Eyewitness News Reporter & Fill-In Anchor, 

ABC7 Eyewitness News

Abigail Velez, an El Paso, Texas native, joins the ABC7 Eyewitness News team as a reporter and fill-in anchor. She began her career in Greenville, North Carolina, before moving to CBS Austin, where she reported on some of Texas’ biggest stories, from historic floods and political battles, to high-profile criminal trials. A proud graduate of the University of the Incarnate Word and former Miss San Antonio USA, Abigail is an award-winning journalist recognized nationally for her storytelling and clear, personable delivery. She looks forward to bringing her passion for impactful, community-centered journalism to Southern California.

Founder & CEO, Operativo

HOPE Board Chair

Local Government Affairs Manager,

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Erica Cabrera is a Central Valley native and HOPE Leadership Institute Alumnus, Class of 2013. She currently works for Pacific Gas & Electric as a Central Coast-Central Valley Local Government Affairs Manager servicing Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, & Tulare Counties. Erica earned a Master of Arts in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Fresno Pacific University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Fresno. She has 10 years of experience working in local and state government; which includes serving as District Director for former Assemblymember Henry T. Perea.

Producer, Investor, and Founder

Patty Rodriguez is one of the most influential American Latino leaders as a nationally recognized entrepreneur, radio producer, media personality, founder, angel investor, and best-selling author who was proudly raised in Los Angeles by Mexican immigrant parents. Patty co-founded Lil’ Libros, the #1 family-trusted bilingual children’s media publisher, inspired by her desire to teach her two beautiful boys, Alexander and Oliver, about their family’s culture and language. Her passion for uplifting her community extends beyond children’s books, having made angel investments in early-stage startups and launching sin miedo productions in 2021 to elevate the voices and stories of the American Latino experience. Patty is best known as Senior Producer and On-Air Talent for the internationally syndicated radio show, “On Air With Ryan Seacrest,” on iHeartMedia’s 102.7 KIIS FM Los Angeles.

Assistant General Manager for Administrative and Financial Management,

City of Los Angeles’ Community Investment for Families Department

Rosa E. Benavides is the Assistant General Manager for Administrative and Financial Management at the City of Los Angeles’ Community Investment for Families Department. In her role, she helps steward and oversee multimillion-dollar local, state, and federal budgets and leads the department’s administrative and fiscal infrastructure. She is currently the point person for integrating the systems of four City departments as they consolidate to better support families, youth, seniors, and communities across Los Angeles.

A first-generation college graduate from UCLA, Rosa has over 20 years of experience in local government, leadership, and community-focused service.

Rosa is also the Founder of Speak Up Mujer, LLC, a coaching and workshop space dedicated to helping first-gen and Latina mujeres heal self-trust, grow their confidence, and own their voice in every room they step into—at work, in business, and in community. Through coaching, pláticas, and public speaking, she creates culturally rooted spaces where women feel seen, heard, and empowered to lead.

Rosa is passionate about demystifying “the room,” expanding access, and ensuring that Latinas see themselves as decision-makers, advocates, and leaders in every space they step into.

President and CEO,

Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA)

Lourdes Castro Ramírez is an executive leader with a proven track record of impact across federal, state, and local government. As President and CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), she leads the nation’s second-largest public housing agency, serving over 200,000 people.

Her career is defined by high-level service, including an appointment by President Barack Obama to lead HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing and serving as under Governor Newsom as Secretary of the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.

A strategic advisor to Mayor Karen Bass, Castro Ramírez specializes in scaling affordable housing production and building regional coalitions to solve homelessness.

She holds a Master’s in Urban Planning and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from UCLA.

Deputy Mayor of Energy and Sustainability,

Office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass

Nancy Sutley leads Mayor Bass’s environmental, energy and sustainability policy and programs. Sutley was previously the Senior Assistant General Manager of External and Regulatory Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, where she oversaw all external relations activities for the nation’s largest municipally owned utility. Prior to that, Sutley led the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) for five years during the administration of President Barack Obama, a position for which she was unanimously confirmed for by the United States Senate. Sutley previously served as Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s Deputy Mayor for Energy and Environment and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Assistant Director of Community Affairs,

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power

Stephanie Spicer serves as the Assistant Director of Community Affairs at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the largest municipal utility in the nation. In this pivotal role, Stephanie leads community outreach and engagement efforts for LADWP’s major policies, programs, and operations, both in Los Angeles and the Eastern Sierra. Her work focuses on fostering meaningful connections with local organizations and institutions to empower LADWP customers and the diverse communities it serves.

With over 20 years of experience in community affairs, Stephanie has built a career dedicated to creating impactful public information campaigns, forging public-private partnerships, and cultivating relationships that drive positive change. A proud Los Angeles native and the daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, Stephanie’s upbringing instilled in her a deep commitment to public service and giving back to her community. Her work reflects her passion for initiatives that uplift and benefit the people of Los Angeles.

Stephanie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University and a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Southern California. Beyond her professional achievements, she is a devoted mother, volunteer soccer coach, and enthusiastic foodie. Whether cheering on her 9-year-old daughter Cecilia at softball games or exploring new culinary and travel adventures with her husband James, Stephanie embodies the spirit of balance, leadership, and community.

