Our 2025-2026 Board

Who We Are

Avril Leiva

Co-Chair

My flag connects me to my roots and to home. I feel excitement and pride whenever I see it because it represents all the stories that make us who we are. It reminds me of the resilience of our communities, and the beauty of being Central American in spaces where we’re often underrepresented.

Mireya Gutierrez Vasquez

Co-Chair

For me, being Central American means carrying my family’s traditions, language, food, history, and culture with pride. It is a reminder of my parents’ resilience and sacrifices they made to give me the opportunities I have today. Being Central American in these spaces also means having the responsibility to advocate for our community’s voices and experiences that are too often underrepresented. My background shapes who I am and fuels my passion to embrace and uplift my community.

Daniel Orellana Delgado

Internal Liaison

I am a fourth year Political Science with a minor in Film TV and Digital Media. I am connected to El Salvador and I celebrate my roots by speaking Spanish, supporting Central American businesses, and talking to my elders!

Raymond Alvarado

Internal Liaison

My Central American background is something I carry with me into every room. Knowing my family’s history motivates me to remain resilient, as a student and as a person. My culture gives me strength, helping me persevere when times get tough.

Isabel Menendez

External Liaison

My Central American background means my connection to my roots and the family that remains in Guatemala.

Candy Gonzalez

External Liaison

Being Guatemalan makes me extremely proud as it connects to my family’s sacrifices and resilience and is a constant reminder of a community that has supported and shaped who I have become today.

Marco Antonio Foster

Cultural Comissioner

I am proud of the way we celebrate and support one another. We are quick to hype each other up and have each others’ backs in times of need, no matter if it’s a friend or a stranger.

Emanuel Rubio

Digital Organizer- Website/Newsletter

I am proud about the diversity that exists inside our own country and beyond. Guatemala is a country that is the birthplace of dozens of Mayan cultures and societies that together formed the Mayan Civilization. Its legacy still exists today as there are multiple archeological sites holding centuries of history and stories. Many communities still exist today and each Mayan society is unique, having distinct languages, dancing styles, marimba music, colorful costumes, food, and traditions.

Daniela Rivera

Digital Organizer-Social Media/Flyers

My flag and my Central American background mean home to me. They remind me of the smell of pupusas and the rhythm of cumbias on warm nights. They represent strength, happiness, and amor. Even when I’m far away, they remind me where I come from, a place full of color, warmth, and people who proudly carry their roots wherever they go.

Natalia Silva

Financial Representative

My Central American background means strength and resilience; it empowers me every day and reminds me of the hard work and perseverance of my family. It also inspires me to stay connected to my roots, embrace my culture, and use it as motivation to give back to my community.

Katherine Hernandez-Velasco

Financial Representative

Hola! My name is Katherine Hernandez-Velasco and I’m a third year majoring in Psychology! I was born and raised in LA but I’m connected to El Salvador, more specifically San Salvador and San Vicente. I love visiting my home country as it always makes me feel a sense of pride and admiration for my family’s culture and history.

Emily Hic

Political Educator

To me, the flag represents the strength of generations of Indigenous peoples who have carried Guatemala’s history through centuries of resistance and resilience. This flag carries the stories and traditions my ancestors have left behind for us to keep alive. It symbolizes my connection to the land and the pride I feel of being Guatemalteca.

Jeannette Ciudad-Real

CCAS Representative

One part of my culture that always makes me particularly proud is our resilience. I think of how powerful the women in my family are for working through hardships to give their family a better life. It gives me strength when I’m struggling.