In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, MassLive asked readers to nominate Hispanic and Latino leaders doing important work across the state.
Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the history, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
Over the past few weeks, MassLive has published profiles of the nominated Hispanic and Latino leaders on its website and social media pages. Here they are collected in one place.
The list includes business owners, educational leaders, nonprofit workers and activists. They were identified for their inspirational leadership in their communities and organizations and are being recognized for their accomplishments and commitment to inspire change.
If you know if a Hispanic or Latino leader in Massachusetts you think deserves to be recognized in the future, please fill out this form.
Below is the full list of 2024 Hispanic and Latino leaders of Massachusetts selected by MassLive readers.
Maria Acosta Cruz, a professor of language, literature and culture at Clark University in Worcester.Juan Pablo Rivera
Maria Acosta Cruz
Age: 68
Community: Northampton and Worcester
Her story: Since 1986, Maria Acosta Cruz has educated new generations of Spanish speakers from her Clark University classroom. But along the way, she and her students are also giving back to their wider Worcester community.
In one class, Acosta Cruz’s students help Worcester nonprofits and organizations translate their documents, forms and informational material from English to Spanish and Spanish to English, expanding its reach to wider swaths of the community. She was amazed that in a community as diverse as Worcester, where nearly one in five residents speak Spanish at home, many organizations did not already have resources available in Spanish.
“The volume of information that exists only in English is always kind of shocking to students and to me,” Acosta Cruz said.
Her students have assisted UMass Chan Medical School, local charities, the YMCA and other organizations. One group’s documents helped people access mental and emotional support services, but only had material in English, Acosta Cruz said.
Born and raised in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, Acosta Cruz has a keen interest in the Hispanic cultures of the Caribbean. She is working on a book project, Disaster Nation, exploring how five centuries of environmental disasters have been represented in the region’s literature and art. It will follow an earlier book, Dream Nation, about how ideas of independence were represented in Puerto Rico between the 19th and 21st centuries.
In her words: “It fills you with energy to work with people who are 18 to 22, but it’s also sometimes mystifying the things they’re interested in. That’s always a challenge, finding a connection with a population that always stays young … I just love the language and I love seeing people who are interested in learning. I love helping people learn something I love so much.”
— Will Katcher
Shirley Arriaga.Courtesy photo
Shirley Arriaga
Age: 34
Community: Chicopee
Her story: A lifelong resident of Chicopee and U.S. Air Force veteran, Shirley Arriaga is the Democratic state Representative on Beacon Hill for the 8th Hampden District.
Advocating for the needs of Chicopee residents under the golden dome, Arriaga’s legislative priorities are empowering women and girls, assisting veterans and elders and championing education.
During her 10 years with the Air Force, Arriaga was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. She continued her education at Springfield Technical Community College, Elms College and Western New England University, obtaining several degrees.
Her military service eventually led her to civil service. She was elected to state office in November 2022, a role that had been held by an incumbent for more than three decades.
“From a very young age, I knew I wanted to help those who are the most vulnerable in our communities,” Arriaga said. “I had a plan to arm myself with education and knowledge so that one day I would be able to serve and advocate for the laws and to help those in our community.”
Arriaga is also a mother and educator at Chicopee High School.
In her words: “I encourage all who aim to serve to do so. There are many methods and ways in which one can help. Whether it’s by advocating for legislation, whether is sharing information and resources throughout our community, whether supporting those who want to run for office or simply by running themselves if they feel that it is their calling. It is not easy, but I encourage all to do so because otherwise change will never come.”
— Hadley Barndollar
Philip AvilaSebastian Restrepo
Philip Avila
Age: 31
Community: Amherst
His Story: Philip Avila is Amherst’s Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Before serving in that role, he was the chair of the town’s Human Rights Commission and served on the Community Safety and Social Justice Committee.
As the Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Avila focuses on making sure that all people in his community have a voice and access to opportunities, especially, people who are underrepresented.
“Representation and inclusion are vital because they foster a sense of belonging and empower individuals to thrive,” he said. “By addressing systemic barriers and promoting equitable practices, my goal is to create a more inclusive Amherst where everyone can not only survive but truly flourish.”
To Avila, the importance of his work lies in the impact he has in building a stronger and more connected community.
“When people feel seen, valued and supported, they contribute more meaningfully, enriching the entire town,” Avila said. “My efforts are dedicated to driving meaningful change that ensures all residents can enjoy the benefits of a fair and just society.”
Avila said he is a California native and is Mexican by descent. He came to Amherst in 2018 with “no prior connections.”
But, over the past couple of years, he said he’s found a sense of belonging and community. He has a master’s degree in sociology with a focus on social justice. It’s a degree that he said “laid the foundation for my commitment to equity and inclusion.”
He said he got started in social justice work during the COVID-19 pandemic at The Amherst Survival Center, a nonprofit that provides food, shelter, clothing and other resources to those in need in Hampshire and Franklin counties.
“This role exposed me to the deep-rooted issues faced by marginalized groups in Amherst and highlighted the gaps in community support,” he said.
Inspired by his experience at the center, Avila said he volunteered with the Human Rights Commission and then joined the Community Safety and Social Justice Committee.
He said those roles gave him valuable insights into how systemic change can be reached through using government and community initiatives. Those jobs also reinforced his belief in the power of diversity, equity and inclusion to create meaningful progress, he said.
“My background and experiences have fueled my dedication to advocating for a more inclusive and equitable Amherst, where all community members are recognized and supported,” he said.
In his words: “Remain dedicated to your goals and persist despite challenges. The journey may be demanding, but your commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowerment will drive meaningful change.”
— Alvin Buyinza
Jasarah Burgos (Photo by Jose Figueroa from Airfig Productions)Jose Figueroa from Airfig Productions
Jasarah Burgos
Age: 35
Community: Springfield
Her story: Jasarah Burgos is a leader in her community who dedicates her time and efforts to inspiring and empowering others to become strong leaders who can “expand the efforts we’re making today.”
Burgos works to engage Hampden County community members in decision-making processes that ensure Latinos living in diaspora have access to resources they need.
After arriving from Puerto Rico in 2017 with her then-2 year-old son following Hurricane Maria, Burgos was challenged with navigating a new environment and understanding the systems around her.
Every day, she sought ways to provide her son with a stable home, quality healthcare and education.
“This journey sparked a realization within me — I wanted to help others who were in similar situations,” she said. “This drive led me to enter the field of Human Services, where I have since dedicated myself to creating and supporting programs that provide opportunities for people who look and sound like me to thrive.”
Burgos is involved with several community-oriented groups including the Holyoke Community College Foundation, Latino Scholarship Fund of Western Massachusetts, Families First of Western Massachusetts, YMCA of Greater Springfield, Wayfinders and New North Citizen’s Council (NNCC).
She is the chief of community engagement for the NNCC, which is a non-profit organization providing advocacy and public and human services to Hampden County residents with an emphasis on the Hispanic/Latino community.
Burgos is passionate about fostering leadership and collective action to create lasting impacts to benefit current and future generations.
