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. Ricardo is a consultant, specializing 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 - 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.
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.
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 - Lupita Méndez
Originally from Michoacán, México. Lupita relocated to Oregon in 2016, and has spent the last 3 years working with the Hispanic community through a small family business. In her spare time she enjoys being out in nature and traveling to discover new people and cultures.
Originally from Michoacán, México. Lupita relocated to Oregon in 2016, and has spent the last 3 years working with the Hispanic community through a small family business. In her spare time she enjoys being out in nature and traveling to discover new people and cultures.
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 - Néstor Iparraguirre
Néstor Iparraguirre has recently joined Casa Latinos Unidos. Originally from Perú, he relocated to Oregon in 1993. Nestor graduated from OSU with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science. He has spent the last 17 years serving the Hispanic community at Oregon State Credit Union. In his spare time, he enjoys playing Volleyball and taking long walks with his dogs.
Néstor Iparraguirre has recently joined Casa Latinos Unidos. Originally from Perú, he relocated to Oregon in 1993. Nestor graduated from OSU with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science. He has spent the last 17 years serving the Hispanic community at Oregon State Credit Union. In his spare time, he enjoys playing Volleyball and taking long walks with his dogs.