Senior Vice President, of Government Affairs and
Civic Engagement, 

AltaMed

Berenice Nuñez Constant is the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Civic Engagement at AltaMed Health Services Corporation. Since joining AltaMed in 2017, she has led the organization’s policy, advocacy, and legislative agendas across federal, state, and local levels.

Under her leadership, Ms. Nuñez Constant launched AltaMed’s first-ever Civic Engagement Program, designed to strengthen civic health and build community power. One of the program’s hallmark initiatives is My Vote. My Health.—a campaign introduced in 2018 and expanded statewide in 2024. This initiative connects community health centers with local civic engagement organizations to serve as hubs for increasing civic participation and empowering underserved communities throughout California.

In addition to her advocacy work, Ms. Nuñez Constant plays an executive advisory role to the CEO and leadership team, contributing to AltaMed’s organizational growth and expansion strategy.

With more than two decades of experience in the health care sector, Ms. Nuñez Constant has dedicated her career to improving access and outcomes for Medicaid-eligible and underserved populations. Before joining AltaMed, she served as Associate Vice President of Government Contracts at Molina Healthcare—one of the nation’s largest Medicaid managed care organizations—where she also held key leadership roles across Government Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, and Compliance.

Ms. Nuñez Constant serves on various boards including the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California (Chair), Coalition of Orange County Community Health Centers (Chair), CPCA Advocates (Treasurer), and The Children’s Partnership.

Education & Fellowships:

B.A., Sociology, California State University, Long Beach

MPH, University of California, Los Angeles

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Graduate Fellowship

Clinical Assistant Professor,

Baylor University 

Cesia Margarita Sanchez is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Economics. She earned her PhD in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and was a predoctoral fellow at Harvard University. She holds a B.A. in Economics from Texas A&M University. An applied microeconomist, Sanchez’s research focuses on household dynamics, labor markets and social outcomes, with broader interests in demography and health. Her work includes analyses of how young adults’ labor market and social outcomes influence their parents’ retirement decisions. During her spare time, Sanchez loves to play board games with her family and train for triathlon events.

Assistant Professor of Political Science, 

Moreno Valley College

Dr. Claudia Sandoval is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Moreno Valley College. Her research examines Black–Latino relations, Latino political behavior, and transnational politics. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, Latino Rebels, and academic journals including Ethnic and Racial Studies. She is also a frequent commentator on political events for Univision and Telemundo. Dr. Sandoval immigrated from Mexico as a child and was raised in Inglewood, California. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from UCLA and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Chicago.

Founder,

Amalú Therapy & Wellness

Norma Garcia, LCSW, is a first-generation Latina therapist, somatic relationship coach, sound bath practitioner, and founder of Amalú Therapy & Wellness. She brings over a decade of experience in Los Angeles community mental health, having worked with the Department of Mental Health (DMH), Crisis Mobile Response Team, and LAUSD, before transitioning into private practice and holistic wellness. Rooted in her lived experience and clinical training, her work centers the relational and nervous-system impacts of intergenerational trauma, first-generation identity, and family dynamics within Latina communities. Through trauma-informed, culturally rooted, energy-based, and ancestral healing approaches, Norma supports Latinas in cultivating self-trust, emotional safety, and embodied well-being.

Director,
UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center

Co-Founder,
Latinas Futures Lab 2050

Dr. Veronica Terriquez is Director of the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center and co-founder of the Latina Futures 2050 Lab. She holds faculty appointments in the César E. Chávez Department of Chicana/o and Central American Studies and the Department of Urban Planning. Her research examines social inequality, civic engagement, immigrant integration, gender, and youth transitions to adulthood. Dr. Terriquez’s scholarship has been published in the American Sociological Review, Social Problems, Gender & Society, Feminist Studies, Social Science & Medicine, among other academic journals. Her recent book, Learning to Lead: Youth Organizing in Immigrant Communities (Russell Sage Foundation, Rose Series, 2026), explores the organizational practices that prepare young people to lead grassroots campaigns. With more than two decades of collaboration with community-based organizations, her work circulates in over 50 publicly accessible reports and contributes to policies and programs impacting Latinas, youth, and other diverse populations. Dr. Terriquez earned her Ph.D. in Sociology from UCLA, a Master’s degree in Education from UC Berkeley, and a B.A. in Sociology from Harvard University.

Associate Director of Advocacy & Community,

AARP

Sr. Manager of Multiplatform Partnerships,

The Walt Disney Company

Tanya Hong Sanchez is a Sr. Manager of the Multiplatform Partnerships team, within the Disney Entertainment Television Group, managing digital distribution partnership marketing for Linear TV Programming and Studio Film content. She oversees the digital go-to-market strategy team for transactional New Releases and multi-billion-dollar accounts. With 20-years of experience in the entertainment industry, Tanya has worked at numerous reputable companies such as Paramount, DC Comics, Warner Elektra Atlantic, and Fox. She’s a first-generation successful marketing professional with local roots in Koreatown. She has a passion for empowering BIPOC communities and celebrating their diverse cultures and voices.