In her words: “We often operate within systems that weren’t designed for our success, but by educating ourselves and maintaining respect for others, we can continue to push for the collective changes that will benefit us all.”
— Dallas Gagnon
Edward W. Caisse IIISebastian Restrepo
Edward W. Caisse III
Age: 61
Community: Holyoke
His story: Edward W. Caisse III works for the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office as the head of the Holyoke Safe Neighborhood Initiative (HSNI) — a program that helps inmates with a high risk of reoffending reenter their communities successfully after serving their sentences.
Caisse is working to protect the community he’s always called home. The son of a single mother of four children, his personal experience with poverty now drives him to help people who come from broken or low-income homes, he wrote.
Caisse first worked for the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office in 1990 but didn’t begin a career there until 1994 when he became a residential supervisor, he said. He then worked his way up until he became head of HSNI in 2006.
HSNI helps inmates focus on pursuing a career after incarceration through education, mentorship and by connecting them with social services, Caisse said.
“The high risk re-entry work has allowed me to see firsthand the root causes that have led many young people to incarceration,” he said. “It has also given me a passion to go out into the community to provide support to families while making a direct effort to reach young people and prevent them from going down the wrong roads that lead to incarceration.”
With the help of his wife, Caisse also runs basketball leagues, family fun nights and other community events as a means of grassroots outreach, he said. He and his wife have been doing approximately 20 hours of volunteer work a week since 2012 and sometimes manage as many as 100 volunteers.
“Volunteers investing in the lives of young people has assisted youth in making better decisions, as well as being resilient to the levels of trauma they have experienced through the hands that life has dealt them,” he said. “The intentionality in developing relationships with youth and families is important, because many youth and families in the community are struggling with social issues including poverty, substance use and various health issues.”
One of HSNI’s biggest events is an annual back-to-school celebration, Caisse said. During the event, he and his wife help connect attendees with services they are in need of, but also use it as a time to just hang out and build relationships with other community members.
“Don’t let the size of a problem, specifically the social issues that our local communities face, prevent you from rolling up your sleeves and doing your part to make an impactful change in the lives of others and our communities,” he wrote. “For many of us, the problems seem so comprehensive and make us feel that our efforts would hardly make a difference. The truth is, all of our efforts combined can make great sustainable change in our communities.”
In his words: “Our investment of time and demonstration of love and compassion for others can change a multitude of people, one person at a time!”
— Susannah Sudborough
Photography for Salem State Campaign Case statement and other publications.Salem State Campaign Case
Elisa Castillo
Age: 52
Community: Salem/Northshore
Her story: Elisa Castillo is a higher education administrator with over 20 years of experience, who provides services to a diverse college student population. Currently, she serves as the assistant vice president for Hispanic and Minority Serving Institution Initiatives at Salem State University.
Castillo is a bilingual and bicultural Latina, who grew up in Puerto Rico and graduated from the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez. She then earned a doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Wisconsin -Madison.
Throughout her career, she has spent time in roles working as a psychologist helping students with their mental health and wellness, working in administrative roles, improving resources and changing campus culture for students and working as co-lead for the pandemic response.
As someone who has always found passion in helping the youth, Castillo currently helps the Salem State University provide the Hispanic and Latino student population an educational environment where all students can thrive.
She believes it is important for colleges “to be intentional about welcoming Latino students and providing opportunities where all students can thrive.”
Ways to support this goal are to make college more affordable, have materials in Spanish so families can have needed information and make sure that students have opportunities that will prepare them to make a difference in their community, she said.
In her words: “Our youth and students are a very diverse group and they need teachers, mentors, service providers and leaders they can relate to. I want to encourage our students and our community to continue to pursue their dreams and to know that they can complete a college degree or even achieve a terminal degree in their field.”
— Taylor Sanzo
Angelica Castro, the director of outreach and teens for the YMCA of Greater Springfield. Photo courtesy of Angelica Castro.Angelica Castro
Angelica Castro
Age: 37
Community: Springfield
Her story: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Angelica Castro — a mom of two teenage daughters — reflected and decided to make a career change to become more hands-on in nurturing and supporting teenagers in Springfield.
As director of outreach and teens for the YMCA of Greater Springfield at the North End Youth Center, Castro runs a program called Y-AIM for kids aged 13 to 19 in partnership with Springfield Public Schools.
“This program gears around college readiness, mentorship, whether it’s introducing our teens to job skills, homework help, really just all around mentorship in any avenue that our teens within the community may need,” Castro said.
Castro added during the day she visits Springfield schools to assist in bridging gaps between students, faculty, teachers and counselors and providing extra support. In the afternoons, she then runs an afterschool program giving teens activities to do and providing them with snacks and meals.
Castro said part of the goal of the program is to introduce teens to new interests and ideas while also readying them for the next stage of life after middle and high school whether they’re bound for the workforce, a college education or military service.
In working with teens, Castro said at first there’s “always a little pushback” to rules and requirements asked of them, but with time as she develops a better understanding for who they are and their aspirations that “that wall comes downs and their personalities flourish.”
One thing Castro has noticed among the teens she works with is many have anxiety in the wake of the pandemic when they were largely isolated from others.
“We help them increase their social skills again and just to navigate the world as comfortable as possible,” she said.
Prior to the pandemic, Castro worked for over 15 years in retail as a makeup artist for the company Chanel. She said while she loved the work she did, having asthma pulled her away from the workforce as the virus circulated.
That time away allowed Castro to rethink her priorities in life, and when an opportunity opened up at the YMCA of Greater Springfield she decided to make a change to give back and make a positive impact for teens like her own daughters. Castro is now heading toward her third year on the job.
In her words: “If you’re able to impact one life positively, you’ve done your job.”
— Chris McLaughlin
Tatiana ColeSebastian Restrepo
Tatiana Cole
Age: 37
Community: Springfield
Her story: Tatiana Cole comes from a family of entrepreneurs.
Her father started his own rug cleaning business, her grandfather owned a bodega and her mother would sew and sell quilts and handbags, the 37-year-old told MassLive.
So it’s natural that Cole ended up devoting her life to helping other entrepreneurs.
“My grandparents were the first generation to come to the states from the island of Puerto Rico,” Cole told MassLive. “They worked different jobs and also built businesses on the side to support their families. It was only a matter of time where I soon caught the bug for entrepreneurship.”
Cole identifies herself as a business connector and coach for entrepreneurs looking to establish “meaningful relationships and strategically grow their business, especially for those in the early stages of entrepreneurship.”
Her work focuses on connecting women to potential collaborators, partners and resources to help their businesses grow.
Cole has done this by hosting the Flourish Conference, which is a traveling conference that has been held in Ludlow in 2023 and Charlotte, North Carolina, this past June.
Jumping off the success of Flourish Conference, Cole started hosting local networking events in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut called Flourish Connections. The events help entrepreneurs network while sharing stories and experiences from other entrepreneurs.
