to create awareness, understanding and hope. Amy is also a NHLI graduate of the Class of 2004. Her website is www.sirenstudios.net.

Cecilia Domeyko
Co-founder and president of Accent Media, Cecilia Domeyko holds a B.A. in journalism from the Catholic University of Chile, and an M.A. in Film and Video Production from the American University in Washington, D.C. Cecilia began her career in television journalism working as a national producer and on-camera reporter on the evening news for Univision, the major Spanish language network. She was producer/on-camera reporter and Spanish language host of the U.S. Information Agency’s America Today/Worldnet, and six-year host of WJLA-TV’s Revista, a weekly, bilingual public affairs show broadcast in Washington, D.C. A versatile writer and director in both English and Spanish, Cecilia has won dozens of awards, including multiple Tellys, Gabriels, and Cine Golden Eagles.Her feature-length independent documentary Cuba Mia about an all-woman orchestra in Havana aired on WNET and WGBH and is now airing on other PBS stations across the country. Cecilia’s sponsored documentaries for government agencies and non-profit organizations include sensitive treatments of difficult issues like gangs and drugs, discrimination, racism, domestic violence, AIDS, as well as developmental disabilities and child nutrition. Her international work in Africa, Asia and Latin America treat development issues such as educational reform in Chile and Uganda, forced resettlement of peoples living near dam projects, and assistance for the coffee industries of Peru and Vietnam. Her website is www.accentmediainc.com.

Mayte Prida
Born in Mexico City, Mexico, Mayte Prida has lived in the Uniteds States for most of her life. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Media Communications from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. After graduation, she befan her career as a local news reporter for KWEX-TV in San Antonio and went on to anchor the evening news. In 1988, Mayte was recruited by KWEX-TV in Los Angeles to anchor their daily news programs. As a host and producers of “America”, a national Univision program she quickly reached one of the top positions in the U.S. Hispanic news world. Her successful career was unexpectedly interrupted when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 38. In her battle against cancer, she has portrayed dignity and determination, as well as becoming one of the main spokspersons against the disease in U.S. Hispanic communities. Currently Mayte is the host of Entre Amigas (Among Friends), as part of Telemundo Network’s morning show, Cada Día. She is also the spokesperson for PhRMA’s PPA program, and she serves as president of The Mayte Prida Foundation, an organization dedicated to women facing cancer and their families. Visit her website at www.mayteprida.com.

Esmeralda Santiago
Esmeralda Santiago was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She came to the United States at age 13, the eldest in a family that would eventually include 11 children. She graduated magna cum laude in 1976 from Harvard University. In 1977, she and her husband, Frank Cantor, founded CANTOMEDIA, a film and media production company, which has won numerous awards for excellence in documentary filmmaking. Her writing career evolved from her work as a producer/writer of documentary and educational films. Her essays and opinion pieces have run in newspapers like the New York Times and the Boston Globe, in magazines like House & Garden, Metropolitan Home, and Sports Illustrated, and as guest commentary on NPR’s All Things Considered and Morning Editio. Her writings include: When I was Puerto Rican, América’s Dream, Almost a Woman, and The Turkish Lover. Esmeralda is co-editor of Las Christmas: Favorite Latino Authors Share Their Holiday Memories and Las Mamis: Favorite Latino Authors Remember their Mothers. In addition, her work also includes the illustrated children’s book, A Doll for Navidades. Esmeralda is an active volunteer. She is a spokesperson on behalf of public libraries and was one of the founders of a shelter for battered women and children. She is one of the recipient of the Girl Scouts of the 2002 America National Community Activism Award. She is an NHLI Alumna, Class of 1990, and her website is www.esmeraldasantiago.com.

Dr. Ana Nogales
Dr. Ana Nogales’ wisdom, insight, and compassion have influenced individuals from diverse social classes, ethnic backgrounds, and neighborhoods. Her inspiring and important work as a psychologist, teacher, workshop leader, media personality, and author has touched the lives of those seeking psychological insight, cultural validation, and self-empowerment. As a clinical psychologist and founder of Nogales Psychological Counseling, Inc., Dr. Nogales has dedicated herself to helping members of the Latino community improve their mental and emotional health. Originally from Argentina, she received her Master’s in psychology and had a private practice in Buenos Aires. She completed her Ph.D. in psychology at the United States International University, San Diego. In 1998, Dr. Nogales wrote Dr. Ana Nogales’ Book of Love, Sex and Relationships: A Guide for Latino Couples with Laura Golden Bellotti, the first book ever to address the needs and idiosyncrasies of Latino couples. In 2003 she wrote Latina Power! Using the Seven Strengths You Already Have to Create the Success You Deserve with Laura Golden Bellotti. Dr. Nogales began her career in media in 1980, at Univision, Channel 34, with a regular weekly segment entitled “Ella y Él” at Mundo Latino. Visit her website at www.ananogales.com.

Raquel Ortiz
Raquel Ortiz worked her way up in broadcasting — beginning at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting from administrative assistant to market research associate, then moved on to the creative side of the business at WNET/Channel 13 in New York. She developed, produced and was host of its first Latino series,Realidades. In 1990, she formed her first independent production company, Ortiz/Simon Productions that produced the highly respected PBS documentary Mi Puerto Rico; a personal examination of the more than 100-year troubled relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States. Raquel is the Creative Director and Project Manager of She was producer/host and then executive producer for La Plaza for WGBH-TV, Boston. Raquel Ortiz Productions, having just completed a marketing video promo for the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard University. She has brought the Latino voice and perspective to a variety of boards, including as a Trustee to the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, The Wang Center, The Children’s Museum, ASPIRA Association, and was the founding Chair of the National Latino Communications Center. She is currently co-chair of Women of Ethnic Diversity Initiative at The Commonwealth Institute. Raquel’s book, The Silk Purse, is a memoria about her growing up with her Puerto Rican/Cuban extended family in New York City’s South Bronx during the 1950’s. She is a National Hispana Leadership Institute Alumna, Class of 2000. For more information, go to www.raquelortizproductions.com.