Director of Commercial and Marketing Strategy,

The Walt Disney Company

Susana Carranza is an accomplished executive with extensive experience across multiple sectors, including consumer packaged goods, advertising, telecommunications, hospitality, and entertainment. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees from California State University, Long Beach, as well as an MBA from Arizona State University. For over ten years, Susana has made significant contributions to The Walt Disney Company, leading major initiatives such as milestone celebrations, the launch of new themed lands and attractions, the evolution and reintroduction of the annual passholder program, and the Disney Experiences synergy that supported the rollout of Disney+. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Susana serves as an executive advisor to Heritage. Optimism. Legacy. Allyship (HOLA) Belonging Employee Resource Group, has served on a nonprofit board, and actively volunteers at her children’s school. She is also a lecturer at California State University, Long Beach, where she has spent three years teaching capstone business management courses, reflecting her commitment to guiding future leaders in their career journeys. A passionate advocate for women’s soccer, Susana is proud of her two daughters, who have been involved in the sport since childhood, and her husband, who dedicates his free time to coaching them. As the daughter of immigrant parents who pursued a dream for a better life, Susana attributes much of her success to their unwavering belief in her potential and is honored to have realized a fulfilling career thanks to their support.

Director of Multicultural, Global Publicity,

The Walt Disney Company

Sara Ceberio Gorostiza is a senior bilingual PR & marketing leader with recognized experience driving culturally resonant, large-scale campaigns across film, television, live entertainment and streaming. She currently sits as the Director of Multicultural PR at Disney Studios, spearheading 25+ annual 360 campaigns on all theatrical and streaming titles, impactfully reaching US domestic Latinx, AANHPI, Black and Native audiences.

Sr. Director of Programming & Acquisitions,

ESPN

Sonia Gomez Baker is the Senior Director of Programming & Acquisitions at ESPN, where she leads the acquisitions strategy and media rights negotiations for distribution of Soccer, Special Olympics, and Olympics content across linear, digital and DTC platforms for the U.S. territory. Sonia and her team also manage the external relationships in those categories with various leagues and partners such as LaLiga, the Bundesliga, NWSL, IOC, Special Olympics, and more. She is also the Programming Lead for ESPN Deportes, the company’s Spanish-language network in the U.S., and the ESPN Audience Expansion Priority focusing on U.S. Hispanic Strategy.

She started at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, CT in 2011, as a Manager, Programming and Acquisitions for ESPN Deportes, focusing on content acquisition. In 2012, she transitioned to the role of Director, Programming and Acquisitions focusing on the Soccer category for the U.S. market. Sonia has since led company-wide efforts for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, UEFA EURO 2016 and 2020, and the UEFA Women’s EURO 2021. In addition to her current responsibilities, she has worked on the NFL, MLB, Little League, Tennis, Rugby, and Golf categories over the years. In September of 2016, Sonia relocated to the ESPN office in Los Angeles in her current role.

Sonia was the Co-Leader of SOMOS ESPN (Latino/Hispanic BERG) from late 2013 – 2016 and continues to be an active member of the group. Sonia also participates across various Disney/ESPN programs including ESPN Women, the Team Activities council within the Programming Department’s Culture Council, and as a Mentor in the Disney Mentoring Circles Program. She is also a graduate of the NAMIC ELDP Program (2017-2018) and WICT Betsy Magness Leadership Institute (2022). Sonia was selected as one of the 2023 WICC Best XI honorees which includes athletes, executives, journalists & activists who are doing the most to advance women’s soccer.

She began her career at Fox Sports in Los Angeles in 2004. In 2007, Sonia moved to New York and was an Account Executive at Major League Baseball in the International Broadcast Division until she made the move to ESPN in 2011.

She currently resides in Orange County, California with her husband, Ben, son, Rafa (7) and their dog, Mack. A native of southern California, Sonia attended Cal State Fullerton and earned a B.A. in Communications, with an emphasis in Public Relations. She is an avid Manchester United fan and loves to cook and travel.

Director of Supplier Engagement,

Target

Karen Tobler is a advocate for inclusive sourcing and entrepreneurial engagement. With more than 20 years of experience, she currently serves as Director of Supplier Engagement at Target, where she leads an award-winning team focused on fostering a safe, ethical, and efficient supplier ecosystem across indirect categories and Owned Brands.

Karen excels at helping small and diverse businesses navigate opportunities, drawing on her deep expertise in coaching, business development, marketing, and project management. In addition to her corporate leadership, she is a trusted voice across nonprofit and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Her accolades include being named one of the Top 100 Women in Procurement in 2024 and serving as a mentor with the Tory Burch Foundation.

As an immigrant from Latin America, Karen brings deep cultural empathy and pride— she previously served as TriChair for Target’s Hispanic Latino Belonging Community (HLBC) for a 4-year term, where she amplified Latino voices and leadership across the organization. She also dedicates her time to serving on the North Central Minority Supplier Development Council board and advisory committees.

In her personal life, Karen enjoys cooking, gardening, art, and spending time with family and friends. When shopping at Target, she can often be found pointing out small and diverse-owned businesses to her daughter and husband – and promptly placing those items in the cart.