“I see it in action everyday where connections I made blossomed into collaborations on events, products, services, speaking engagements, and much more,” Cole said. “The growth of these businesses not only strengthens the community through relationship building but also boosting the local economy from the success of these businesses.”
Cole added that having these relationships helps build a support system that is “crucial to help you grow and cheer you on along the way.”
This was something that helped Cole when she was planning her first Flourish Conference while battling thyroid cancer.
“My relationship with God and my support system kept me steadfast and hosted an incredible conference for women entrepreneurs in Charlotte and seven others states in attendance,” she said. “The impact and transformation was made for those who were able to witness it.”
With a background in higher education, Cole said her experience helping students and staff reach their personal and academic goals has helped her in the entrepreneurial sector.
“I use my project management and event planning skills to work with entrepreneurs whether it’s reaching a new goal in business, enhancing their vendor table at pop up events, or incorporating events into their business model,” she said. “I’ve also completed a life coaching certification and personal development coach certificate at the beginning of my journey and am always looking for continued education to use in my business.”
Cole has also worked as a mentor and volunteer at EforAll Pioneer Valley in Holyoke where she built relationships with alumni and new students going through the organization’s programs.
In her words: “You must see the bigger picture. The entrepreneurs I work with have a greater purpose for the products and services they provide. They are looking to create a greater impact on the people they serve and the small part I can play with building connections, sharing resources, and offering coaching creates the ripple effect of that impact.”
— David Cifarelli
Elizabeth CruzSebastian Restrepo
Elizabeth Cruz
Community: Worcester
Her story: Elizabeth Cruz is the president of the Latin American Business Association (LABO), the president and founder of Empowering Latina Leaders Affirmation (ELLA) and a Worcester-area realtor. She has over 20 years of experience in IT software development, project management and business consulting and over 30 years of experience as a realtor, according to Cruz and her Worcester Business Journal (WBJ) profile.
“My work is dedicated to advancing the Latinx community through economic and personal development,” she wrote.
Cruz’s journey to success wasn’t an easy one. While earning a degree in computer science from Central New England College — which closed in 1989, she was the only woman and Latina in her class. She found the lack of peers “challenging,” she wrote.
Soon, Cruz realized that there was a need for more minority role models and mentors. The experience ultimately led her to found ELLA in 2023 after 30 years of “meditating” about the concept, according to her WBJ profile.
ELLA works to empower Latina leaders through mentorship, leadership development and networking opportunities, according to Cruz. It also offers college scholarships to young Latina women who lack the financial means to pay for higher education on their own.
“We address challenges such as imposter syndrome and advocate for increased Latina representation in leadership roles,” she wrote.
LABO has a similar mission of helping Latinx-owned businesses grow and prosper, according to Cruz. The non-profit holds workshops and expos that serve as networking opportunities and offers a variety of professional training programs in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
“The challenges of starting and running a business can be significant, especially with language barriers or limited resources,” she wrote.
ELLA and LABO also offer awards to celebrate the success of the people they empower.
“Both organizations contribute to a more vibrant and inclusive community,” she wrote. “We drive economic growth, support entrepreneurship, and promote personal development, ensuring Latinx individuals have the opportunities and resources needed to thrive and succeed.”
Cruz’s commitment to lifting up the Latinx community and other women is longstanding. She previously served on the board of directors at the Central Massachusetts YWCA and was a vice president with the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) of Central Massachusetts, according to her biography on LABO’s website.
Before entering the non-profit world, Cruz worked as a programmer for Tennessee-based Unum Insurance for 15 years, according to her LinkedIn profile. After leaving Unum, she spent over 15 years in project management roles at large companies such as Fidelity Investments and Dell EMC.
Today, Cruz owns and operates two businesses: Cruz Realty Group — a Shrewsbury-based Century 21 real estate group — and Cruz Control Property Management, which manages 26 units in Worcester County, according to her LABO biography. Over the years, she’s helped over 500 families buy, sell, invest and lease properties, she wrote.
Anyone looking to follow in Cruz’s footsteps should work to build relationships that will help further their career, be prepared for unexpected setbacks and use their unique perspective to drive meaningful change, she wrote.
“My journey in IT, real estate, and community leadership has taught me that success often comes from understanding and addressing the specific needs of your community,” she wrote.
Seeking out people whose success you aspire to emulate is also key, Cruz wrote, but being a mentor to others is just as important.
“Sharing your knowledge and experiences helps build a supportive network and promotes growth in others,” she wrote.
In her words: “My professional journey has been driven by a deep commitment to community development and empowerment.”
— Susannah Sudborough
Victor Davila, Springfield city councilor.Victor Davila
Victor Davila
Age: 53
Community: Springfield
His story: Victor Davila arrived in Springfield as a teenager. He didn’t speak any English and his family was homeless.
Today, he is a Springfield city councilor representing Ward 6 and chairs two committees: general government and PILOT/revenue. In his role, Davila said he is entrusted to oversee city finances, budgeting and operations, while acting as a “bridge” between residents and government.
In addition to serving as a city councilor, Davila, a resident of Springfield’s Forest Park neighborhood, works as a full-time paramedic for AMR, responding to emergency calls for sick and injured people in Springfield. He has always been attracted to service for others, he said.
A graduate of Westfield State College, Davila is the first Latino of Puerto Rican heritage to be elected to the Springfield City Council for Ward 6. He has also previously served as the past president of the Forest Park Civic Association and a parish council member at Holy Name Church.
When Davila ran for reelection in 2023, his platform focused on developing comprehensive plans to address gun violence and litter in the city.
In his words: “Springfield is a great to live. We need your talents. Get involve in the community. Do not give up. Always purse your dreams and goals and always believe in yourself.”
— Hadley Barndollar
Junior Delgado, director of Westfield State University’s Career Center (Photo Credit: Westfield State University).Westfield State University
Junior Delgado
Age: 49
Community: Westfield
His story: Junior Delgado’s passion for connecting people with job assistance and resources began in high school. At an early age, he saw one of his parents consistently laid off because of economic conditions.
He helped his parent with translation, filling out applications, responding to employer inquiries and connecting with the Department of Unemployment Assistance.
Following college graduation, he knew he wanted to help people, exploring career fields such as human services, education and higher education. Twenty-four years ago, he was hired at Westfield State University in the Career Center to work with college seniors who weren’t taking advantage of services.
He continues to do this work as the director of the career center at Westfield State — a position he has been in for 15 years.
Delgado helps students by exploring career options and researching employers and organizations for internships, part-time and full-time opportunities.
“Working with students is critical for the Massachusetts workforce as over 80+ percent of Westfield State University alumni live and work in Massachusetts,” Delgado said. “The ability to connect our students to Massachusetts-based employers and organizations helps in retaining and replenishing the future workforce for the betterment of our state economy.”
Delgado was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the Westfield Chamber of Commerce to serve as the liaison for Westfield State University. This position will allow for more local and regional employers to collaborate with the institution, he said.
In his words: “Every person that you work with has different needs from one another. Being able to listen to their needs is important in order to provide guidance and help them on their path to pursue work, certifications or additional schooling. When an individual reaches out and lets you know that your assistance, advice or help in securing employment was successful, that is the most fulfilling part of the job!”