Juana Bordas
Juana Bordas has dedicated her career to creating a network of Latinos reaching into the highest echelons of corporate America. She founded Mestiza Leadership International in 1995, which specializes in training and developing a work environment that encourages diversity and effective leadership. She was the first Latina faculty member at the Center for Creative Leadership as well as the founding president and CEO of the National Hispana Leadership Institute. Formerly, Juana founded Mi Casa Resource Center for Women in Denver, Colorado. While a Peace Corps volunteer, Juana worked with low-income women in Chile. Juana is the author of Salsa, Soul and Spirit: Leadership for a Multicultural Age and is a contributing author to Reflections on Leadership: How Robert K. Greenleaf’s Theory of Servant-Leadership Influenced Today’s Top Management Thinkers. She has been honored as a Wise Woman by the National Center for Women and Policy Studies. Juana currently also serves on the board of the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. Visit her website: www.mestizaleadership.com.

Leslie Sanchez
Leslie Sanchez is the chief executive officer of Impacto Group LLC, a Washington, DC-based strategic communications and market research firm she founded to explore trends and measure opinions among Hispanics and women - segments of the U.S. population that have shown rapid gains in their influence and purchasing power. Her unique understanding of these diverse markets makes her highly sought after by Fortune 500, non-profit and political clients who recognize in her those same qualities that led Hispanic Business magazine to select her as one of the nation’s “100 Most Influential Hispanics.” Leslie is known for her in-depth understanding of the political and cultural landscape inside — and outside — Washington, DC, which help her spot potential solutions to problems most others have yet to identify. As the executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, Leslie was President George W. Bush’s point person on education issues pertaining to the Hispanic community. Leslie’s commitment to the community also includes support for numerous local and national charities as well as serving on the boards of Providence Health Foundation, which supports Providence Hospital, a 143-year-old healthcare center with a congressional charter signed by President Lincoln. Her website is www.lesliesanchez.com

Dr. Joyce Lujan Martinez
Dr. Joyce Lujan Martinez is a native of Denver, Colorado and received her Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree in teaching from Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She earned her Doctoral of Education degree in Educational Administration and Curriculum Specialization at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Martinez worked as a bilingual teacher for 12 years and as a bilingual principal for 10 years. For six years, prior to her move to Mexico, Dr. Martinez was the Executive Director of the Denver Education Network, a Ford Foundation initiative focused on increasing the numbers of inner city students who enrolled and succeeded in college. In this position, she raised funds for schools as well as created significant collaborative partnerships with foundations, corporations and individuals. In July 2000, Dr. Martinez joined the American School Foundation in Mexico City as the Head of Studies. She was appointed Head of School at the American School Foundation in May 2002. Dr. Martinez is an active member of the Olave Baden-Powell Society, a philanthropic organization that supports Girl Guide and Girl Scout activities internationally. Previously, she served as a member of the Board of Directors of Girl Scouts USA and The World Foundation of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides.

Marcela Landres
Marcela Landres is an editorial consultant who edits manuscripts, critiques proposals, and advises on how to launch a writing career. She specializes in helping Latinos get published and is the creator of Latinidad®, which was chosen as one of the 101 Best Web Sites for Writers by Writer’s Digest Magazine. A member of the Women’s Media Group, she has acted as a judge for the PEN/Beyond Margins Award and speaks frequently for organizations such as The Learning Annex. For more information, visit www.marcelalandres.com.

Elena Alvarado
Elena Alvarado, President, National Latina Health Network, is an authority on community health promotion issues and an advocate for women, children and youth issues with over 25 years of experience in the health and human services field. As President of the Board of Directors of a growing community health center in Los Angeles County, she oversaw the growth of that agency from a $1.7 million dollar organization to a $10.5 million dollars network of medical and healthcare programs. Elena launched the first ever bilingual Spanish language cancer and AIDS hotline services in the nation for Southern California. Drawing from her background in theater and dance, she developed prevention programs targeted at women and youth in the areas of substance abuse, sexual assault, child abuse and HIV/AIDS. Among her many other professional accomplishments, she is a founding member of the California Hispanic Women’s Health Association, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health and founder and CEO of the National Latina Health Network based in Washington, D.C. Her appointments include serving as special advisor to the American Social Health Association, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Diabetes and HIV, STD Prevention Center. She is also a lifelong member of the American Public Health Association. Elena is a graduate of California State University and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles with degrees in Sociology, Public Health and Theatre Arts. She is also a graduate of the National Center for Creative Leadership Executive Program, and is a 1991 fellow of the National Hispana Leadership Institute. Her website is www.nlhn.net.

