The Hispanic Leaders in Education Program is intended for Hispanic leaders who want to teach their communities how to gain access to educational opportunities through school choice. Through in-person and virtual training sessions, participants will become well-versed on how school choice can help Hispanic students and join a national network of school choice leaders.
Hispanic families across the United States are voicing their support for school choice programs in a movement that shows no sign of slowing down. The American Federation for Children Growth Fund (Federación Americana para los Niños) launched the Hispanic Leaders in Education Program to connect education ambassadors across key states and equip Latinos nationwide with the tools necessary to expand educational opportunities.
Phone: 702-351-3448
Email: vgurr@federationforchildren.org
Valeria Gurr serves as Senior Fellow for the American Federation for Children and is a passionate advocate for educational choice and underserved families. Valeria created the Federación Americana Para Los Niños, which seeks to bring information about school choice to Hispanic communities. She is devoted to helping families access high-quality education. Before joining AFC, she worked for the Nevada Institute for Children’s Research & Policy (NICRP) team as a program manager. She successfully provided child maltreatment prevention training to help empower both parents and the general community. Valeria earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations with a minor in Marketing at Duo UC of The Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in 2009, and a Master of Arts degree in Journalism and Media Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in 2013. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in Public Affairs at UNLV. Valeria loves riding her bike, exploring nature, and going on adventures with her son during her free time.
Monica Yelin was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and immigrated to the United States in 1998. She earned her master’s degree in international relations and political science from Long Island University. While volunteering for various causes, her commitment to education and advocacy flourished. Her professional experience spans the private, public, political, and nonprofit sectors, showcasing her versatile skill set and dedication to societal progress. Currently, Monica serves as the Executive Director of the Hispanic Liberty Alliance, where she spearheads initiatives to uplift the Hispanic community, all with a key focus on promoting awareness about Empowerment Scholarship Accounts. Monica’s advocacy extends to championing the principles of school choice. She firmly believes that education should adapt to the individual needs of each child, not the other way around. She is a testament to the millions of migrants who thrive in America and have realized their dreams with determination and dedication. Monica also remains a proud Latino immigrant who embodies the spirit of success that defines this great nation.
Balvanera Nelly Valles has been an education advocate for AFC for more than seven years. She has helped empower hundreds of families to choose the best education for their children in Arizona. At the same time, Nelly collaborates as a call center agent at Arizona State University’s WeGrad program, helping parents of middle and high school students improve academic success and prepare them for college and beyond.
Previously, Nelly worked as a facilitator, recruiter, and call center supervisor while managing various administrative functions in the ASU-ADA program. Through this program, parents and students take an active role in education.
Nelly has a bachelor’s degree with honors in accounting from the Technological Institute of Huatabampo. She also obtained recognitions for her academic and work performance in both the U.S. and Mexico. She has a passion for helping and serving others, especially in education.
In her free time, Nelly enjoys walking and spending quality time with her husband and her two children, Emily and Ethan, whether it be by vacationing or visiting beautiful places around Arizona
Alexis Marie Liggett was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona, a place she loves dearly. She grew up in a strong united family which shaped her values. Alexis owns Liggett Electrical Services LLC along with her husband of 11 years. She is also the mother of two children who fueled her passion for disability advocacy and awareness and inspired her to co-found the Inspire HI Project, a nonprofit aimed at inclusivity. Her dedication to disability inclusion in her rural community earned her the honor of being named the Arizona Community Foundation of Yuma’s 2023 Philanthropist of the Year. She is the youngest recipient and the first Hispanic woman to ever receive this award. Alexis educates others on home health and the care of medically complex individuals throughout the state by partnering with Disability Rights Arizona. In 2021, she became an AZ Partner in Leadership Advocacy Training graduate, which gave her a valuable experience that empowered her advocacy efforts. Her family and faith in God are her sources of strength, driving her ongoing mission to help others.