— Juliet Schulman-Hall
Alexis Diaz DejesusSebastian Restrepo
Alexis Diaz Dejesus
Age: 25
Community: Holyoke
His story: Alexis Diaz Dejesus advocates healthy lifestyle opportunities in the Holyoke community, especially the Latino community.
“Our community faces higher rates of chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity,” he said. “By implementing access to nutrition education, exercise programs and a ‘food is medicine’ mindset, we can lessen these risks and improve overall health outcomes.”
Diaz Dejesus manages the Holyoke Farmers Market and works closely with community partners to create culturally tailored programs.
The education programs are an opportunity for people to learn how to use fruits and vegetables they may not be familiar with, according to Diaz Dejesus.
The market is year-round and bilingual, he said.
“It is a passion of mine to educate not only about these programs and opportunities, but to promote that food is medicine and that it is a lifestyle that is possible for families and individuals who may not see it as an accessible way of living,” Diaz Dejesus said.
In his words: “Learn, listen, and be patient with others. Don’t be afraid to try new ideas, or to fail; failures are more opportunities to grow, learn, and improve. And, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it and if it is broken, don’t stop the fight to fix it. We are stronger together.”
— Luis Fieldman
Derek Estrella-PadillaSebastian Restrepo
Derek Estrella-Padilla
Age: 28
Community: Holyoke
His story: Derek Estrella-Padilla understands what it means to be in the shoes of those he teaches and mentors at Holyoke Community College (HCC). A first-generation college student from a Puerto Rican household, Estrella-Padilla said he experienced firsthand the “turbulence of not understanding how to navigate pursuing a college education.”
During his college career he balanced a full-time workload alongside a full-time class schedule, noting this caused him to struggle. Attending a primarily white institution, Estrella-Padilla said he also found making connections challenging.
What changed this for him was his acceptance into the “TRIO Student Support Service” program and his connection with his academic counselor, a Puerto Rican woman he said became his “college mom” — encouraging him, assisting him and never letting him feel like a second-rate student.
“From this experience I learned what it meant to build community, develop my leadership, and to advocate for the needs of underrepresented students,” Estrella-Padilla said, adding that this led him to his passion for social justice in higher education.
Today, Estrella-Padilla works in a full-time role as the program coordinator for HCC’s TRIO STEM Health Science Student Support Services program. The program provides personal and academic support for students who are first generation, low income and/or have a documented disability.
Estrella-Padilla said that many communities of color in Western Massachusetts fall under these categories and that the program gives these students “equitable support and access” to become successful professionals in a health science field. Estrella-Padilla added that these jobs are “drastically underrepresented” by Black and Brown communities.
The role allows Estrella-Padilla to nurture, empower and advocate for these students and their needs to ensure their growth and development, much as his own “college mom” did for him.
Estrella-Padilla also serves as a part-time professor at HCC, where he teaches “Introduction to Latinx Studies,” in which students learn about this diaspora community in the United States, the Caribbean and in Central and South America.
“Intro to Latinx Studies provides a decolonized history and empowers Latinx students to reclaim their history, their cultures’ contributions to society, and understand they too have the right to enact change within society,” Estrella-Padilla said.
Estrella-Padilla also works to support the next generation of Latinx students, volunteering and serving as president of the Latino Scholarship Fund of Western Massachusetts.
The organization’s goal is to help Hispanic Western Massachusetts high school seniors through providing them with scholarships and mentorships to support them through their first year of college, which Estrella-Padilla noted is a significant transition period in these kids’ lives.
In his words: “Equity and social justice work is an amazing passion to have but also a work that comes with turbulence. Find your community to build solidarity with. As the saying goes ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ I would not be where I am in life if it were not for the amazing and supportive community that has support of my community. ¡Si se puede y más con ayuda!”
— Chris McLaughlin
Ysabel Garcia. Photo by Darrius Mylze Johnson, Visionary ActsPhoto by Darrius Mylze Johnson, Visionary Acts
Ysabel Garcia
Age: 31
Community: Springfield
Her story: Ysabel Garcia’s history of winning her own mental health battles has propelled her into a career dedicated to Black and Latinx people receiving equitable and culturally sensitive care.
Garcia leads Estoy Aquí LLC, which translates to “I am here.” Since 2020, her training consultant business has delivered over 100 educational programs made for mental health providers to learn about the socio-cultural aspects of mental health in communities of people of color.
“What sets my work apart is how I focus on the unique sociocultural contexts and systemic issues that are often ignored by traditional mental health care,” Garcia said. Her advocacy is delivered through community care circles, workshops and training sessions with healthcare provers, social service workers and community members.
Garcia’s personal experiences trying to find mental health care when she was a teenage Dominican immigrant contemplating suicide were difficult. She felt the providers in therapy, residential programs and psychiatric hospitals were not equipped to handle suicide, especially from a social justice perspective.
“I expected respect, compassion, and understanding. Instead, I faced coercion and retaliation through solitary confinement and law enforcement involvement for expressing my pain,” Garcia said.
By focusing on the needs and perspectives of Latinx and Black people when giving mental health care, Garcia said her approach is pushing for “real, systemic changes that gets to the root of mental health challenges and suicide.” While her education isn’t mainstream, Garcia said it’s “crucial.”
“People who attend my programs often tell me they’ve never heard about the topics we discuss, even after years in their field,” she said.
“I’m committed to turning each shared story into a building block that strengthens the collective wisdom of our communities, making it possible for us to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to sustain us,” Garcia said.
In her words: “Radically embrace authenticity, humility, and compassion. Recognize that lived experience is a form of expertise and center these voices in your work. Diverging from the industry standard is not easy; it requires challenging entrenched norms and advocating for systemic change, often in the face of resistance. So, stay focused.”
— Irene Rotondo
Joesiah Gonzalez. Courtesy PhotoJoesiah Gonzalez
Joesiah Gonzalez
Age: 27
Community: Springfield
His story: The success of youth in Joesiah Gonzalez’s home city was his main goal before he was even out of school himself.
Gonzalez made his first run at 19 years old for the Springfield School Committee while a Western New England University student. The Springfield native was elected to the committee in 2021 and serves as the Vice Chairman for the $600 million public school system.
He is also the chief philanthropy and communications officer at Home City Development, a non-profit real estate developer that aims to create more homes in the city and region.
“Being a proud graduate of Springfield Public Schools and running for office at an early age, I have always been drawn to having a positive impact in the City of Springfield,” Gonzalez told MassLive.
“All in all, I’m committed to seeing the unlocked potential in our city come to fruition, from the talent in our school system, to the development of homes and communities,” he said.
As an elected political leader, Gonzalez wants his social impact work to have a trickle down effect through Springfield. Early in his career, he secured millions of dollars for youth development and to buy a three-story building for youth programs in the north end of the city, at 4 Birnie Ave., while with the New North Citizens’ Council.