Sonja Mazón Rubalcava
Sonja Mazón Rubalcava is Director, Strategic Planning at Arvizu Advertising and Promotions in Phoenix, Arizona. Her responsibilities include corporate account services and strategic planning for all clients and new business acquisition, internal processes and administrative issues. She has extensive experience with national firms in the areas of Hispanic strategies, corporate business development, Human Resources, sales and customer satisfaction. She is fluent in both Spanish and English and has valuable negotiation experience with Hispanic businesses. Sonja worked with AT&T for 20 years in Hispanic marketing, call centers and sales and directed large employee team. She is also the president of her company Mazón Rubalcava Consulting and is a certified Life Empowerment Coach and owns an e-commerce consumer products distribution business. She received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business from Arizona State University and her MBA from Arizona State University Executive MBA Program. She is a 1997 graduate of NHLI’s Executive Program and currently member of its board. She also sits on the board of the Hispanic Women’s Corporation (www.hispanicwomen.org).

Aliana Apodaca
Aliana Apodaca is owner and principal trainer of Positive Directions. As a keynote speaker and trainer, she has addressed thousands of people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. A native of El Paso, Texas, Aliana has evolved from being a single mother on welfare, to one of the community’s leaders. In 1994, she was among a group of small business owners invited to meet with the President at the White House. She has hosted several local TV programs and is currently a featured columnist with the El Paso Times and provides advice and guidance to readers on workplace issues. A graduate of Loretto Academy, Aliana attended the University of Texas at El Paso and special studies at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. In 1999, she was named the District Women in Business Advocate of the Year by the Small Business Administration in El Paso, Texas. She was also named as the 1999 Business Woman of the Year by TAMACC (Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce) and named Outstanding Alumnae for the Class of 1971 by Loretto Academy. Aliana has been featured in Hispanic Magazine and was named as one of “1000 Women for the Nineties” by Mirabella Magazine. She is a graduate of the NHLI Class of 1990. Visit her website, www.adminproconference.com.

Nanci E. Luna Jimenez
Nanci E. Luna Jiménez started Luna Jiménez Seminars in 1994 to offer her highly effective skills as a trainer and facilitator in the area of Cross Cultural Communication and Alliance Building. Her dynamic programs have expanded to include leadership development, women and physical power, and team building and collaboration. In her training programs Nanci addresses the effects of institutional oppressions on us as individuals and as a society. Her approach facilitates dialogue and understanding between members of groups targeted by sexism, classism, racism, and other oppressions and those who are not targeted by this systematic mistreatment. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and Tucson, Arizona of Puerto Rican and Chicana heritage, Nanci brings a unique perspective and personal passion to her work. A Ford Foundation Fellow, Nanci was a Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, Santa Cruz and received her BA cum laude from Yale University. In addition, she attended the Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras and El Programa Interdiciplinario de la Mujer at the Colegio de México in Mexico City and is a graduate of the NHLI’s Executive Leadership Program. Visit her website at www.lunajimenezseminars.com.

Rosa Tupina Yaotonaluauhti-Orta
Rosa Tupina Yaotonalcuauhtli-Orta has more than 30 years experience as a diverse practitioner in the healing arts. She has excelled in public speaking, consulting, training services, and holistic healing and has been able to assist individuals and organizations to grow in many different aspects. Rosa’s rural Mexican cultural upbringing provided her with valuable experiences that enriched her life. Her training in the healing arts began at an early age with her family lineage of curanderas/parteras. She continued her education and obtained a Nursing LVN Diploma with honors and a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Texas at El Paso, where she was one of the top ten students. She received numerous awards for her academic endeavors and artistic talents. In 1992 she obtained a Master of Science in Social Work in Administration and Planning from the University of Texas at Austin. She combines the ancient Mexica/Azteca healing traditions with Western and alternative medicine. Rosa believes in striving for a balance of self, family, career, and community within a spiritual framework above all. Rosa is a Sun Dancer, a Moon Dancer and an Aztec Traditional Dancer. She practices the traditional beliefs of the Mexica and Huichol people. She believes the arts are the expression of the spirit. She is a healing artist who desires to integrate her work with her beliefs and at the same time unite forces with her family. In 2007, Rosa began a new direction with Acalli Mystical Journey Adventures, her firm that specializes in private retreats in sacred spaces in Mexico and South America.

Gloria Rodriguez
Gloria Rodríguez is the President and Founder of MAPA Communications, Inc. and Comunicad, a full-service multicultural marketing communications firm. As a change agent she has worked to change the faces of boardrooms and management of corporate America. Her exceptional visionary and leadership skills have led her to build strategic coalitions to advocate on behalf of Hispanic women, children and families in the U.S. and Latin America. Recently, Rodríguez finished the creation of the Advisory Board for the Fox Center in Mexico. Rodríguez sits on the Board of Directors for the Smithsonian Latino Center; the National Hispanic Children’s Institute; the National Advisory Council for Our Lady of the Lake University; Code Compliance Review Board for the Beer Institute; and the Advisory Board of the IDB’s Prolid. Rodríguez was named to the faculty of Gallup University’s School of Executive Leadership. In October 2007, Rodríguez received the D. Parke Gibson Pioneer Award from the Public Relations Society of America, for her efforts to increase awareness of public relations within multicultural communities. Visit her website: www.comunicad.com.