Mailyn Salabarria has been a relentless advocate of individual natural rights for the last 23 years, focusing on the proper role of government and why it is important that we do not take our freedom for granted. As the proverbial child of the state and a product of communist-controlled schools in Cuba, she is passionate about educational freedom, transparency, and parental rights. Mailyn has earned a law degree from Havana University and a master’s degree in mass communication and journalism from Florida International University. In addition, Mailyn is a 2016 graduate of the Leadership Program of the Rockies, a 2016 Defender of Capitalism Finalist, and a 2024 Fellow at The Heritage Academy. She is the mother of two first-generation American students of Cuban descent. Mailyn is a multifaceted professional who works with outreach, engagement, and political consulting services in the Hispanic community. Along with sharing her testimony about life under totalitarianism, she loves coaching and providing advocacy training on the importance of persuasive messaging at the grassroots level. In addition, Mailyn is a public speaker for The Dissident Project, Rocky Mountain Voice Media, and Ladies of Liberty Alliance, and is a frequent commentator on national TV and radio outlets in English and Spanish.
Geri Chaffee is a former English Language Learner and a passionate education advocate. She has dedicated her life to empowering families with strategy, resources, and information to ensure a high-quality, free, and accessible education for every child. As President of PDO.org, she works with individual schools, districts, nonprofits, social services, and state DOEs. Geri is also the host and producer of Por Nuestros Niños-a national radio show and podcast-that advises Spanish-speaking families on how to support their children’s educational journeys from early learning through college. She founded Dreamers Academy, a dual-language Spanish immersion public charter school in Sarasota, Florida, serving 640 students and designated an “A” school for its astounding academic proficiency scores. She is also a founding member of Florida’s Association of Bilingual Education (FABE) and serves on the cabinet of two community partnership schools in the Manatee School District. Geri has a master’s in education leadership from the University of South Florida and a second master’s in education policy and social Analysis from Columbia University. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies at Vanderbilt University.
Aimée Dobles is an immigrant from Costa Rica and a single mother of two boys who are recipients of the Step Up For Students scholarship. This scholarship has allowed them to attend Christopher Columbus High School, a private Catholic school in Miami, Florida. During her children’s elementary years, they lived in a coastal area in Costa Rica where Aimée discovered her drive to empower children from less fortunate backgrounds so that they can have a bright future like the one she was paving for her sons. She decided to become a volunteer English teacher for children in a very poor neighboring area. Being in a touristic region, Aimée knew the impact that learning English would have on these groups of kids and their career opportunities. After moving to the U.S. in 2019, Aimée’s sons attended a public middle school and transitioned to a private high school education through Step Up. She noticed a significant improvement in her sons’ lives. One of her sons previously battled academic setbacks from ADD but was able to find the help he needed. After seeing both kids reach another level of excellence by collectively winning over 60 national and regional awards with CCNN Live, Aimée committed to advocating for the Step Up For Students program and empowering more families.
Madeline Gregory, originally from Panama, is a fervent advocate for education choice systems. Currently, she is an Operations Manager at Soar Academy Augusta. Madeline champions opportunities for ESL and neurodivergent students, lobbying at state and national capitols. She is proactive in community engagement, hosting events like the National School Choice Week Expo for Augusta, Georgia in 2024, and the first CSRA Science Homeschool Fair. Her dedication extends to volunteering in Hispanic community activities and aspiring to bring non-traditional education to Latin countries. Supported by the Yass Prize and Soar Academy, Madeline is making a tangible impact on educational equity and innovation.
Elena Nebot del Valle was born in Toledo, Spain, and practiced her degree teaching “English as a second language” in Madrid at Centro Universitario Villanueva (Complutense Madrid College). Before that, she received an associate’s degree in early childhood education in Pamplona, Spain. Elena then worked in Spain as a teacher in various Catholic schools. In 2015, she applied for a program to teach Spanish in the U.S. and received a position in a Catholic school in Des Moines, Iowa. Elena has continued to work there ever since and is a part of their dual Spanish/English program. She enjoys working with kids and their families and sharing her culture with others. Working in a school made her realize how important it is to be a good leader and a role model for others. Elena is also a mom of two and enjoys traveling to different countries and dancing ballet.
