Eighteen leaders from across Massachusetts and Greater Houston will embark on prestigious education fellowship and prepare to serve on nonprofit boards

Boston, Massachusetts – Latinos For Education announced the dynamic group of leaders who will participate in its 2024 Latino Board Fellowship, which develops and places Latino professionals onto the governing boards of schools and education nonprofit organizations. Eighteen Latino business and education leaders across Massachusetts and Greater Houston have been selected to participate in the six-month program.

Throughout the program, Fellows will participate in comprehensive training and a rigorous cultivation process to grow their leadership skills, understand the roles and responsibilities of governing boards, budgets and financial sustainability, and the role board members can play in advancing educational equity and opportunity. The program matches each fellow with the most appropriate local organization’s governing Board of Directors at the end of the program. Previous Latino Board Fellows, now more than 100, have been placed on boards and organizations across several industries including nonprofit organizations, research institutions, and schools across Massachusetts and Houston.

“To ensure we have a growing network of Latinos who are making decisions within the educational ecosystem on behalf of Latino children and families, we need to increase representation at every level,” said Amanda Fernandez, CEO and Founder of Latinos for Education. “Currently, Latinos represent only 2% of board members in education nonprofit organizations. Each of these Fellows plays a pivotal role in addressing educational inequity and influencing better educational outcomes for our students.”

This year’s Latino Board Fellows include the following leaders:

Houston Board Fellows:

  • Angel Hinojosa, Project Manager-Engineering, Harris County Precinct 4
  • Brenda Brombacher, Director of Economic Development, Harris County
  • Celeste Barretto Milligan, Chief Strategist, The Women’s Home
  • Gisela Villarreal, Human Resources Manager, H-E-B
  • Max Moll, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs
  • Myrla Feria, Managing Partner, TNTP
  • Renata Garcia Vazquez, Associate, Blackstone
  • Yvonne Trejo, MBA Candidate, Rice University

Massachusetts Board Fellows: 

  • Gustavo Luna, Founder, Kern Tutoring, Ed.L.D at the Harvard Graduate School of Education
  • Giselle Ortega, Marketing and Business Development, Macro Construction LLC
  • Tarah Mohika, Director of Talent, The Community Group, Inc
  • Melisa Alves, Associate Dean, Director of Career Planning, Clark University
  • Nathalie Merida, Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Transformation, Berkshire Bank
  • Ana María Gomez, Rockland Trust VP, Community Development Officer
  • Steven Ramirez, School Funding Manager, Boston Public Schools
  • Maddy Rodriguez, Partner, Foley Hoag LLP
  • Darguin Fortuna, Architect & Principal, Flow Design
  • Mariela Abreu, Chief of Staff, OnYourMark Education 

To find out more information about this year’s fellows and the Latino Board Fellowship program, please visit: https://www.latinosforeducation.org/latino-board-fellowship/ 

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About Latinos for Education:

Latinos for Education is a national education non-profit organization focused on developing, placing, and connecting essential Latino talent in the education sector. The organization is mobilizing a network of skilled education leaders to ensure the voice of students and families is not only heard but factored into decision-making in schools, communities and education institutions throughout the U.S. The organization also ensures Latino education professionals have access to a nationwide network of peers as well as career and professional development opportunities across the country through the members-only EdCentro network. For more information visit: https://www.latinosforeducation.org.

Media Relations Contact:

Anthony Perez
714-623-2650
[email protected]