Our board consists of community members that have demonstrated a passion for service and leadership.
President - Ricardo Contreras, PhD
- Ricardo Contreras is originally from Chile and has resided in Corvallis since 2013 after coming from Greenville, North Carolina. He holds an Instructor appointment with Anthropology at Oregon State University and is a consultant with his company Ethnographica Consulting. He specializes in applied research, qualitative methodology and community engagement. Ricardo has a Bachelor’s degree from the Universidad de Chile, and master’s and doctoral degrees in applied anthropology from the University of South Florida.
Vice President - Ana Gomez
Ana Gomez is driven to build a more equitable education system by including all community stakeholders in the process. Born and raised in Colombia, her parents were a huge influence and instilled a passion for social work, education, and the arts. Her interest in Oregon education was inspired by her time working with Latino families in Central Oregon. Ana previously formed and coordinated the Juntos program at Oregon State University. She also served as the Associate Director of Engagement for the Center for Latino and Latina Studies and Engagement (CL@SE). Currently Ana serves as a Language Arts instructor Linus Pauling Middle School.
Ana Gomez is driven to build a more equitable education system by including all community stakeholders in the process. Born and raised in Colombia, her parents were a huge influence and instilled a passion for social work, education, and the arts. Her interest in Oregon education was inspired by her time working with Latino families in Central Oregon. Ana previously formed and coordinated the Juntos program at Oregon State University. She also served as the Associate Director of Engagement for the Center for Latino and Latina Studies and Engagement (CL@SE). Currently Ana serves as a Language Arts instructor Linus Pauling Middle School.
Secretary - Juan Guzmán, PhD
Juan Guzmán, a retired educator, comes to Casa Latinos Unidos with a strong background in the educational needs of disadvantaged/disabled/racial and ethnic minority youth. Experiences in public school teaching and administration, university teaching, government service, and federally sponsored migrant education have allowed broad experiences in program development, staff training, and parental involvement. Juan has served as a consultant and has been on committees and advisory boards at the local, state and national levels. He is a veteran, having served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. Since his retirement, he has been active as a volunteer in the Corvallis community.
Juan Guzmán, a retired educator, comes to Casa Latinos Unidos with a strong background in the educational needs of disadvantaged/disabled/racial and ethnic minority youth. Experiences in public school teaching and administration, university teaching, government service, and federally sponsored migrant education have allowed broad experiences in program development, staff training, and parental involvement. Juan has served as a consultant and has been on committees and advisory boards at the local, state and national levels. He is a veteran, having served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. Since his retirement, he has been active as a volunteer in the Corvallis community.
Treasurer - Rocio Muñoz
Rocio is from a seasonal farm working family and is also a first generation college graduate from Portland State University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice and Spanish, and a minor in Chicano/Latino Studies. Rocio has worked at the Benton County Health Department as an Equity and Inclusion Specialist organizing and mobilization to engage low income and racial/ethnic minority families’ participation in public health policy, system and environmental change. Rocio has been actively involved in various city, county and community coalition efforts continuing to advocate for culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach and engagement services, and serve as a cultural broker between agencies and the region’s diverse Latino community.
Rocio is from a seasonal farm working family and is also a first generation college graduate from Portland State University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice and Spanish, and a minor in Chicano/Latino Studies. Rocio has worked at the Benton County Health Department as an Equity and Inclusion Specialist organizing and mobilization to engage low income and racial/ethnic minority families’ participation in public health policy, system and environmental change. Rocio has been actively involved in various city, county and community coalition efforts continuing to advocate for culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach and engagement services, and serve as a cultural broker between agencies and the region’s diverse Latino community.
Board Member - Alicia Ward-Satey
Alicia earned both a bachelor’s degree as well as master’s degree from Western Oregon University in Secondary Education and Bilingual Education. She has worked in K-12 public education for the past 23 years as a high school teacher, high school assistant principal and is currently the principal at Linus Pauling Middle School in Corvallis. During her career Alicia has been a MEChA advisor at high school, worked in Migrant Education and an advocate for Latino families in every school district she has worked in. Alicia likes to spend time with family in her free time.
Alicia earned both a bachelor’s degree as well as master’s degree from Western Oregon University in Secondary Education and Bilingual Education. She has worked in K-12 public education for the past 23 years as a high school teacher, high school assistant principal and is currently the principal at Linus Pauling Middle School in Corvallis. During her career Alicia has been a MEChA advisor at high school, worked in Migrant Education and an advocate for Latino families in every school district she has worked in. Alicia likes to spend time with family in her free time.
Board Member - Marcianne Koetje
- Worked for the Corvallis School District since 2003.
- Coordinator of Equity as well as the program that supports English language Learners.
Earned her masters in teaching at Oregon State University and is currently working on her PhD in the LEEP (Leadership Equity and Educational Policy) program.
Passionate about the advocacy of the Latinx community as well as the empowerment of Latinx students, educators and families.
- Worked for the Corvallis School District since 2003.
- Coordinator of Equity as well as the program that supports English language Learners.
Earned her masters in teaching at Oregon State University and is currently working on her PhD in the LEEP (Leadership Equity and Educational Policy) program.
Passionate about the advocacy of the Latinx community as well as the empowerment of Latinx students, educators and families.
Board Member - Monica Olvera, PhD
- BA in Spanish from Oregon State University (OSU), an MA in Spanish Literature from the University of Oregon, and a PhD in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) from OSU.
- Educator for more than 15 years, and currently is an instructor in HDFS at Oregon State University.
- Co-faculty adviser for the student club Here to Stay at OSU, a club that advocates for DACA and undocumented students.
- Likes to spend time with her family, ride horses, and perform Mexican folkloric dance with her children in her spare time.
Board Member - Alejandra Sanchez
Alejandra Sanchez joins Casa Latino Unidos. With a passion of helping underserved communities, she brings her experience as a Bilingual/Bicultural Clinic Health Navigator. She worked directly with providers to ensure access to medical, mental, and dental treatments for the uninsured and underinsured population. Her focus is to engage patients in their care plan and help patients navigate the health care system. She hopes to help eliminate health care disparities and build healthier communities.
Alejandra Sanchez joins Casa Latino Unidos. With a passion of helping underserved communities, she brings her experience as a Bilingual/Bicultural Clinic Health Navigator. She worked directly with providers to ensure access to medical, mental, and dental treatments for the uninsured and underinsured population. Her focus is to engage patients in their care plan and help patients navigate the health care system. She hopes to help eliminate health care disparities and build healthier communities.