Marisol Guerra Cubas was born and raised in La Lima, Honduras, and has experience teaching multilingual and immersion students for over three decades. She attended the La Lima American School and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Universidad Nacional Autónoma and a Master of Arts in Curriculum Development and Instruction Specialist from Longwood University. Marisol also taught an English immersion program at the Escuela Internacional in Honduras. In 2010, Marisol moved to Des Moines, Iowa, to start a Spanish immersion program at St. Anthony’s Catholic School where she became the lead teacher. She loves helping children become more empathetic and understanding of other cultures and people through the teaching/learning of a second language and its culture. Because of this program, the Spanish-speaking community at the church and school significantly increased. The program also gave Hispanic parents a feeling of safety and belonging as they were able to express their needs and know what was happening in their children’s lives. Marisol also became the translator for the church and an interpreter for the Spanish-speaking parents. She has a passion for teaching and learning alongside her students and helping families feel safe, welcome, and connected to the community.
Sharina Taveras López is a distinguished graduate of McDaniel College, holding a bachelor’s degree in Hispanic communication and literature with a minor in Digital Journalism. Sharina has a long, successful history of reporting and participating in political campaigns and programs in Rhode Island and Maryland. She became Noticias Para Inmigrantes Instagram channel leader and on-camera talent, showcasing her exceptional skills in producing high-quality content and breaking news coverage. Her passion for storytelling and meticulous attention to detail have enabled her to cover a diverse range of topics, including national/local news, politics, entertainment, and human-interest stories. Sharina’s dedication to producing insightful and compelling narratives underscores her professionalism and high-level skills in journalism, making her an invaluable asset in her work and boosting her media presence. Sharina has also partnered with Conoce tus Opciones Escolares, a non-profit organization that is a national leader in providing resources and valuable information so that parents can learn about al school options in the United States. Through her collaboration, she shared information about the different types of schools available to the community. In addition, Sharina along with Conoce tus Opciones Escolares, created a live video in which they answered questions from viewers and gave them resources to help them find the best schools for their children. From all the content created, Sharina was able to reach more than 100,000 users on Instagram and TikTok.
Yicel Hernandez is an Administrative Assistant at All Saints Catholic School in Omaha, Nebraska. She is passionate about education, knowledge acquisition, and personal growth. Yicel attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha where she earned a bachelor’s degree in foreign language with a concentration in Spanish and obtained minors in English and Business. In addition, she is a part-time Adult ESL Instructor at the nonprofit organization Completely Kids. Yicel works with and for Hispanic/Latino adults who are persevering individuals trying to better themselves and ameliorate their children’s lives. Like her, they value quality education. Yicel credits her parents for her passion because although they had little to no schooling, they taught her the importance of learning and improving yourself while maintaining your core values. School choice was unknown to her parents, but now it’s vital to Yicel as she wants her younger sister, the families she works with, and everyone else around her, to obtain the best education possible to break cycles of poverty and illiteracy. Through her life and job experiences, Yicel has concluded that her life goal is to serve others and help them attain more than what she has.
Isabel Carranza is an immigrant from Venezuela. She is a mother of three, with her eldest son going to college in the fall of 2024 and her twins attending a private high school. Early in their education, Isabel noticed the lack of information that many parents in her community had on education alternatives aside from public schools. Based on this experience, Isabel decided to encourage and educate her community about the different education alternatives available, which include the NC Opportunity Scholarship. Even though her family didn’t qualify for the scholarship at the beginning of the program, it motivated her to help her community take advantage of this amazing opportunity through individual conversations and later through group talks. Isabel saw the benefits of having school choices not only through her kids but also through the many other kids that were looking not only for quality education, including Christian education, which is only achievable through a private school. Isabel’s children’s school asked her to be their liaison for new Hispanic families to help them navigate their transition and teach them about the opportunities available in the private school. Isabel has been doing this for the last 13 years, and she finds great satisfaction in educating her community about their kids’ education choices and witnessing the success of many children.
Maria Elizabeth Cortez is the Assistant Director of Community Affairs in the Mayor’s Office of Columbus, Ohio. With a background in education and social work, Maria brings a deep commitment to community advocacy and social justice. Throughout her career, Maria has been a dynamic leader in various community boards and initiatives, focusing on uplifting the Latino and immigrant populations in Columbus. Her efforts have fostered greater inclusion, support, and opportunities for al neighbors, significantly impacting the community’s well-being and cohesion. In her current role, Maria continues to champion community engagement, working closely with diverse groups to address their needs and promote equitable development. Her dedication and strategic vision have made her an integral part of the city’s efforts to build a more inclusive and supportive environment for all its neighbors. Maria puts the needs of the community first, constantly working to find solutions and services for those who are underrepresented. She is an expert in building partnerships. That expertise benefits the populations she serves, both in the public and private sectors.