Gonzalez is currently pursuing his doctorate in Educational Leadership form the University of Hartford with a focus on organizational theory and leadership.
In his words: “Follow your passion above all else, the jobs will find you. For your passion is often times indicative of your life’s work and that cannot be confined to a position or job title, it is what you were created and called to do.”
— Irene Rotondo
Alex Guardiola is the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central Massachusetts. Guardiola has been identified as someone working to make an impact in their community.Courtesy
Alex Guardiola
Age: 43
Community: Worcester
His story: Alex Guardiola is passionate about helping businesses across all sectors.
As the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Central New England, Guardiola is committed to advocating for great businesses in Central and Western Massachusetts as well as for consumer rights and ethical business practices.
Through building and maintaining relationships with businesses, government agencies and other organizations, Guardiola expands the reach and impact of the BBB.
“It is my goal to help all businesses be successful including our minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses,” he said. “I continue to be an advocate for our Black and Brown community in the region to help procure equity in our lives.”
In his position, Guardiola is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization’s operations and strategic direction. He provides strategic leadership to the organization and ensure’s BBB member businesses receive value from their membership in addition to overseeing all of the organizations day-to-day operations.
Guardiola’s journey in business management began after graduating college, where he worked at the attorney general’s Fair Labor and Business Practice’s division while attending law school in the evenings.
This experience inspired him to help businesses, large and small, to be successful while working to be ethical and trustworthy.
After graduating law school, Guardiola went on to work for Massachusetts’s Medicaid Fraud Division, fighting to combat fraudsters trying to steal funds, eventually accepting a position as the vice president of government affairs and public policy with the Worcester Regional Chamber where he advocated for businesses at the federal, state and municipal level.
After six years in that role, Guardiola was named to be the president and CEO of the BBB of Central New England where he has continued to advocate for businesses in the region.
Here, he manages the organization’s finances and identifies opportunities for growth and innovation such as expanding the BBB’s services, developing new programs and reaching new audiences.
In his words: “Passion drives success… In this world, like in business, your schedule is never just 9-5. You have to adjust schedules to make sure no one is left behind.”
— Dallas Gagnon
Mayrena GuerreroSebastian Restrepo
Mayrena Guerrero
Age: 42
Community: West Springfield
Her story: When Mayrena Guerrero began her private mental health practice in 2016, she had a key realization.
As an Afro-Latina mental health counselor and member of the LGBTQ and immigrant communities, many people of similar identities gravitated to her as clients.
“I realized then that there were not many of us to care for the mental health needs of our people properly,” Guerrero said. “I decided to put a team together to make a small contribution to the solution of a much bigger, systemic problem.”
So emerged Colorful Resilience. Guerrero’s organization provides outpatient mental health services to people of color, the LGBTQ community, immigrants and others who may not see their background reflected in many therapy practices.
More than 75% of the nation’s mental health counselors are white, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For people of color, “these statistics probably aren’t surprising,” the nonprofit National Alliance on Mental Illness said in 2022. “Trying to find a therapist who shares your racial or ethnic background can feel like a game of Where’s Waldo.”
“Our clinicians are representatives of the communities we serve,” Guerrero said, “so they provide culturally competent behavioral health care that comes from education and shared lived experiences with our clients.”
Colorful Resilience today has more than 20 clinicians based in West Springfield. It is one of the 30 largest LGBT-owned businesses in the state, according to the Boston Businesses Journal.
In her words: “More people are dropping out of the mental health field than graduating into it because of burnout. Your mental health matters. To care for others, you need to care for yourself first.”
— Will Katcher
Luis Lozano. (Courtesy photo)Courtesy Luis Lozano
Luis Lozano
Age: 38
Community: Springfield
His story: Luis Lozano is a tattoo artist and the owner of Vibrant Visions Tattoo and Body Piercing in Springfield. However, he sees tattooing, which he has been doing for 12 years, as more than just a visual art form, but a “meaningful and transformative experience.”
“As a tattoo artist and business owner, my work goes beyond just creating art on skin — it’s about fostering a safe space for self-expression,” Lozano said. “My tattoo shop is dedicated to breaking the stigma often associated with tattoo parlors by offering a welcoming and inclusive environment.”
Lozano said he has been passionate about art and drawing his entire life, but originally went into a career in law enforcement after college. Despite this, he continued to exercise his artistic skills and began learning about tattooing.
He officially entered the industry when he joined Mystery Ink Tattoo and Body Piercing, working under then-owner Scott Kaufman. However, when Kaufman retired, Lozano bought the shop, rebranding as Vibrant Visions at the beginning of this year.
He wants the business to challenge stereotypes about tattoo shops and the people who have tattoos, and does his best to create a welcoming, inclusive environment focused on creativity and building trust with his clients.
“This venture has allowed me to fully merge my love for art with my desire to create a positive, community-focused space,” he said.
In addition to tattooing — he doesn’t specialize in any particular style, preferring to do a little bit of everything from color and realism to black and white and cover-ups — Lozano is passionate about mentoring younger artists and offering guidance so they can explore their identity through creativity.
In his words: “Tattooing is more than just a profession; it’s a form of expression that can have a profound impact on others. Hone your skills, be patient with your progress and never stop learning.”
— Tréa Lavery
Renata Mauriz is the Director of Immigrant Student Support Services at Bunker Hill Community College. (Courtesy Photo)Courtesy Photo
Renata Mauriz
Age: 31
Community: Greater Boston
Her story: Working to support immigrant students at Bunker Hill Community College is a career path that chose Renata Mauriz.
As an undocumented high school student, she said she had to navigate not only challenges with the immigration system but also educational barriers.
“I am truly lucky to be in a position where I can leverage my own power and positionality to enact change and be the educator I wish I had as an undocumented teenager,” Mauriz said.
Knowing the detrimental impact of the immigration system on immigrant communities keeps her committed to the work “for the long run,” she said.
In her role as the director of immigrant student support services at Bunker Hill Community College, she is the point of access and support for all immigrant-origin noncitizen students — especially those who are undocumented, asylum seekers, refugees, have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (also known as DACA), Temporary Protected Status (also known as TPS) or hold other forms of temporary immigration status.
“We know immigrants are not a monolith and understanding who you’re serving and building trust with them is important,” Mauriz said.
Since coming into the role in 2023, Mauriz said she learned that financial barriers are the main challenge immigrant-origin noncitizen students experience while pursuing post-secondary education at Bunker Hill Community College.
She said many students couldn’t apply for federal or state financial aid if they weren’t citizens.
“Systemic barriers call for systemic change, so in the spring and summer of 2023, I directed my energy towards advocating for the Tuition Equity Law alongside my students to ensure they could receive the opportunity to afford a college education, regardless of their immigration status,” Mauriz said.
In July 2023, Massachusetts passed the law, providing certain non-U.S. citizen students, including undocumented students, access to affordable higher education with in-state tuition rates and state financial aid.
“The work has just begun,” Mauriz said.