Director,

California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)

Prior to being appointed by Governor Newsom as Director of CalOSBA, Elmy Bermejo was Regional IX Administrator for the United States Small Business Administration from 2022 to 2025. She was the Northern California Director of External Affairs in the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom from 2019 to 2022. Bermejo was a Senior Advisor and Outreach Director for Eleni Kounalakis for Lieutenant Governor from 2017 to 2018. She held several roles in the United States Department of Labor from 2010 to 2017, including Regional Representative and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. Bermejo was Deputy Secretary of External Affairs for the California State and Consumer Services Agency from 2007 to 2008. She was a Special Assistant in the California State Senate from 1998 to 2007. Bermejo is a member of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, the Women’s Foundation of California Board of Directors, the Foundation for California Community Colleges Board of Directors, and the San Francisco Commission on the Environment. She lives in San Francisco.

 Founder and CEO,

LUNA MAGIC

Shaira Jessenia is the Founder and CEO of LUNA MAGIC, an award-winning beauty brand inspired by her Dominican heritage and New York City upbringing. She leads product innovation and national retail expansion, growing the brand into major retailers including Target, Walmart, and CVS.

A former journalist and Ford Oval Journalism Fellow, Shaira holds a B.A. from CUNY, Brooklyn College and completed executive programs at UCLA Anderson and Stanford Graduate School of Business. She is committed to advancing diversity in beauty through bold, culturally inspired products that celebrate self-expression.

Director of Target Accelerators: Activation & Growth,

Target

As Director of the Target Accelerators: Activations and Growth team at Target Corporation, Le’Spencer Walker lends his skills and leads in many areas of the company. The team he currently leads is set to support growth & retention with and for their current emerging & diverse owned business partners; dedicated to developing and providing structured and intentional partnership models for the enterprise. Additionally providing support to identify, develop and guide retail-ready brands aligned to Target strategies through their retail journey.

Over his 15 years at Target, he made and continues to make a conscientious effort to align his work with his passions. He leverages his abilities to drive great partnerships through education with storytelling, creating authentic products, leveraging research to amplify strategy, building tools & resources for small businesses to help them succeed, and passionate about bringing joy to all. Previously as a member of the Target Product Design & Development team, he spent 10 years in an assortment of roles such as Sr Product Engineer, Sr Strategy and Operations lead, and Sr. Brand Management. He designed & developed 1000+ products with 7 patents, co-led the Target Owned Brand team communications strategy, previously a member of the Black History Month enterprise assortment team, and serves as a mentor for Target team members in numerous forums.

A Jackson Mississippi native who resides in Minneapolis with his family; purpose and family drives him; “purpose driven people, lead purpose driven lives and, when we look back, did we do our best?… Because that’s what matters”

Trustee,

California State University

Chief Government Relations Officer,

Youth Leadership Institute

Yammilette Rodriguez is the Chief Government Relations Officer of the Central Valley’s Youth Leadership Institute (YLI), where she advocates for the inclusion of youth in community issues such as policy-making and sustainable social change. She has more than 20 years’ experience in policy advocacy and higher education.

Rodriguez has expanded the youth development program, launched its Merced office and extended programming within the region. Some of YLI’s youth-led projects have focused on the prevention of underage drinking, healthier corner stores, healthy advertising and eating campaigns, and providing access to parks. Nationwide, she trains organizations on how to create strong partnerships between young people and adults to make communities healthier.

Rodriguez earned an associate degree in business from Reedley College, a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a marketing emphasis from California State University, Fresno, and a master’s degree in leadership and organizational studies from Fresno Pacific University. Her thesis was in the area of Latino attainment of higher education. She also has a credential in working with urban youth from Fuller Theological Seminary and has a doctorate in public administration from West Chester University.

Rodriguez and her husband, Jim, served as volunteer senior pastors at a community church from 2011-2018 in southeast Fresno. They have two daughters, Lizette and Juliette, who are currently in elementary school.

Chief Executive Officer,

Everyone On

Norma E. Fernandez is the CEO of Everyone On, a national nonprofit advancing digital opportunity by expanding access to affordable internet, reliable devices, and digital skills training. She joined Everyone On in 2013 to build its Los Angeles presence and became CEO in late 2019, leading the organization through significant growth—doubling staff, expanding to new regions nationwide, and raising more than $10 million to scale the organization’s impact.

Additionally, Norma has led the launch and growth of Everyone On’s Digital Skills Academy, which has trained more than 7,000 people and supported the distribution of thousands of computers to income-insecure households. Building on that foundation, she has helped expand Everyone On’s programming to include AI basics—delivered in partnership with diverse organizations—to strengthen digital confidence, demystify AI tools, and promote safe, responsible, real-world use in everyday life and mission-driven work.

She has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, NPR affiliates, TIME, and Univision, and is a former member of the Communications Equity and Diversity Council of the Federal Communications Commission. Norma holds a B.A. in Sociology and an M.A. in Urban Planning from University of California, Los Angeles.

President,

San José State University

Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson serves as the 31st president of San José State University. Since beginning in January 2023, she has driven strategic growth, earning SJSU an R2 research designation and a #5 ranking among public universities (Wall Street Journal). As an internationally recognized Latina leader with extensive executive experience across multiple state university systems, President Teniente-Matson is a champion for student success and institutional innovation, and her leadership has resulted in new partnerships with leading tech companies, including NVIDIA and Adobe. Her priorities include AI Everywhere, a university-wide initiative to advance SJSU’s leadership in the development, application, and assessment of AI and machine learning. She earned a doctorate from CSU Fresno, an MBA from the University of Alaska Anchorage, and a BBA in Management from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Head of Community Learning & Growth,

PlayLab

Dr. Christyna Serrano (Dr. C) works at the intersection of education, industry, and AI, advancing pathways that expand access and opportunity in an AI-integrated world. As a proud Latina educator and leader, her work centers on ensuring that emerging technologies strengthen — rather than widen — opportunity gaps.