Laura Kreber is an active advocate for Latino families who struggle with language barriers. She has worked for 16 years in education and is currently the Director of Student Services at S.t Cecilia School in Columbus, Ohio. Laura helps bridge the gap for the many Latino families looking for a Catholic education in the United States. She is dedicated to ensuring that all families feel welcome, providing help in completing paperwork and receiving all communications in their home language. Laura developed the Madrina program in her school, giving Latina mothers a voice and allowing them an active role in the school community. She has been instrumental in organizing cultural celebrations that allowed the school to appreciate and embrace the Latino culture. She has become a spiritual mother for her community and so many young children who see her. In addition to the work she does in the school, Laura was instrumental in starting a Spanish ministry in the parish. She supported the first-ever Spanish mass at St. Cecilia, started a weekly devotion of the Rosary for Mary in the month of May, organized lectors and altar servers, and continues to be instrumental in making all new attendees feel welcome.
Lissette Lopez is a proud first-generation Cuban American who grew up in the vibrant city of Miami, Florida. Pursuing her passion for education, Lissette ventured westward to UCLA for a teaching program, where she honed her skills and embraced new opportunities. Now, she lives in Tennessee with her family and two children. Lissette is deeply committed to education and community empowerment. As a member of Latinos For TN, she strives to educate and activate the Latin community in Middle Tennessee, fostering engagement and advocacy. Additionally, she is involved with the organization Men of Valor which allows her to support individuals in their journey toward positive change. Lissette also serves on the boards of various nonprofits, where she dedicates her time and energy to giving back to the community. Whether it’s fundraising for her children’s collegiate academy or promoting school choice initiatives, Lissette is passionate about creating opportunities for growth and success. In addition to her community work, she is a successful realtor with Keller Williams, where she helps individuals find their dream homes and invest in their futures. Through her work, Lissette aims to build strong communities and empower individuals to achieve their goals.
Pati Castillo is a passionate advocate and a seasoned Operations Manager at Families Empowered, a role she has dedicated herself to since 2019. With a profound understanding of the challenges immigrant families face, particularly regarding education, Pati’s journey into advocacy stems from her own experiences navigating the complex landscape of school options in the 1990s. Her struggles ignited a fervent desire to ease this process for others in similar situations. This drive led her to Families Empowered, where she channels her empathy and expertise into supporting parents on their educational journeys.
Amarilys Galindo is an educator and entrepreneur originally from Puerto Rico, now residing in San Antonio, Texas. She is the CEO of Tri-Lin Integrated Services, a publishing and translation company. Her company serves as a vendor for different state assessment contracts supporting the accommodation offered to bilingual students. As a grandmother, Amarilys wanted to provide her grandchildren a place where they were loved, taught Christian values, and could grow in a bicultural environment. She established a daycare to provide this for her grandchildren and the children of her employees. Years later, according to Amarilys, the Lord put in her heart to support other families with the same need, and thus, Vineyard Christian School was born. This school serves children from three months to high school. Amarilys is very passionate about this school, and her goal is to continue to support Christian families with an option to provide their children with an excellent education in a Christian environment. This school is a place where beliefs are supported and everyone prioritizes the growth of children’s faith.
Guadalupe “Lupita” Howell was born and raised in Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, México and graduated from the Universidad Autónoma de Cd. Jurez with a law degree. In addition, she served as a state labor judge and worked in various legal practice areas, including juvenile justice and family law. In 1992, Lupita immigrated to the United States and became a certified paralegal in the state of Texas. She moved to Tennessee in 2013 and further became active in her community by working as a school choice advocate with the American Federation for Children of Tennessee. She was a Regional Field Representative in Governor Bill Lee’s successful 2022 re-election campaign, among many other roles, including promoting the Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) amongst the Hispanic community. Lupita also serves as the Hispanic church outreach coordinator for organizations: Latinos for Tennessee and Men of Valor prison ministry.