Dr. Sandra Madrid
Dr. Madrid received a BA in English/elementary education in 1974 from the University of Southern Colorado, an MA in reading/language arts in 1981 from the University of Washington, and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction in 1985 from the University of Washington. Since 1989 she has been the U.W. School of Law’s assistant dean for Student Services and Administration, where she has overall administrative and management responsibility for Student Services, Admission and Recruitment, Career Planning and Public Service Center, and serves as Director of Personnel. She is also Law School liaison to selected external constituencies, including the Asian Bar, the Latina/o Bar, the Loren Miller Bar, the Northwest Indian Bar, and the King County Bar Association (KCBA) Minority Affairs Committee. From 1985 to 1989, Dr. Madrid was the U.W. Instructional Center director, where she was responsible for providing educational leadership to and administrative management for the instructional unity of the Office of Minority Affairs. During her tenure at the University of Washington, Dr. Madrid has served on numerous boards and committees, including the U.W. Alumni Association Multicultural Alumni Partnership, the Financial Aid Advisory Board, the Office of Minority Affairs Advisory Board, the Professional Staff Advisory Board, the U.W. Law School Alumni Association Diversity Enrichment Committee, the U.W. Child Care Advisory Committee, and the Student Counseling Center Advisory Committee. Dr. Madrid is the current Chair, Board of Directors, Girl Scouts of the USA, and a member of the following boards: National Council of International Visitors, Law School Admissions Council, the Minority Affairs Council, Association of American Law Schools Minority Groups Section, United Way of King County, Seattle Art Museum, Member, Washington State Minority and Justice Commission, YWCA of Seattle and King/Snohomish Counties, King County Bar Association, Leadership Tomorrow, KUOW/KCM, Latina/o Bar Association of Washington (formerly Washington State Hispanic Bar Association. She is the Immediate Past Board Chair of NHLI and a graduate of the Institute.

Peggy Montaño
Peggy Montaño is an attorney with over 25 years experience in Denver, Colorado and a 1991 alumna of NHLI. She is an owner of a boutique law firm practicing natural resources law. She serves on the National Board of the Audubon Society and numerous state boards in the area of conservation of land and water. Peggy is a frequent speaker on leadership and law to local schools and women’s organizations. She is the mother of two grown children and has mentored many young professional women. She is active in politics and supports many non profit organizations. Peggy enjoys hiking, snow shoeing, travel and reading history, particularly the history of the Western United States.

Jenny M. Parra
Jenny M. Parra graduated from New York University with a degree in economics. She currently combines an extensive proessional background in banking with a personal life study in metaphysics and applied Feng Shui. She is a certified Feng Shui consultant who was introduced and guided into the field by the world renowned Master Professor Thomas Lin Yun. Jenny has practed the art of Feng Shui for nearly a decade. In addition, for over 20 years, she has studied Eastern and WEstern healing traditions, life coaching, and spiritual practices from teachers around the world. Jenny’s passion is to simplify Feng Shui understanding, to conjure up your dream environment, and to manifest positive changes whenver needed in your life. Visit her website: www.jennyparra.com.

Renee Peña
Renee Peña successfully spent over a decade in sales and marketing working in the Hispanic media industry in Arizona and California and in one of the world’s largest breweries in Colorado before she began paving the way to creating an alternative healing practice in Southern California. As a corporate executive with a demanding travel schedule, her body developed health issues including stress, weight gain, lethargy, and insulin resistance. After many attempts to balance her life and preserve her health, she sought support outside of herself. Luckily, a third-generation acupuncturist began immediate treatment providing rapid, safe and effective healing results using ancient Eastern medicine. For the first time in years, Renee witnessed a renewed sense of increased energy and vitality unlike ever before. Unbeknown to her at that time, this revived sense of being would eventually guide and lead her to a greater personal healing journey that in time would generate and deliver a substantial client base. This inner shift of learning to heal herself and others led to classes in energy-based modalities such as Pranic Healing. Ultimately, Renee engaged in the art of hypnotherapy to develop Hypno-Energy, her personal approach to synthesizing hypnosis with energy-based therapies that support clients with healing transformation processes to restore their sense of well-being, self empowerment, and life purpose. Today, Renee continues her dream and passion in the alternative healing arts and sciences by empowering and informing large groups, while still maintaining her healing space for private sessions, meditation groups, and workshops. She is participating in a film documentary currently in development and conducts free monthly healing clinics. Visit her website: www.reneepena.com.

Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez was confirmed by the New York State Senate as the 65th Secretary of State on March 6, 2007. Secretary Cortés-Vázquez is the first Hispanic to hold the position. In her inaugural address, she pledged that she would use her position as Secretary of State to support Governor Eliot Spitzer’s efforts to create “One New York for all New Yorkers.” Secretary Cortés-Vázquez comes to the New York Department of State with a background in the corporate, non-profit, and government sectors that extends over 27 years. Prior to her appointment, she was Vice President of Government and Public Affairs at Cablevision Systems Corporation, a leading media, entertainment and telecommunications company. Secretary Cortés-Vázquez has gained national recognition for her distinguished work in the non-profit sector. She served as President of the Hispanic Federation, a non-profit network of 90 Latino health and human service agencies. Secretary Cortés-Vázquez also has extensive experience in government. In 2001, she was appointed to the New York State Board of Regents, a position she held until 2007. A graduate of Hunter College, Secretary Cortés-Vázquez has a master’s degree from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. She has certificates from Harvard University’s Women and Power: Leadership in the New World Program and from Columbia University’s School of Non-Profit Management. She is a 2001 NHLI Alumna.