Dr. C serves as Head of Community Learning & Growth at Playlab, where she supports professional learning communities across K–12, community colleges, universities, and workforce systems to design AI tools that enhance teaching, streamline administrative workflows, and prepare learners for evolving careers. Her work is especially focused on supporting diverse public-serving institutions across California, where access and scale matter deeply.

At UC Berkeley, she is an award-winning Berkeley Changemaker Professor whose courses on AI, innovation, and critical pedagogy invite students to see themselves not as passive recipients of technology, but as active builders of solutions. She integrates AI into reflection, research, and teaming while emphasizing the enduring human capabilities of critical thinking, communication, and collaboration.

Across her partnerships with educators, workforce leaders, and industry collaborators, Dr. C advocates for approaches to AI that build power through participation. She believes this moment is not simply about adapting to technological change, but about ensuring communities historically underrepresented in tech are positioned to shape it — piece by piece, building systems that unlock possibility for the next generation.

Host & Founder,

Tamarindo Podcast

Brenda Gonzalez is the creator and co-host of Tamarindo, a Latina empowerment podcast that Oprah Magazine recognized as a resource for learning about race in America. She is also Director of Social Impact and Engagement at VPE, a Latina-led firm, where she provides strategic communications, resource development, and board leadership support to mission-focused organizations and causes. Before that, Brenda served as Regional Director of Affiliate Engagement with UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization. An immigrant from Mexico, Brenda has also lectured in Chicano Studies and Political Science at Cal State Fullerton. 

Managing Partner,

Evitarus

Shakari Byerly, Ph.D., is Managing Partner of Evitarus. Dr. Byerly has more than 20 years of experience designing and conducting survey and focus group research. Dr. Byerly has served as a pollster for a host of businesses, foundations, non-profits, cities, counties, special districts, local school districts, community college districts, colleges and universities, special initiatives, campaigns, and research institutes across the country.

Her research has encompassed multi-lingual and mixed-methods studies related to health care, policy, and equity, mental health, homelessness, and housing, resident attitudes, perceptions, and preferences, conservation and climate, community safety, criminal justice reform, marketing, outreach and education, ballot measure campaigns, transportation, and voter mobilization and turnout.

Dr. Byerly is an active member of the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and Founding Chair of BAAPOR, an AAPOR affinity group that serves as a network of public opinion researchers, scholars, and professionals focused on research, and best practices for conducting research, among Black, African American, and African diaspora populations. She also serves on AAPOR’s Strategic Planning Committee and the Inclusion & Equity Committee.

Dr. Byerly regularly presents academic research and leads polling industry dialogue about the importance of methodologically rigorous sampling of diverse populations and community participatory research. She is also a member of the American Political Science Association (APSA) and the National Conference of Black Political Scientists (NCOBPS).

Prior to EVITARUS, Dr. Byerly was a Senior Vice President at FM3 Research, Manager of the California Governance Project at the Center for Governmental Studies (CGS), and a Policy Consultant to members of the California State Legislature, among other roles in policy, education, and campaigns.

Dr. Byerly earned a Ph.D. in Political Science, along with a Master’s degree, from UCLA’s Political Science Department, a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, and a Bachelor’s degree in Government from Dartmouth College.

Obstetrician and Gynecologist and a Physician Partner,

Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center

Maricela Rodriguez- Gutierrez, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and a Physician Partner with the Southern California Permanente Medical Group at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. She completed her medical degree at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. Prior to medical school, she worked as a biomedical engineer after earning her degree from the University of Southern California and held positions at several biomedical companies, including Merck and Medtronic.

Dr. Rodriguez- Gutierrez embraces leadership roles to drive systemic change.  Currently she serves as the Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Physician Director  at Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles and is the Physician in Charge of the Kaiser Permanente Glendale Orange Medical Office.

An experienced clinician educator, she has held key teaching roles such as Clerkship Director for the Keck School of Medicine of USC and currently serves as an ObGyn Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship Preceptor at the Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. She also contributes medical expertise as a media consultant for national outlets including Univision, Telemundo, and CNN.

Dr. Rodriguez- Gutierrez is dedicated to advancing women’s health and equity, mentorship, and community engagement. The daughter of Mexican and Salvadoran immigrants who worked in Los Angeles’ service industry, she draws on her lived experiences to inspire others to overcome challenges and pursue their aspirations. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with family and friends, watching films from the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema, gardening, and dancing.

VP of Student Services,

Mt. San Antonio College

District 1, 

Riverside County Board of Supervisors

Supervisor Jose Medina was elected to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors in November 2024 and proudly represents the 1st Supervisorial District, which includes the cities of Riverside, Perris, and portions of Jurupa Valley, as well as the unincorporated communities of Good Hope, Highgrove, and Mead Valley.