Elisa is the Chief Operating Officer of the American Federation for Children, the nation’s largest school choice advocacy organization. She has nearly 20 years of experience in the school choice space, helping to pass school choice laws in Utah before joining AFC in 2012. Previous roles at AFC included Managing Director of Development and Vice President of Operations. She also previously worked for Career Step, an online job training school. Elisa has a bachelor’s degree with honors in English and a master’s in business administration, both from Brigham Young University.
As the AFC National Correspondent, Kim Martinez is a professional storyteller who travels around the country capturing the many empowering stories of families who benefit from school choice. When in her home state of Arizona, she heads state media, messaging, and communications efforts as the Arizona Communications Director. Previously, Kim was an award-winning television news anchor and reporter in Phoenix. She has covered thousands of stories during her career including reporting for CNN and the Weather Channel on big news days. While Kim has covered many stories over the years, her true passion is telling inspirational stories about people and their lives.
Esly Montenegro serves as the Director of Family Engagement for the American Federation for Children and is a member of the National Implementation Team. In her role, she focuses on building relationships with families in AFC target states to increase enrollment in school choice programs. Esly has also served as the Arizona Implementation Director and has been featured on The Conservative Circus, Univision, Telemundo, FaithTalk1360, Fox & Friends, among other media outlets. With a diverse background in higher education, marketing development, database management, non-profit organizations, and ministry, Esly has consistently dedicated her career to serving and empowering thousands of children, teenagers, and adults from low-income families, with a focus on their personal, professional, and educational development.
Currently, Esly supports the nationwide implementation team by organizing and cultivating relationships with families to expand participation in school choice programs. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Global Business from Arizona State University and a Master of Business Administration from Argosy University. Beyond her professional achievements, Esly is a Christian, musician, avid reader, athlete, and a dedicated ambassador of faith and hope within her community.
Gaby Ascencio is the Arizona Community Outreach Manager for the American Federation for Children. Gaby’s experience as a Language Teacher, Translator, Interpreter and Advocate for Victims of Domestic violence nourishes her work at AFC with an intellectual background and sensitivity that have proved to be valuable elements to interact with families, particularly with the Latino community. Gaby moved to Arizona in 2011 and worked as a Field Program Manager and Facilitator at Arizona State University’s American Dream Academy, a program where “families gain the tools and confidence to make sure their children have successful academic careers.” She also worked for two years as a Family Legal Advocate for victims of domestic violence at the National Advocacy and Training Network. Gaby has also been a teacher of ESL, Spanish and French as a second and third language for more than 20 years in several countries and prestigious universities in Mexico.
Gissell Vera is an Outreach Associate for the American Federation for Children. She is a Mexican American, first-generation college student from the southside of Milwaukee. She benefited from the Milwaukee Parental School program, as part fo Cristo Rey Jesuit High School’s founding class. She graduated as Cristo Rey’s first valedictorian in 2019. Gissell attended Prince of Peace Middle School and before that, she received seven years of education in Mexico. She currently attends Marquette University on a full-ride scholarship, majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Law and Society. Her goal is to become an influential advocate in the school choice movement for the kids and families of her community. Gissell is a Burke Scholar at Marquette, that is actively servicing the Milwaukee community ni social justice issues. Gissell is part of the 2020 Cohort of the Future Leaders Fellowship for AFC where she strives to continue creating awareness about educational resources for the Hispanic community and empowering families and students by sharing her story.
Krissia Campos Spivey is a rising national leader in ensuring equality of educational opportunities for Hispanic families. As part of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, she raised the bar for parent-facing school choice resources in Spanish. Now, she’s expanding on that work as senior director of Conoce tus Opciones Escolares (CTOE). In tandem with National School Choice, CTOE helps parents explore their K-12 education options in Spanish year-round. In her role, Krissia leads the foundation’s efforts to communicate with Spanish-speaking communities, builds partnerships with nonprofit organizations to expand Spanish-language school choice outreach, and uses her expertise in digital communications to enhance the foundation’s programs. Through media appearances, informational videos, and articles, she has helped more than 50,000 Spanish-speaking parents access a great education for their children. As a first-generation immigrant, she is passionate about empowering parents of every background to make informed decisions about their children’s education. Krissia is Salvadoran-American and fluent in both Spanish and English. She earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations and advertising from the Universidad Tenológica de El Salvador and lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
Representative Susan Lopez-Valdes was born the first-generation child of Cuban immigrants in New York, NY, and lived in the Bronx until moving to Hialeah, Florida, at the age of eight before resettling in Tampa. Being raised by a single mother, she learned the value of education early on in life. In later years, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Manhattan College. She was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Everest University for her service to the Tampa Bay community. During her stint on the Hillsborough County School Board, she established an annual Back-to-School Fair to address the needs of the West Hillsborough community. This fair grew to be the largest in Hillsborough County and served visitors from her district and surrounding districts. In addition, Valdes hosted her 15th Back-to-School Fair, which includes free physicals, immunizations, school supplies, and home products, along with a day of fun for students and their families. Susan won a seat on the Hillsborough County School Board in 2004, where she served for 14 years until resigning to run for the Florida House of Representatives in 2018. Susan is now running for re-election to represent District 64 and continue her advocacy on education statewide.