Rep. Delia Garcia
Rep. Delia Garcia is the youngest female and first ever Latina elected to the Kansas Legislature. She is also a professor of American Federal Government at Butler Community College, and helps with the family restaurant “Connie’s Mexico Café” in Wichita, Kansas. Rep. Garcia holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. Rep. Garcia currently serves on advisory boards of Healthy Kansas 2010, Global Learning Center, U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute, Kansas Latino Legislative Caucus, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement of Wichita, Kansas Democratic Party, Kappa Delta Chi Latina Service Sorority Inc. Alumni of Wichita State University, and Inter-Faith Dialogue. She is a member of NALEO (National Association of Latino Elected Officials), NHCSL (National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators), and NCSL (National Caucus of State Legislators). Rep. Delia Garcia is active in her community working as a volunteer member for the League of Women Voters, National Organization of Women, and the American GI Forum. She is a 2007 NHLI graduate.

Celia Nuñez
Celia Núñez has held a variety of challenging and significant leadership positions in both the private sector and state government, ranging from Executive Director for the Oregon Commission on Hispanic Affairs to the highest-ranking Latina in the Oregon Legislative Assembly as Caucus Policy Coordinator for the Oregon Senate Majority Office. She is a member of the Oregon Community Foundation’s Northern Willamette Valley Advisory Council, and a recent fellow of the Portland Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Program. She is a proud City Council member for the City of Wilsonville, Oregon and a member of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). Currently, Celia is an Agency Recruiter for State Farm Insurance in the Pacific Northwest Region. Celia has earned her B.A. and her M.B.A. from George Fox University in Oregon. In 2004 and 2007, Celia was a panelist at the Hispanic Women’s Conference in Phoenix, AZ. During 2007, she represented State Farm as the keynote speaker at the Mujeres Unidas in Idaho and was a panelist at the Nordstrom Latina Summit in Seattle, Washington. Additionally, Celia is a proud graduate of NHLI, Class of 2004.

Maria Teresa Petersen
Named by Hispanic Magazine as one of the top Latinas in government and politics, Maria Teresa Petersen is the founding Executive Director of Voto Latino. Voto Latino is a youth organization founded by actress Rosario Dawson seeking to galvanize the fastest growing eligible voting block in America. Under Maria Teresa’s leadership, Voto Latino launched the first ever national mobile texting campaign to register voters in 2006. Prior to Voto Latino, Maria Teresa founded Petersen Advisory and served as a political consultant to several clients including: Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Accenture, National Latino Council of Alcohol and Tobacco Prevention, Mickey Ibarra & Associates, and AT&T. She started her career as a Legislative Aide for former Democratic Caucus Chairman Vic Fazio. Maria Teresa has appeared in several media outlets including CNBC, NBC, and Unvision; and she serves as a frequent guest speaker at national conferences focusing on social entrepreneurship and Latino issues. Maria Teresa is a Woodrow Wilson Public Policy International Affairs Fellow, a National Hispana Leadership Institute Fellow, and a founding board member of the Latino Leader’s Network. Maria Teresa holds a Masters from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelors from University California at Davis. The White House Project’s SheSource.org recently invited Maria Teresa to participate as a political and social entrepreneur expert for their project advancing more women in television as political experts. She is a Fellow of the NHLI Class of 2004.

Lillian Roybal Rose
Raised in East Los Angeles, California, Lillian Roybal Rose teaches her nationally acclaimed cross cultural leadership awareness seminars to academic, corporate, civic, and community groups, implementing powerful learning frameworks for long-term, effective cooperation and communication. Lillian’s style is dynamic, personable, and sensitive. Her extensive experience and exceptional skills help fuel mutual respect among people of all backgrounds, helping them reclaim pride in their roots through the exploration of shared experiences. Her unique high-impact seminars are known for supporting and releasing creativity, productivity, and efficiency among people working together. Lillian is an educator and consultant in the area of cross cultural communication. Lillian received her B.A. in sociology from California State University, Los Angeles and her M.S. in education from the University of Southern California. She has also trained at the Stanford Institute for Intercultural Communication, and completed the Healing the Heart of Diversity® Facilitation Leaders Partnership Program. Visiit her website: www.roybalrose.com.

Ysabel Duron
Ysabel Duron is an award-winning journalist with more than 30 years in television broadcasting. In 1997 she was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ “Silver Circle” for more than 27 years of meritorious work as a journalist. She is a weekend anchor of “KRON 4 Weekend Morning News”. She came to the station from WMAQ-TV, where she won a team Emmy for breaking news coverage of the Laurie Dann School shooting. Since joining KRON 4, Ysabel has garnered public acclaim with two award-winning series. “The Child I Never Held” and “Life with Cancer.” Locally, Ysabel has also worked at KTVU-TV in Oakland, where she won her first Emmy award in 1974 for her reporting of the Patty Hearst kidnapping. She was honored again in 1982 while working as a reporter/anchor at KICU-TV in San Jose. There, her four-part series “Trouble with Teachers” won the John Swett Award for Media Excellence, the highest award given by the California Teachers Association. Much of her career has been in the Bay Area, and she has won many accolades from community and Latino groups. But her journalism interests have also taken her beyond the Bay Area to Mexico, Chile and Argentina as a board member of the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF), working to create a network of Latina journalists. A native of Salinas, California, Ysabel received a BA in Journalism from San Jose State University. She was named one of America’s top 100 Hispanic Women in Communications by Hispanic USA Magazine. Ysabel is a 1990 NHLI Fellow. She is president of the board of Las Isabelas, a unique Santa Clara County non-profit that provides support services to Latinas with breast cancer, targeting low-income Spanish-speaking women. Ysabel is also a board member of Ballet San Jose of Silicon Valley. Visit her website: www.latinascontracancer.org.