An educator for 35 years, Supervisor Medina saw firsthand how education empowers individuals to build better futures. His passion for supporting students beyond the classroom inspired him to pursue public office. He was first elected to the Jurupa Unified School District Board of Education and later served three successful terms on the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees.

In 2012, he was elected to the California State Assembly, representing the 61st Assembly District, which included the cities of Riverside, Moreno Valley, Perris, and the unincorporated community of Mead Valley. Serving five successful terms, he was a steadfast advocate for students, teachers, families, and the Inland Empire, championing legislation and securing critical funding for higher education, healthcare access, affordable housing, the arts, and social justice initiatives.

Over his tenure, he introduced over 150 legislative measures and helped deliver more than $250 million from the State Budget to the 61st Assembly District. His efforts funded key projects such as UC Riverside and its School of Medicine, the Cesar Chavez Community Center, the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art, Culture & Industry, Foss Field Park, Harada House, Mission Heritage Plaza, and the Trujillo Adobe.

Now serving on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Medina remains dedicated to fostering economic growth, supporting small businesses and families, and ensuring a prosperous future for all Riverside County residents.

A lifelong resident of Riverside County, Supervisor Medina is a proud UC Riverside alumnus, holding a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies and a master’s degree in history. He has two adult children and two grandchildren and currently resides in Riverside with his wife, Linda.

Trauma-Informed Leadership Coach & Speaker

CEO, Seijas Coaching

Michelle Seijas, Ed.D. is a Latina leader on a mission to support people to reconnect with their true self so they can create systems, relationships, and futures where everyone thrives.

Her passions and values led her to begin her career as a bilingual education teacher. Over her 15 years in K-12 schools, she was an elementary school vice principal, district coordinator, and high school principal. A desire grew to pursue a doctorate. It was fueled by knowing that less than 1% of Latinas in the US have completed doctoral studies. She earned her doctorate focused on solutions to the systemic devaluation of Latino students.

During a 6-month sabbatical in 2017, she wrote a dream job description with no title, clear on what she needed to thrive in her professional and personal life. She re-emerged to now live the life she dreamed about, wrote about, put action to, and continues to carry out with intention.

Vice President Local Public Affairs,

Southern California Edison

Karla Diaz Sayles is vice president of Local Public Affairs at Southern California Edison, one of the nation’s largest electric utilities. She leads the company’s efforts to build strong relationships with local governments and community leaders, representing SCE before local and regional government officials and their staffs, including district offices of state and federal officials, as well as local and regional business organizations.
Most recently, Sayles worked in the governor’s office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) as deputy director of the California Film Commission overseeing film permitting, tax incentives, location resources and on-location production support. Previously, she served as director of public affairs at Warner Bros. Discovery, managing public affairs strategies and stakeholder engagement. Before that, she was the health deputy for Los Angeles County’s second supervisorial district and held positions at various public affairs firms.

Sayles maintains her commitment to building strong communities through service on several nonprofit boards, including LA Mayor Karen Bass’ Entertainment Industry Council and the advisory board for Zócalo Public Square. She is a member of the Junior League of Los Angeles (president 2018-2019) and is an alumna of HOPE Leadership Institute.

Sayles holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies from Northwestern University.

Vice President of Public Affairs,

AltaMed

Christina Sanchez is the Vice President of Public Affairs at AltaMed Health Services. Since joining AltaMed in 2021 she has built the Public Affairs department to lead the oversight of all multi-faceted public relations and media initiatives. She collaborates across the enterprise to understand offerings, target audiences and growth path to inform and develop multilingual public affairs strategies. AltaMed corporate social responsibility is also under her direction. Prior to joining AltaMed, Christina was senior partner at the Milagro Strategy Group, a full service public affairs firm. A two-time Emmy award winner and seasoned media and government affairs practitioner, Christina has over 25 years’ experience in broadcast media communications with an emphasis in Spanish language public affairs, social marketing, and project management. During her career, Ms. Sanchez previously served 12 years as Public Affairs Director for Univision’s flagship station, KMEX-TV, Channel 34 the leading Spanish-language television station in the country where she was executive producer for high profile special productions and developed custom social marketing campaigns and promotions over multiple media distribution platforms.

Christina is no stranger to AltaMed, she has known the organization since her work in news, tapping into AltaMed’s vast network of subject matter experts. She has also served as consultant for the AltaMed Art Collection during its tour in Mexico in 2018.

CEO & Founder,

Cambalache & Villa Roma Restaurant

Teresa Razo is an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, philanthropist, and a pillar to the community. Her Cambalache and Villa Roma restaurants provided a tremendous amount of support to the community during the pandemic. They partnered with non-profit Illumination Foundation to help and feed the vulnerable homeless community and have prepared over 280,000 meals and counting for homeless shelters Among other selfless acts is partnering with non-profit, Delivering with Dignity, in making and delivering quality and nutritional food to the most vulnerable communities in Orange County.

Development Manager,

The LA Local

National Board Chair,

National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP)

With over 12 years of experience in the real estate industry, Olivia Chavez is a dedicated professional with Mission Real Estate. A graduate of California State University, Northridge, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Consumer Aairs, and a minor in Chicano Studies. As a manager at her oice and the director of the in-house real estate school, Olivia plays a pivotal role in mentoring and guiding new agents, ensuring their success in the industry. Being the daughter of immigrant parents and the first in her family to earn a college degree, Olivia deeply values education and the opportunities it creates.

