CLI Staff
Jaime Arredondo
Jaime Arredondo
Executive Director
Contact me at:
503-902-0756
Ines Peña
Ines Pena
Deputy Director
Contact me at:
503-902-0756
Maricela Andrade
Maricela Andrade
Accountant | Administrative Assistant
Contact me at:
503-902-0756
maricela@capacesleadership.org
Karina Guzmán Ortiz
Karina Guzmán Ortiz
TURNO Program Manager
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Elizabeth Heredia
Elizabeth Heredia
People’s Representatives Coordinator
Contact me at:
elizabeth@capacesleadership.org
Javier Lara
Javier Lara
Anahuac Program Manager
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Eduardo Serrano
Eduardo Serrano
Communications Coordinator
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Diego Ramos
Diego Ramos
AP Organizational Development Partner
Contact me at:
juandiego@capacesleadership.org
Jules Martinez Plancarte
Jules Martinez Plancarte
Alianza Poder POF Project Manager
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Monica Cerda Ortiz
Monica Cerda Ortiz
Program Support Specialist
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Board of Directors
Lorena Manzo, Chair, representing Causa. Lorena came into the movement as a member of Mujeres Luchadoras Progresistas in 2003, later become staff. She served as the coordinator of the CAPACES formation process in 2005 before joining the Causa staff in 2006. Lorena has served on several CAPACES committees. Currently she is Causa’s lead organizer.
Maria Elena Guerra, Vice President, representing Farmworker Housing Development Corporation. Meg is originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration from Espiritu Santo University in Guayaquil, Ecuador and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Portland State University. In Oregon, Meg served as the Asset and Property Manager for Farmworker Housing Development Corporation and Portfolio Manager for REACH Community Development Corporation before accepting the position of Asset Manager with Hacienda Community Development Corporation. In 2009 Meg was awarded Star Player of the year by the Oregon Opportunity Network. In 2010, Meg completed the Asset Manager Certification (CHAM) with the Institute of National NeighborWorks of America.
Brenda D. Mendoza, Secretary, representing Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste. Brenda D. Mendoza was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. She is the Vice President of PCUN, Director of its Service Center for Farmworkers and DOJ Partial Accredited Representative. Mrs. Mendoza immigrated to the US undocumented crossing the Tijuana/San Ysidro border in 1987 at the age of 11 and has lived in the US since then. She is married and has two daughters.
Sandra Hernández, Treasurer, representing Latinos Unidos Siempre. Sandra is a first generation immigrant from Mexico, her family moved to Salem when she was ten years old. Sandra graduated from North Salem High School and later attended Willamette University, becoming the first in her family to graduate and earn a B.A. in Politics. As someone who is very passionate about providing leadership development and positive mentor-ship for youth of color, Sandra has always been inclined to serving youth and their families. She now works as the Director of Latinos Unidos Siempre (L.U.S.), a social justice, Latinx- youth-led organization based in Salem. Through L.U.S., youth are given political, social and cultural education to develop civic engagement and leadership skills. Sandra also serves on the board of Beyond Toxics, an environmental justice organization based in Eugene, Oregon.
Martha Sonato, representing Acción Política PCUNista. Martha is a first generation immigrant from Michoacán, Mexico. In 2000, Martha immigrated to Hood River, Oregon with her family where her parents are currently farmworkers. In 2015, Martha became the first in her family to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Willamette University in Politics, with a minor in environmental science. Since then, Martha has worked in Governor Kate Brown’s office as a policy assistant on housing and human services and as a legislative aide in Senator Sara Gelser’s office. In 2016, Martha joined Accion Politica PCUNista (APP), and led a team of eight young leaders of color in a historic parallel campaign to elect Teresa Alonso Leon to HD 22. In May 2017, Martha led A.P.P in electing three Latinx candidates to the Woodburn School Board, making it the first majority Latinx school board in Oregon. Martha is passionate about developing public and political leadership, equitable policies for underserved communities and eventually also wants to run for public office.
Levi Herrera, representing Mano a Mano Family Center. Levi graduated from McNary High School and attended Chemeketa Community College and Portland State University. He and his family have lived in Salem since 1992. He currently serves as a member of the Salem-Keizer Budget Committee, the Marion County Public Safety Coordinating Council and the Community Advisory Group to the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Unit of the Oregon Department of Education. He is a member of the Marion County Children & Families Commission and the Salem Mayor’s International Council. Since 2008, he has served as Executive Director to the Mano a Mano Family Center, an organization dedicated to helping strengthen families, founded in 1988.
Rebeca Velásquez, representing Mujeres Luchadoras Progresistas (MLP). Leaving behind roots in Michoacan, Mexico and born out of Mexico City, Rebeca arrived in Salem, OR after migrating to US in 1995. She began working as a farmworker and at the local canary. When she became a mother of two she was a stay-at-home mom and began volunteering at the rallies protesting the mushroom farms. At these rallies she met members of MLP in 2004. She became a part of MLP through their wreath making program. In 2006 Rebeca began coordinating MLP and a few years later even got her own radio show on Radio Movimiento. She has had her show every Monday afternoon since 2010. Her third child was born in 2012 and though she stays busy she enjoys participating and collaborating with the sister organizations. Currently she is the Director of MLP.