Dr. Luisa Medrano
Dr. Luisa Medrano is a bilingual, bicultural licensed clinical psychologist with 20 years of clinical, consulting and managerial experience. She holds a long standing academic appointment to Harvard Medical School and other affiliated hospitals. She is the author of several publications and has been a member of the board of several Boston-based community and not-for-profit organizations. Dr. Medrano has held several directorship and leadership positions in healthcare and community organizations at major Harvard Medical School teaching hospitals. Most recently she was the administrative director of a full service medical facility for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Medrano is the president of Medrano Associates, LLC, providing consultation to national and international corporations and organizations in the area of crisis management and preservation of human capital. In her clinical work she has specialized in the treatment and prevention of traumatic stress. She has been actively involved in hurricanes Katrina and Andrew, the tsunami recovery efforts in SriLanka and the September 11 terrorist attack in New York. Dr. Medrano has over 20 years of experience appearing as television and radio guest speaker on Boston stations. For four years she was the Family and Psychology Editor, WBZ-TV, Channel 4, Program “Centro,” Brighton, Massachusetts.

Magda Yrizarry
Magda Yrizarry is Vice President for Workplace Culture and Compliance in Corporate Human Resources for Verizon and is responsible for strategic human resources issues and policies relating to diversity, ethics and workplace programs. Prior to her current assignment, Magda was Executive Director of Public Policy and Strategic Alliances for Verizon and was responsible for Verizon’s key national stakeholder relationships and outreach efforts with multicultural communities, senior citizen and disabled constituencies throughout the United States. Magda joined Verizon in 1990 as Manager of Educational Relations, overseeing corporate responsibility and educational initiatives, as well as volunteer programs like the New York State Mentoring Program, School-Based Management and Junior Achievement. While in New York, Magda served as a trustee and president of Community School Board 9 from 1996 to 1997 and as a member of the Board of Education Committee on Bilingual and Special Education from 2001 to 2002. Magda represents Verizon on LULAC’s National Education Service Centers Board and the Corporate Advisory Board of the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility. She is a founding member of 100 Hispanic Women, Chairperson of ASPIRA of New York and Executive Board member of the ASPIRA Association. Magda holds a Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. and has completed the executive training program at Harvard University.

Stephanie Valdez Streaty
Stephanie Valdez Streaty is the senior manager of philanthropy and diversity communications for Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) where she is responsible for Nissan’s corporate outreach and diversity initiatives at NNA and its affiliate companies. She manages NNA’s national and local outreach efforts — including a $1 million partnership with World Wildlife Fund, a $1 million partnership with Habitat for Humanity, in addition to multiple partnerships donating millions of dollars in the communities in which Nissan operates. Since joining Nissan in 1996, Stephanie has held several different positions. Most recently, she was served a manager of diversity relations. Additional previous positions include human resource development, training and process improvement analysis where she performed a process improvement and strategic analysis of the purchasing department. In addition to her management of NNA’s corporate social responsibility and community outreach efforts, she also develops and implements the annual diversity business plan, manages the company’s employee diversity initiatives, coordinates internal diversity communications, and functions as a liaison both internally and externally in regards to diversity activities. Originally from Colorado, Stephanie graduated from Stanford University in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and organizational development. She is a member of the Stanford Professional Women’s Association.

Carmen Bauza
Carmen R. Bauza is the Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager responsible for leading merchandising strategies for seasonal and basic candy, impulse, and gift cards, for Wal-Mart stores in the United States. Prior to joining Wal-Mart, she was a General Merchandise Manager at Bath and Body Works, a division of Limited Brands, Inc. of seasonal gifts and accessories. Carmen also spent over ten years with the Walt Disney Company Theme Parks Division in various roles that included Vice President and General Merchandise Manager responsible for product development of theme parks. She has over 24 years of experience in the retail industry including store operation and planning. Carmen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Merchandising and Business Management from Seton Hill College in Greensburg, PA where she has been involved in the Alumnae Mentoring Program. A native of Ponce, Puerto Rico, she has been active in various groups in support of Hispanics including the Hispanic Endowment Fund and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Barbara J. DesMarteau
Barbara J. DesMarteau is the Director of the Adams County Community & Economic Opportunity Department that includes the Workforce & Business Center, Community Development, and Head Start. The Community & Economic Opportunity Department is one of nine cabinet level departments directly reporting to the Board of County Commissioners. Barbara is an appointed official, and serves at the pleasure of these elected officials and the County Administrator. Through her department, she also oversees county wide boards that are appointed by the County Commissioners. Before joining Adams County, Barbara served as the Executive Director of the Mi Casa Resource Center for Women, a non-profit community-based organization. Additionally, Barbara managed human services programs for the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Community Services Administration. Barbara completed the Senior Executive Program for State and Local officials at Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government. She has completed the International Career Advancement Program at the University of Denver and the Head Start – Johnson & Johnson Fellows Program at the Anderson School of Management at UCLA. Barbara currently serves on the Adams County Economic Development Board and the Audubon Colorado Board of Directors. Barbara attended graduate school at the University of Kansas, and has a BA in Sociology from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. Barbara is a NHLI alumna of the Class of 1994.