Olivia is an active leader in her local real estate association, serving as a Board Director and member of the Executive Committee. Her committee work has included roles as Grievance Chair, Ethics & Arbitration Liaison, and contributor to Professional Standards, Governmental Aairs, and Education Committees. She further demonstrated her commitment to the real estate profession as the 2017 President of the NAHREP San Fernando Chapter, a role that has led to national leadership positions, including NAHREP National Coach, National Advisor, and Northwest Region Liaison.

Olivia’s extensive network and relationships have been instrumental in expanding her business and fostering generational wealth within her community. She specializes in working with first-time homebuyers, providing education and guidance throughout the home-buying process. Known for her ability to connect with clients and bring comfort to what can be an overwhelming experience, Olivia takes pride in helping families achieve the dream of homeownership. With a focus on creating lasting relationships and delivering exceptional service, Olivia Chavez continues to make a meaningful impact on her clients and the real estate community.

Owner,

Meza Talbott Law

Genoveva Meza Talbott is the founder of Meza Talbott Law, where she guides families through the legal frameworks that protect wealth, preserve legacies, and prevent avoidable crises during life’s most significant transitions.

As an estate planning and family law attorney, Genoveva specializes in helping individuals and families build the legal infrastructure their financial lives depend on. She ensures that what they’ve worked to create actually reaches the people they intend to benefit. Her practice focuses on prenuptial agreements, collaborative divorces, estate planning, trust administration, probate avoidance, and the often-overlooked legal strategies that turn assets into protected, transferable wealth.

A graduate of UCLA and USC Law School, Genoveva began her career handling high-stakes family law litigation at prominent Los Angeles firms. After nearly two decades in complex divorce matters, she shifted her focus to preventative legal planning. She recognized that the families who plan well avoid the courtroom entirely. Today, her work centers on empowering clients to make informed, strategic decisions about marriage, divorce, asset protection, beneficiary designations, and succession planning long before a crisis forces their hand.

As one of only 2% of Latina attorneys in the United States and a third-generation lawyer, Genoveva brings cultural fluency and lived understanding to her practice. Fluent in Spanish and English, she works extensively with immigrant families and first-generation wealth builders who are navigating legal systems that were not designed with them in mind. Her approach is grounded in clarity, accessibility, and respect for the specific contexts her clients bring, whether that’s blended or complex family structures, or the quiet responsibility of being the first in a family to build something that lasts.

Genoveva helps clients answer the questions that matter: Who makes decisions if you can’t? What happens to your home, your savings, your business? How do you ensure your children inherit security, not conflict?

She lives in Claremont with her husband and two children and remains committed to the principle that thoughtful planning is an act of love and one of the most powerful tools families have to build generational stability.

Managing Director, First American Agency

Senior Vice President, National Agency Division

First American Title Insurance Company

Don Kennedy is Managing Director of First American Agency and Senior Vice President of the National Agency Division for First American Title Insurance Company. In these roles, he leads strategic initiatives and supports agency operations at a national level.

Most recently, Don served as Vice President and Area Manager for Direct Title Operations in Southern California and Arizona. Previously, he was Division Counsel for the company’s Database Solutions and Home Warranty divisions. Prior to joining First American in 2011, Don practiced as a litigation attorney with the global law firm SNR Denton.

Don earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Stanford University and a Juris Doctor from the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific. He is a California resident and active in industry leadership, serving on the Board of Governors of both the California Land Title Association and the American Land Title Association. He also serves as Chair of ALTA’s Underwriter Section Executive Committee. Don resides in Southern California with his wife and their two children.

Eyewitness News Anchor, 

ABC7 Eyewitness News

Jovana Lara is currently weekday anchor for the 11am and 5pm and reports on solutions to community problems for Eyewitness News. Jovana was raised in Glendale after her family emigrated from Cuba when she was a small child. Although she was always interested in broadcasting, Jovana graduated from Loyola Marymount University and originally pursued a career in business.

She started in Palm Springs working weekends for KESQ. After one year of reporting, Jovana was promoted to weekend anchor. Eager to hone her reporting skills, Jovana took on a second job reporting for the Orange County News Channel. She continued to work both in Palm Springs and Orange County until she was hired to report by KNSD in San Diego.

During her first year in San Diego, Jovana won an Emmy for a story about a small village near Tijuana washed away in the 1997 mudslides of El Nino. Two other stories were also Emmy-nominated that year. Later, she won commendations from the San Diego Press club.

Since joining ABC7 Eyewitness News in 2000, Jovana has won four Emmys for her role as co-host on Vista L.A. As a reporter, Jovana has covered everything from breaking news including fires, crimes and natural disasters to in-depth feature stories. She’s traveled to Mexico and Guatemala to cover earthquakes, immigration, and the Pope’s visit as well as ongoing quality of life issues facing both Los Angeles and Mexico City. Jovana is also active on behalf of the station at many community events.