In her words: “Take your time to truly listen to immigrant students and get to know their complexities. Don’t make assumptions. Understanding students’ identities and lived experiences is crucial for any educator to co-create institutional structures, solutions, programs and policies meant to serve students. Check your biases, and be careful not to come from a deficit approach when working with immigrant students.”
— Juliet Schulman-Hall
Jasmine Naylor is one of MassLive’s Hispanic/Latino leaders in MassachusettsJasmine Naylor
Jasmine Naylor
Age: 39
Community: Springfield
Her story: Jasmine Naylor serves as a co-founder of Naylor Nation Real Estate, a minority-owned and operated company. She is passionate about using real estate as a tool for positive social change.
The company’s mission extends beyond profit, as it strives to revitalize underfunded communities and provide opportunities for under-resourced families, Naylor said. Services include acquisition and development, residential construction and renovation, property management, leasing, consulting and real estate education.
“Through our work, we’re not just building homes; we’re creating thriving neighborhoods and fostering economic growth,” she said.
Naylor said she always knew she would own rental property, as it would help eliminate housing insecurity that she experienced growing up. After graduating college, she purchased a multifamily home. Shortly after came another multifamily and mobile home. Then, Naylor and her husband decided they wanted to double down on investing.
Today, the two have grown their rental portfolio to over 30 units as well as fixing and flipping properties. They also have a property management company, offer consulting services, mentor others and host seminars and conferences, among other responsibilities.
In her words: “You must subdue your flesh and it’s desires for shiny things that will only keep you from your goals and not actually reaching them. The sooner you get disciplined and consistent is the sooner you’ll be able to dominate in real estate.”
— Taylor Sanzo
Jose NegronSebastian Restrepo
José Negron
Age: 32
Community: Holyoke
His story: Born in Puerto Rico, José Negron is a bishop at CML Iglesia in Holyoke, a multicultural, non-denominational church offering biblical studies, youth services, a religious school and free sports clinics.
In Spanish, CML stands for “Casa De Milagros and Liberación,” which translates to “House of Miracle and Liberation.” The church was established in 2015 in Springfield, and moved to Holyoke in 2021.
A father to three daughters who is married to his high school sweetheart, Negron said his church loves working with children and young people, and recognizes that everyone can face different barriers to obtaining a quality education.
In that vein, in 2019, Negron created an accredited academy associated with the church staffed by experienced teachers. In 2021, they launched the Wolves Team Training Academy, offering basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball and table tennis free of charge to support the next generation of young athletes.
Negron said he studied for seven years in order to be appointed a bishop, which included a doctorate in theology. He’s spent nearly 15 years as a missionary visiting Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Turkey, Colombia, Panama and Israel.
In his words: “Love the life you have and what you plan to have. Forgive any difficult situation you lived. Reign over your dreams.”
— Hadley Barndollar
Courtesy of Elisa Olivo.Elisa Olivo
Elisa Olivo
Age: 41
Community: West Springfield
Her story: Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, and now a West Springfield resident, Elisa Olivo told MassLive that she’s always loved being involved in her community.
Before she came to Massachusetts, she studied business administration, management and operations at Columbia Central University in Puerto Rico. She found work with the Department of Justice but after Hurricane Maria hit the island territory, she chose to move to the U.S., according to her biography.
Olivo knew her new life in the States with her son, who is autistic, would “begin from zero,” she said.
“As a single mother of an autistic child, I understand the challenges of finding reliable care while managing unconventional work schedules,” Olivo said.
Olivo works as a learning specialist through the New North Citizens’ Council‘s Parent-Child Program. In this role, she visits families to support early childhood education by “providing tools and resources to help parents foster their children’s development from a young age,” she said.
She pursued working in this role on account of her dream to open a childcare center specialized in supporting children with disabilities, she added. In this role, she has met with other families from across Latin America, including Guatemala and Ecuador. She feels as though she doing what is right for them.
“My personal experience drives my passion for creating a supportive environment for families facing similar struggles,” Olivo said.
Olivo’s son had difficulties with public school, she said, adding “They called three days a week.” She noticed that people in good standing with school officials, including local elected officials, seemed to have better access to the school.
“‘Oh my God, I have to do something,’” Olivo said to herself.
She ran for West Springfield’s councilor-at-large seat in 2023, which brought her face-to-face with other parents who felt that they were struggling, too. Those who approached Olivo during the campaign “thanked me for giving them another perspective.”
While she did not win, she plans to run again in the future but is also looking at a potential run for a school committee position, Olivo told MassLive.
“In that position, I hope I can make things better for parents and students,” she said.
In her words: “Always go after what you want no matter what.”
— Ryan Mancini
Dr. Noe Ortega is the commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.Courtesy of Sperling Interactive
Dr. Noe Ortega
Age: 50
Community: Boston
His story: Dr. Noe Ortega leads the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education as its commissioner.
“Our team at DHE has overseen the launch of programs that have made college more affordable for countless students,” he said.
In 2023, the Commonwealth made community college free for students 25 and older through MassReconnect, Ortega added. The Commonwealth also made all state colleges free for low-income students through MASSGrant Plus and extended in-state tuition and financial aid to eligible undocumented students.
“Massachusetts built on that historic progress in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget through MassEducate, which has made community college tuition and fee-free for all eligible students regardless of age and income level,” he said.
“We have also brought students into our public higher education system through early college programs, and there are now about 50 such partnerships in Massachusetts,” he added.
Ortega said he started his college journey to do better for himself. By the time he finished his undergraduate degree at St. Edwards University, his goal was to “do better for others.”
“College made me realize I could play a role in the lives of those around me, and that realization naturally led me to the education field,” he said.
He started his career in higher ed in financial aid, where he saw how university policies and systems affected students’ experiences.
Later, he traveled and lived in Japan for seven years to become an educator at Kogakusha, a language institute in Osaka, Japan. There he trained teachers in early childhood language acquisition.
He then went on to get his master’s in school counseling from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi while he worked in higher education, focusing in educational equity.
After working at Michigan State University for eight years, he worked at Pennsylvania’s Office of Postsecondary and Higher Education as deputy secretary and commissioner and then as secretary of education.
“I was drawn to Massachusetts for its commitment to advancing educational equity, and I look forward to the continued work ahead,” he said.
In her words: “I’m grateful that I took the path of working on campuses while I completed graduate school, because I got to build on course learnings with day-to-day work experiences, and vice versa.”
— Alvin Buyinza
Courtesy of Eddie Ortiz.Eddie Ortiz
Eddie Ortiz
Age: 40
Community: Springfield
His story: For 20 years, Springfield resident Eddie Ortiz has worked at Western New England University.
His history as a university employee began in the summer of 2004 when he worked in the housekeeping department, he told The Westerner for a profile last year.
“At the time, I was going to (Springfield Technical Community College) right down the road, and one of my friends got me in here,” Ortiz told the university’s student newspaper.
After that summer, Manager of Housekeeping Services Frank Lango asked Ortiz to keep working at the school “due to his great work,” The Westerner wrote. He moved from one job to another, eventually becoming part of the University Events Department’s set-up crew and working as a locksmith in the university’s public safety department.