Catherine M.Pino
Catherine M. Pino is Co-Founder & Principal of D&P Creative Strategies. Along with partner Ingrid, Catherine’s aim is to advance corporate, philanthropic and legislative efforts that mirror her deep commitment to social justice and civil rights issues. Catherine has two decades of experience working in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors, where she has developed an expertise for designing and evaluating programs that target underserved populations. She advises nonprofit leaders on capacity building and effective program implementation, and has worked closely with Fortune 100 companies and private foundations to advance social service initiatives. She is a board member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the NGLCC and is the Chair of the GLAAD Leadership Council for the DC Metro Area. Catherine also served as the first Latina Chair of the Hetrick-Martin Institute in New York City from 2000-2006. Catherine has spoken broadly on issues of philanthropy, youth, school reform and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights. She has been widely recognized for her professional and civic accomplishments, having received both the New York State Special Civil Rights Award and the Robert F. Wagner Public Service Award. In 2004 and 2005, she was named by Hispanic Magazine as a Latina of Excellence. She earned a B.A. in Political Science and Criminal Justice from the University of New Mexico, and holds a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from New York University. Catherine is also a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Corporate Governance Executive Program; Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Program; and the Leadership Development Program at the Center for Creative Leadership. She is a 2006 NHLI Fellow. D&P’s website is: www.dpcreativestrategies.com

Denise Tryner
Denise Tryner motivates and inspires each and every individual she works with to live their best life. She has over five years of experience teaching both indoor and outdoor fitness classes as well as group and private personal training. Finding the proper balance in exercise and nutrition is the key to living a healthy lifestyle. A few of her passions are running road races, triathlons, hiking, swimming, biking and racing around after her two beautiful little girls. Denise works with clients building speed and endurance so that they continue to push themselves to the next level while reaching all of their short and long term goals. She says, “not only do I like competing against others, but I also love competing against myself. I continually strive to better my performance, and enjoy encouraging others to challenge themselves. There is something truly exhilarating about pushing ones body to its physical limits”. Her website is: www.denisetrynor.com.

Natasha Bannan
Natasha Bannan currently works as Manager of Multicultural Initiatives at the national headquarters of Girl Scouts of the USA in New York. Her work is centered on the organization’s efforts to establish a visible presence within the Latino community on both a national and local level. Natasha’s career has spanned a decade in the public and non-profit sectors. Prior to joining Girl Scouts, she served as Director for the Bronx Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Latin American Association in Atlanta, GA, where she coordinated, developed, and expanded Hispanic youth programs for three counties. She is also involved in various community organizations and is currently a co-organizer of the NYC chapter of Las Comadres para Las Americas, a member of the A-VIP (Volunteer Initiative Program) Advisory Committee for ASPIRA of New York and Co-Chair of the Non-Profit Network at NYU’s Wagner School for Public Service. She has an MPA in Public and Non-Profit Policy and Management from New York University and a BA in Psychology from Georgia State University. Natasha is a 2006 NHLI Fellow.

Yoli G. Casas
Yoli Casas brings her passion, education and experience of coaching triathlons and endurance athletics for over 22 years. She has a Master’s degree in exercise physiology and applied kinesiology and currently works at the University of Colorado as a research assistant in the area of exercise, aging and cardiovascular health, particularly in postmenopausal women. Yoli has written publications and manuscripts in the American Journal of Physiology Endocrinology and Metabolism, and the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Yoli competed as an elite swimmer, triathlete and runner in international events in the Marathon, Ironman and Olympic distance triathlons; she has her Expert Level II Triathlon Coaching Certification and has helped over 1000 athletes of all levels through the years. This year is her 13th Season as the program designer and head coach for Team CWW Triathlon, (Voted best women’s triathlon club in the nation by USAT). Yoli’s coaching philosophy is coaching and about making it fun, believing, teaching, compassion, encouragement, patience, support (lots of it)…listening… just being there through the athlete’s journey. Her coaching interest is helping people through their life challenges by incorporating athletics into their lifestyle and helping women of all levels and ages achieve their athletic goals and in the process empower them to believe in themselves.

Olivia V. Meza
Olivia V. Meza has 30 years experience with the criminal justice system as a senior federal court executive, a specialist in Indian Country and sex offenses, a pretrial services officer, and a probation officer in Arizona, Maryland and California. She served as Chief of Pretrial Services for the U.S. District Court in Arizona, one of the largest and fastest growing offices nationally. She administered a multimillion dollar budget and managed 60 supervisors and officers statewide, working directly with federal judges and attornies, victims and families, and defendents. She introduced cutting edge software for supervision of federal defendents charged with computer based sex offenses, and leadership training programs and professional staff development. The Yuma native served as a juvenile probation officer in Maricopa and Yuma Counties, and taught at Arizona Western College. She has volunteered with Maricopa County Justice Courts as a mediator, assisted at the Chrysalis Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence, at St. Vincent de Paul, and the Salvation Army. She formerly served on the Ninth Circuit Judicial Committee on Employee Diversity. Olivia is a member of the Arizona Dispute Resulution Association, and graduate of the NHLI Class. She earned a Masters of Science degree in Family Life and Child Development, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology, from Arizona State University.