Multidisciplinary Painter and Illustrator

Liseth Amaya is a multidisciplinary Painter and illustrator born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She received her BFA in Fine art from Central St. Martins, London. As a child of immigrant parents from El Salvador and family from Mexico and Honduras, her work touches on the complexities of citizenship, identity, and freedom of mobility. She reflects on the inaccurate representations of Central Americans and the often-negative portrayals that are embedded within mainstream cultural, political, and social institutions. Instead, she demonstrates their multifaceted identities within their own socio-cultural contexts. She has lived and worked in London, Paris and Oaxaca. Her cross-cultural connections allow her to reflect on global migration seen through the lens of her own family’s fragmented and complex history.

Liseth’s work can be found in various private collections in Los Angeles, El Salvador, New York, London, Italy, Mexico and France. Her work has been exhibited In Los Angeles, Ingram Collection UK, The Mall Galleries, and Camden art Center.

Executive Vice President, Chief Community and Stakeholder Engagement Officer, and Target Foundation President

Target

Kiera Fernandez is the executive vice president and chief community and stakeholder engagement officer for Target, and president of the Target Foundation. In her role, she leads teams responsible for the company’s community and philanthropic strategy, including the Target Foundation, external stakeholder engagement and enterprise work around inclusion and belonging. Kiera has extensive leadership experience across human resources, business and retail operations, process and project management, and large-scale frontline leader and team development.

She started her career with the company in 2001, serving as an executive team leader at her store in Arizona. Throughout her more than two decades with the company, Kiera has held a variety of human resources leadership roles in support of business areas from finance to operations, to global supply chain and logistics.

She serves on the board of directors for the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp) and Greater Minneapolis-Saint Paul Partnership (Greater MSP), and the Greater Twin Cities United Way previously. Kiera’s also a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC). Additionally, she is a certified yoga instructor and spends much of her free time teaching and practicing in the community.

Kiera earned her Master of Arts in Human Resource Management from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Engineer,

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)

Janisse Quiñones is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the nation’s largest publicly-owned water and power utility. She leads the organization of nearly 12,000 employees, delivering water and power to the four million residents of Los Angeles.

Ms. Quiñones has over 25 years of leadership experience as a senior executive in utility and engineering industries and joined LADWP from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), where she first served as Senior Vice President of Gas Engineering and then as Senior Vice President of Electric Operations. In the latter, she oversaw electrical system operations and the power generation fleet, as well as the management of electrical assets that support the California Independent System Operator.

Prior to PG&E, Ms. Quiñones served as the Vice President of Gas Systems Engineering for National Grid, where she managed the engineering and design of natural gas distribution, transmission and infrastructure projects for National Grid’s U.S. territory, and oversaw various meter compliance, design and construction projects.

Ms. Quiñones’ experience also includes serving in the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), both full-time and in the reserves, from 2004-2025. She is a retired USCG Commander and previously served as Deputy, Planning and Incident Management. She also has held prior key leadership roles at Cobra Energy, including Vice President of Operations, responsible for the restoration and reconstruction projects of the transmission and distribution electrical systems in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. She also held several leadership roles at San Diego Gas & Electric, including Director of Design, Planning, Construction and Vegetation Management.

Ms. Quiñones was born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico, and attended the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Campus, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (Magna Cum Laude). She holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Advanced Studies in International Relations and is a licensed Professional Engineer in five states. She is a proud wife and mom of five and a 14-year-old puppy.

Chief Executive Officer,

Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE)

Academy Award Winning Producer,

Walt Disney Animation Studios

Yvett Merino (Producer) previously produced Walt Disney Animation Studios’ record-breaking hit, “Moana 2,” the short film, “Once Upon a Studio,” and the Academy Award®-winning “Encanto.” She is the first Latina to receive the Oscar® for Animated Feature for her work on that film. Merino first came to Disney Animation more than 25 years ago and has worked in a variety of production capacities on some of the most popular animated features of all time. Launching her Disney Animation career in the Technology department, she moved into the world of Production as a supervisor on “Tangled” and continued in that role on “The Lion King 3D,” “Wreck It Ralph” and in Disney Animation’s Development department. She then went on to serve as production manager on the Oscar®-winning feature, “Big Hero 6,” as well as the Oscar®-nominated “Moana.”

Merino produced “Zootopia 2,” which is the highest-grossing animated MPA film of all time and is now the 8th highest-grossing movie of all time. She is the first animation producer to have two-billion-dollar films in a row, with “Moana 2” and “Zootopia 2.” Earlier this year, Merino received the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film for her work on “Zootopia 2.” The film is currently nominated for Best Animated Feature Film at the Academy Awards®.

Merino was also a part of the team that started Voces@Disney, the Studio’s first Latinx employee resource group, where she served as co-president for two years and currently as an Executive Champion for the group.

Merino lives in Los Angeles, Calif., with her family. She holds an MBA from Loyola Marymount University and an undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Founder & CEO, Operativo

HOPE Board Chair

Local Government Affairs Manager,

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Erica Cabrera is a Central Valley native and HOPE Leadership Institute Alumnus, Class of 2013. She currently works for Pacific Gas & Electric as a Central Coast-Central Valley Local Government Affairs Manager servicing Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, & Tulare Counties. Erica earned a Master of Arts in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Fresno Pacific University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Fresno. She has 10 years of experience working in local and state government; which includes serving as District Director for former Assemblymember Henry T. Perea.