“It was a really neat experience,” Ortiz told The Westerner about needing to go to locksmith school. “I even ended up actually making the dean’s list while I was there.”
Ortiz found his way back in the University Events Department, where he serves as the assistant director, he told MassLive. He also was elected as the university’s staff council president, where he “represented all the staff members on campus and worked closely with other staff members to advocate for all of us,” Ortiz said. He served during the 2022-2023 school year and was succeeded by Health Sciences Librarian Mike Mannheim.
“Higher Ed for me is special because I truly enjoy working with our students and building them (up) for the future. I love my job and it’s the reason why I’ve been around for 20 years on campus,” Ortiz told MassLive. “The relationship I build with my students, faculty and staff members it’s what’s so important to me.”
Along with his university work, Ortiz runs his own entertainment service small business called DJ Eddie O Entertainment. He is also the owners of Ortiz Family Cafe in Holyoke, along with his sister Ivette Ortiz. The cafe opened in 2022.
“Coming from an old school Puerto Rican family who is big on food and creative when cooking traditional dishes, pushed my sister and I to open Ortiz Family Cafe in Holyoke,” Ortiz said.
In his words: “Chase your dreams and don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone to get to where you want to be. Make sure you get out and network with community leaders and professionals and let yourself be known.”
— Ryan Mancini
Gladys Oyola-LopezSebastian Restrepo
Gladys Oyola-Lopez
Age: 50
Community: Springfield
Her story: Gladys Oyola-Lopez has worked for decades in state and local government, including the Commonwealth of Massachusetts both at University of Massachusetts Amherst and The House of Representatives in Boston.
Some of her other accomplishments and duties include being appointed as the first Latina election commissioner in the Commonwealth in 2010. In 2021, she was also elected by the Springfield City Council as the first Latina city clerk, as well as designated as the first Latinx cabinet head in the city of Springfield by Mayor Domenic Sarno.
“Voting is the cornerstone of any healthy democracy,” she said. “As a result, I strive to make voting accessible to all Springfield residents regardless of socio-economic or language barriers. As the only Latinx department head in the city of Springfield, I also consider myself to be a voice in government for my community.”
Oyola-Lopez was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in the north end of Springfield. Her mother worked for the New North Citizen’s Council, allowing Oyola-Lopez to spend time there after school. From a young age, the Springfield resident saw “how important small grassroots organizations were in providing much-needed services to the most vulnerable in our community.”
Since she was 10-years-old, she has also volunteered for elected officials, non-profit organizations and the city of Springfield among others.
As she puts it, “public service is in my DNA.”
In her words: “Before I was old enough to work, I volunteered my time, answering phones or holding signs. I would advise anyone interested in pursuing a career in local government to become engaged at any level. Attend a neighborhood council meeting, volunteer at a school or get involved in your local ward committee. I will be forever grateful to all the community leaders who served as mentors to me and helped me on my path to a career in public service.”
— Taylor Sanzo
Veronica Ramos RowlinsonCourtesy image
Veronica Ramos Rowlinson
Age: 37
Community: Somerville
Her story: Growing up in a largely white suburb in Utah, Veronica Ramos Rowlinson rarely saw herself reflected in her education, either what it was she was learning or those who were teaching it to her.
Rowlinson did not have a Latino educator until her sophomore year of college. It’s that experience that his driven the English teacher and instructional coach at Somerville High School to “deeply (internalize) the importance of representation in education.”
Rowlinson was recognized as a finalist for the 2023 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year.
In her role in Somerville, Rowlinson aspires to ensure all of her students are “exposed to and appreciate a variety of perspectives in the classroom and to amplify voices from communities that have historically been marginalized or omitted.”
Rowlinson is able to do so in part through the instructional coach role, where she focuses on how the school’s English department approaches teaching. Her goal there is to examine, question and challenge the “narratives often explored in the … classroom.”
In her own words: “Our voices and stories matter. Though there are often spaces and faces that try to force us into the margins, we deserve to take up space. When we do, we make more space for the next generation to find their joy and passions. Use that voice!”
— Charlie McKenna
Michael Reyes, a realtor from Western Mass.Kimberly Hatch
Michael Reyes
Age: 34
Community: Springfield
His story: As a realtor, Michael Reyes’s job is to help his clients navigate the complexities of buying and selling properties and ensure they have the representation that they need.
“Whether you’re just starting your real estate journey or are a seasoned investor, my goal is to guide you smoothly through the process,” Reyes said. “Sharing my knowledge with family, friends, and clients is not only fulfilling but also allows me to contribute directly to their success.”
Reyes has a background in commercial arts from high school and has used techniques he learned in the past for real estate marketing. At first, Reyes never expected to go into real estate. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, however, Reyes used his time studying real estate. Reyes said he has always loved helping people and educating himself, which eventually led him to become a realtor.
“I like to constantly challenge myself as I get older, and I knew that I wanted to learn something new, so I decided to take on the role of a real estate advisor,” he said. “My interest in real estate has grown more and more each year that goes by since obtaining my license.”
In addition to his work as a realtor, Reyes works with programs such as the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to advocate for minorities who are targeted by financial institutions that use predatory lending practices.
Reyes believes everyone deserves the right guidance and support to achieve their real estate goals. He acknowledged that real estate can be challenging but that it is also rewarding to see how excited his clients get on closing day.
“Homeownership is powerful when creating generational wealth, providing stability, and financial independence,” Reyes said. “These opportunities have a direct impact on the growth, diversity, and inclusivity of our communities.”
In his words: “Have your clients best interest at heart and never stop educating yourself because you can never know too much in this industry.”
— Adam Bass
Sgt. Naomi Reyes becomes the 1st Hispanic female Supervisor in the history of the Springfield Police Department in 2020. (Don Treeger / The Republican)Don Treeger/Springfield Republican
Age: 41
Community: Springfield
Her story: Naomi Reyes always wanted to do meaningful work in her community. Raised in Springfield, Reyes said had experienced firsthand the outcomes of drug abuse and made it her goal to be part of the solution.
As a sergeant for the Springfield Police Department (SPD) and a supervisor for the Springfield police youth aid division and the student support unit, Reyes is now giving back to her community by working with juveniles and building trust within communities.
“Our diversion programs for law violations and everyday mentorship with students provide an avenue for second chances and create relationships with the youth that in turn creates trust within the communities,” Reyes said. “Having police officers that are from the same neighborhoods, speak the language and have experienced the same struggles that some of the youth may face is an amazing way to communicate and get through to some of the juveniles that need guidance the most. The credibility that it establishes in their minds is a testimony to the youth, that people just like them from places just like them can achieve their goals through hard work and perseverance.”
Reyes said she worked towards the goal of joining SPD for years. She joined the Army National Guard as a military police officer with the 972nd Military Police Company in 2004 and was then promoted to sergeant in 2007. After returning from her deployment to Iraq in 2008, Reyes would obtain a criminal justice and psychology degree.