Steve, a member of the Arizona House of Representatives, has demonstrated his leadership abilities in various roles. He has served in the Arizona House and Senate, holding positions like Speaker Pro-Tem and Majority Leader, and he currently serves as Chairman of the Health & Human Services Committee. Steve has been a champion of school choice and parental rights, and has played a large role in empowering Arizona parents and passing the nation’s first universal ESA (Empowerment Scholarship Accounts) program. His leadership is unquestionable as he leads the GOP’s outreach efforts on Spanish-speaking media. Consistently, he has been the sole legislator defending Republican bills for Arizona’s Spanish-speaking population. Steve and his family immigrated to the U.S. when he was 5 years old. He and his wife Melissa will celebrate their 15th anniversary this year. Melissa is a Charter School Administrator, and they have two beautiful daughters, Addy and Emmy. Steve serves as Ministry Pastor at Catalyst Church in Phoenix, AZ. He is also involved with Desert Reach, an organization helping inner-city high school students graduate high school and succeed in life.
Oliver A. Cardenas is a Regional Representative and Bilingual Trainer for RezilientKidz. This nonprofit educational organization offers parenting education programs in 39 US states, which impacts more than 40,000 parents nationwide. Originally from Mexico City, Oliver moved to Colorado Springs in 2023 after residing in California for many years. With more than 24 years of experience in leadership, administration, coaching, and mentoring, he has worked with various US and Latin American organizations in places like Mexico, Peru, Chile, and Argentina. In addition, Oliver has participated as a keynote speaker in conferences, events, podcasts, radio, television, and other media. Oliver is passionate about helping children and families find purpose and thrive. He has traveled to over 25 countries and enjoys learning about different cultures, with Southeast Asia being his favorite region. He loves spending time with his wife, children, and mother, who is an exceptional cook of Mexican cuisine. He also likes to explore new places, make new friends, try new things, and cook. Oliver has a great sense of humor, and his outgoing and enthusiastic attitude is contagious and inspiring.
Felicitas Padron is proud to be a Latina woman. She has worked at Southwest Behavioral Health Services as a health promoter in Arizona for about 13 years, working with communities in need. Part of her work includes helping prevent youth abuse. It is her passion to be involved and to help wherever she can. In addition, Felicitas is involved with Padres Unidos, where she educates parents about school choice. She explains to families the organization’s purpose, helps them with the application process, and shows them different school choices to find what is best for their kids. When Felicitas is not working, she enjoys meditating and spending time with her family.
Monica Suyo moved from Lima, Peru to Norman, Oklahoma, in 2001. Her dream was to study abroad and explore other cultures. She achieved this as an exchange student ni Sevilla, Spain. After that, she graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and later got her master’s degree in human relations. Monica has also been in the education setting for over 15 years, with her experience ranging from pre-k to post-secondary education. She was the Dean of Academic Programs at Le Monde International, a language immersion charter school in Norman, and then became the Assistant Director of TRIO, Upward Bound Program
at Oklahoma City Community College. Currently, Monica is the Director of Recruitment and Community Engagement at Cristo Rey OKC High School, where her role is to engage with her community to make sure people know about Cristo Rey and the opportunities it presents. Monica’s goal is to build a presence in the community to make sure that everyone knows about Cristo Rey. Her other goal is to further inform people about Cristo Rey admissions and what it means to be a part of the school. Monica enjoys traveling, but what she loves the most is working with families and students and getting to know them.