Laura López Cano
Laura López Cano holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of Texas at El Paso and continued her studies in fashion illustration at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. She has taught college-level classes in the United States and in Mexico in addition to private art classes at her Austin, Texas art studio. She has exhibited in numerous galleries and fine art shows throughout the United States. Laura has received “best of show” honors in several exhibitions and was a poster artist for the 2003 NHLI Mujer Awards, Hispanic Women’s Corporation, Hispanic Women in Leadership and MANA’s Las Primeras Awards. Her series, “Mujeres del Siglo,” has an arresting presence with lush, oversized canvases and images of bold, beautiful faces of dark-haired women. Inspired by her childhood summers spent in Mexico, her portrayals of elegant women dressed in shawls evoke memories of a romantic era gone by. Cano’s works capture the beauty, strength, elegance and pride of Latinas and all women of color. She inspires feminine diversity and artistic creativity, extending the bond between generations while working toward the improvement of the community she serves. She graciously gives of her art and time to support charitable organizations, including Prevent Blindness of Texas, Casa Marianella and others that promote education and women’s issues. She is an NHLI Alumna of the Class of 2006. To learn more about her work, go to her website: www.lauralopezcano.com.

Sina Sutter
In 1962, Sina and her entire family left Cuba and it hasn’t always been easy, but it certainly has been interesting. Sina had dreamed of working as an artist since she was a child. By 1985, she had focused her work on watercolors and the style that is uniquely her own had begun to take shape. By the late 1980s, Sina had reconnected with her roots as a Hispanic woman as she commenced a series of work that would evolve towards maturity by the late 1990s. Her work has concentrated on exploring those aspects of her heritage that are visually rich in texture and content. Her interest in both Cuban culture and the greater Hispanic culture provides fertile ground for a style that is sometimes complex yet able to reach people at many different levels. Sina has produced posters for NHLI for the 2000, 2002 and 2005 Mujer Awards, for the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives event for Women’s History Month (2001), for the US Department of Health and Human Services (2003, 2004), and for UNIFEM’s fundraising event for the women of Afghanistan (2004). Sina’s work has been on exhibit at the Epcot Guest Relations Lobby since October 2002. Sina’s definition of art provides insight into her view of life: “Art is the essence of feeling in it’s diverse forms. It includes the broadest aspects of life and how each singular personality manifests its perception of each existing experience by means of an aesthetic and comfortable wrapper that stimulates the imagination.” See more of Sina’s work at www.sinasutter.com.

Virginia Robles-Villalba
Born and raised in the inner city projects of New York City, Virginia’s artistic abilities were noticed at a very early age and it was a means of escape both on mental and physical levels. After her divorce in 1981, she decided to pursue her dream of an art career and grad­uated in 1986 with a B.A. in Fine Arts with honors from George Washington University. Virginia also is an accomplished graphic designer. She states, “The works of ancient peoples are a testament to human creativity, ability and endurance. With simple tools, great beauty was created.” Her work depicts and celebrates the diversity of life’s experiences and the ongoing everyday human drama. Exploring the world of myth and pre-Columbian symbolism, she fuses modern computer graphics with the ancient petroglyphs. In 2002, she was an Artist-in-Residence, Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino, California and has her exhibited her work in Argentina, Arizona, California, Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, California, New York, and Missouri. Her work has been on display at the United Nations, the Smithsonian Institution and the Ned Hatathli Museum, Diné College in Tsaile, Arizona. In 2007, Virginia displayed her work at the American Museum of Natural History’s Grand Gallery in conjunction with exhibition, “Gold”, that highlighted various indigenous communities linked with pre-Columbian gold traditions.

Lizary Rodríguez Ríos
Chamber performer and soloist Lizary Rodríguez Ríos attended the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico and studied with noted Puerto Rican harpist María Rosa Vidal. She earned both Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of Arizona, where she studied with world renowned harpist, Dr. Carrol McLaughlin. She subsequently finished two postgraduate degrees from Madrid’s Royal Conservatory of Music, studying under the tutelage of celebrated harpist Dr. María Rosa Calvo-Manzano. Lizary has performed internationally at numerous venues and festivals, including the prestigious Casals Festival in Puerto Rico. In addition to her career as a soloist, she has toured with the Grammy nominated international harp ensemble, Harp Fusion, performing in the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Spain and Russia. She has recorded three CDs with the group, featuring her as harpist and arranger. Among many exceptional honors, Lizary was the first harpist to receive the Centennial Achievement Award in the history of the University of Arizona. She has won prizes in competitions such as the President’s Concerto Competition at the University of Arizona, the International Tournament of Musicians (TIM) in France, the Cita di Padova International Music Performance Competition in Italy, and the Notes at 9,000’s Emerging Artist Series Competition in Colorado.

Conjunto Colores
The popularity of Latin music in Colorado has grown to enormous heights, but the band responsible for making Salsa and Latin Jazz a known commodity is “Conjunto Colores.” Conjunto Colores has opened for such bands as Tito Puente Orquestra, Sonora Poncena, Bob James, Willie Colon, and Ruben Blades, just to name a few. They have appeared at the following venues, The Taste of Colorado, Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Cinco de Mayo Celebrations, Ski Fiesta, Telluride Jazz Festival and Denver City Park Jazz Festival. They had the honor of playing for the first Red Rocks Jazz Festival, sharing the stage with the great Arturo Sandoval and Diana Schuur. Between 1996 and 2005, Conjunto Colores under the leadership of Francisco Mejias have released three cds La Hora Llego, Mi Planeta en Otro Nivel and their latest Lo Mejor Del Conjunto Colores. The current members of Conjunto Colores are: Francisco Mejias, Leader and Director, vocals, timbales; Jimmy Trujillo, bass; Andy Navalos, piano; Jose Espino, congas; Ricky Sanchez, bongos; Jose Alberto Caberra, vocals; Alfredo Rivera, vocals; Tim Allums, trumpet; Tim Libby, trumpet; Mark Burdett, trombone; and Tom Ball, trombone.