Iliana Martinez is the Statewide Latino Support Coordinator/Multicultural Specialist, and Trainer for the Mid-Ohio Latino Office of the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD). Iliana has been with OCECD since 2010. She serves the Hispanic/Latino families of Mid-Ohio, providing individual assistance and information about their rights as parents through different trainings in Special Education. She also supports parents in being advocates for their children through her leadership of the Latino Parents Associated for Special Children in Ohio (P.L.A.N.E.O.), an empowerment group for Spanish-speaking families who have children with disabilities. This group provides emotional support and builds a parent’s confidence and comfort level in raising a child with disabilities. She holds an associate degree in biology science and a Community Health Worker Certification granted by OSU College of Nursing/State of Ohio Board of Nursing. Iliana has two children, one of which has multiple disabilities.
Heidy Gómez is a Venezuelan immigrant who has been in the United States for over 20 years, raising two daughters who are in college and one son in high school. She is passionate about education, not just for her own family, but also for the Latino community. Heidy is the Hispanic Representative of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina (PEFNC). She advocates for and educates parents on their educational options, as well as assisting families in accessing the state’s scholarship programs. Heidy also leads all PEFNC efforts to involve the Spanish-speaking community in these programs. Thanks to her passion for education, she has been able to raise her voice, through Hispanic fairs, churches, schools, civic organizations, radio, television, newspapers, social networks, local and national news like Fox News, Fox & Friends, ABC News, Spectrum News, Univision, Telemundo and more. In 2023, Heidy actively participated as an important community supporter in passing Senate Bill 406 and House Bill 420, demanding that the state legislature recognize the importance of the expansion of parental school choice, increasing eligibility for even higher earning households and making those programs available to parents regardless of income level.
Sharon Chavez was born in Milwaukee and was raised by her Mexican parents. She is a first-generation college student and a beneficiary of the Milwaukee Parental School program. This allowed her to attend Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, where she joined their founding class, interned in Corporate America from the age of 14, and graduated with honors. Prior to this, she attended Alexander Mitchell Integrated Arts School, giving her the experience of attending both a public and private education, and she felt first-hand the differences within them. Recently, Sharon graduated from Marquette University as a double major and double minor student with honors in corporate communications, Spanish with concentrations in business, business administration and advertising. Sharon was also a part of the 2022 Future Leaders Fellowship Cohort for AFC, where she got to share her education journey with others. Currently, Sharon is a full-time communications consultant for AFC, and is working to help those in her community have the opportunity and the resources to access a proper education, just as she did.
Ilen Perez-Valdes, born in Miami, Florida, was raised by her single Cuban mother and grandmother in a low-income household. Thanks to the tax-credit scholarship from Step Up For Students, Ilen was able to attend St. Agatha Catholic School from kindergarten through eighth grade and then Immaculata-La Salle High School for her high school years. The scholarship was a lifesaver for Ilen, who struggled with health issues during her childhood. In the private school setting, she had access to a nurse who could cater to her medical needs, something she did not have at her public school. Ilen excelled academically, graduating at the top of her high school class. She was also a prominent leader in both her school and community service initiatives. Now, as a first-generation college student, Ilen attends the University of Miami on a full academic scholarship. She is pursuing a degree in neuroscience with plans to attend postgraduate school in the healthcare field. Ilen is also a member of the 2024 Cohort for the AFC Future Leaders Fellowship, where she is dedicated to raising awareness about educational resources for the Hispanic community and children with medical needs. She aims to empower families and students by sharing her inspiring story and advocating for greater access to educational opportunities.
Daniel Reyes is a first-generation college student at the University of Las Vegas (UNLV). Daniel was among the first students in Nevada to benefit from the Opportunity Scholarship, which allowed him to attend a private school of his choice. At his private school, Faith Lutheran, Daniel saw incredible academic improvement and success. He went from struggling in public school to currently attending UNLV, thanks to this scholarship. Daniel will be the first in his family to graduate college and is majoring in entrepreneurship. He is also part of the 2023 Cohort of the Future Leaders Fellowship at the American Federation for Children, traveling around the country and sharing his story about why he supports school choice. Daniel believes that every child is different, and every parent should have the option to choose the best school for their child, regardless of background or income.