In 2010, Reyes officially joined the Springfield Police Department. Two years later, Reyes was deployed to the Middle East following her promotion to staff sergeant in the military.
“I shortly after made the decision to focus on one of my careers and pursue growth within that work force,” Reyes said. “I finished my enlistment with the military in 2019 with my last three years as part of the Air National Guard.”
In 2020, Reyes was promoted to sergeant with the Springfield Police Department — becoming the first Latina supervisor in SPD history.
In her words: “If you were to pursue being a police officer, ensure to have the values to represent yourself as well as the department as a whole. You must have the love to pursue it despite its reputation and its hardships, and you have to be committed to your mental health and spiritual wellbeing. The job itself is not easy and the rewards are not always seen or felt, but much like faith you have to trust that your efforts will lead to the intended end.”
— Adam Bass
Enid RiveraSebastian Restrepo
Enid Rivera
Age: 48
Community: Springfield
Her story: Enid Rivera has always strived for excellence and to do well by those around her. She graduated as the valedictorian of her class from Springfield’s High School of Commerce in 1993. Through her participation in a mock trial team, Rivera began her “passion for social justice,” she added.
Continuing her education, she attended American International College in Springfield where she studied and obtained a degree in sociology, learning about human behavior and the consequences of those behaviors.
Her career began almost three decades ago when she entered the United States Postal Service (USPS).
“I gained a spirit for advocacy for the working community,” Rivera said. “After studying the contract language, I was determined to support workers who were treated unfairly.”
Rivera served as a union steward for 12 years before being elected to her current role in 2021 as maintenance craft director for the APWU Local 497, which represents about 760 postal workers around Western Massachusetts.
“Within my first year, I effectively represented employees in cases involving pay scale discrepancies, resulting in the recovery of back wages,” Rivera said.
She described the role of maintenance in the postal union as one that’s traditionally “male-dominated,” but that “women are increasingly joining the field.” Rivera added she is now the union’s first Puerto Rican and female maintenance craft director.
Rivera said she’s been inspired by the words of people like U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who has expressed support in the work Rivera and her fellow union representatives do.
“Hispanic women are advocating for the rights of others and are advancing rights in all fields,” Rivera added.
Now in her second term of leadership, Rivera said she works to ensure contractual protections for maintenance postal workers. Rivera added she has worked alongside more than 20 union stewards to file grievances for employees in need of “support against unjust practices from upper management.”
“This work includes filing on behalf of employees who are owed compensation, advocating for employees who have taken Family Medical Leave Assistance, articulating reasonable accommodations for employees, and many other measures,” Rivera said.
Rivera called her work “tireless,” and said when necessary she will bring matters to arbitration. She said part of her work is also attending proceedings with union employees so that they know they’re not going it alone and have someone to support them.
“I study the contract and work closely with union stewards to negotiate, compromise, and resolve issues amicably and professionally,” Rivera said. “As the APWU Maintenance Craft Director, I believe in the strength of unions in all fields as one of our strongest American values. My community is my union, and I am proud to be a representative for us all.”
In her words: “For Hispanic individuals, and Hispanic women in particular, do not be afraid to trailblaze and be the first in whatever path you seek. Your community and the world need you and your powerful voices. As my mother always said, ‘sigue luchando,’ keep fighting!”
— Chris McLaughlin
Lorna Rivera, professor of Latino Studies and director of the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development & Public Policy at the University of Massachusetts-Boston.Javier Rivas/UMass Boston photographer
Lorna Rivera
Age: 54
Community: Boston
Her story: Lorna Rivera is a professor of Latino Studies at the University of Massachusetts-Boston (UMass).
Outside of the classroom, Rivera serves as the director of the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development & Public Policy at UMass Boston.
As the Gastón director, Rivera leads community-based research projects, coordinates public policy advocacy, oversees federally funded projects and supports leadership development programs for Latinos in Massachusetts, among other duties.
“With more specific research and data about Latinos we have been able to develop laws and shape public policies and practices that address the needs of our growing Latino population,” Rivera told MassLive.
“The work that we do highlights important differences between Puerto Ricans, Guatemalans, Colombians, Salvadorans, Brazilians, and Dominicans — our largest groups in Massachusetts — and our research shows the incredible diversity of lived experiences across all of our Latino cultures,” she said.
As someone who has dedicated her life to bringing more light to various Hispanic and Latino communities, Rivera said leading the Gastón Institute “is a dream come true” because her work “increases knowledge about the history, experiences, contributions and positive impact of Latinos in the United States.”
As the daughter of Puerto Rican migrants, Rivera was the first person in her family to earn a college degree.
Growing up in Chicago, Illinois, Rivera said she “always wanted to be a teacher because it was my teachers who helped me survive and thrive.”
She later earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from DePaul University. During her time as a student, Rivera held a work-study job at the institution’s Center for Latino Research, working on community organizing projects and urban school reform.
“I learned from the best and was inspired by some of the leading scholars in Latino studies,” she said. “I became passionate about the power of research when I interviewed activists who were fighting for better schools and civil rights.”
This inspired Rivera to earn a master’s in sociology and a doctorate in sociology from Northeastern University. While at Northeastern, Rivera “had the amazing opportunity to work in the Latino Latin American & Caribbean Studies program and to coordinate community service internships.”
Now, Rivera’s work “is deeply rooted in gratitude and a sense of responsibility to care for other people because my communities showed care for me.”
Aside from being an educator, Rivera serves on the board of several non-profit organizations including Fenway High School, the Anna B Stearns Charitable Foundation and the Latino Equity Fund at the Boston Foundation.
Rivera said this work “has been especially rewarding because it is mission-driven work where I help to mobilize resources, to advocate for underserved communities and to build a better future.”
In her words: “In order to work in solidarity and to be a true ally we should always critically reflect on our own ‘positionality.’ We should think about who we are in relationship.”
— David Cifarelli
Miguel RiveraSebastian Restrepo
Miguel E. Rivera
Age: 41
Community: Springfield
His story: Miguel E. Rivera is the CEO of Rewarding Insurance Agency, LLC, where he helps senior citizens in Massachusetts get life and health insurance.
“Our goal is to make things easier for them and connect them with services that enhance their quality of life,” Rivera said. “Since we’re brokers, we can compare options from different insurance carriers to find the best fit for our clients.”
Rivera said he also serves on the Board of the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and he’s a mentor with EFofAll, a nonprofit organization that works with underrepresented people to help them grow a business. In 2024, he earned two Grow Holyoke Awards for Business Person of the Year and Business of the Year.
In 2011, Rivera said he was working at a car dealership in Puerto Rico and was itching for “something new.”
After his uncle and wife both died of cancer and kidney failure, Rivera said someone suggested he become an insurance agent to help families get through rough times.
“It sounded like a great fit, so I went for it,” he said. Now, I’m all about helping people and making sure they’re covered when life gets challenging.”
In his words: “I’d advise others to surround themselves with people who help them grow, read plenty of books, take on tasks others might shy away from.”
— Alvin Buyinza
Yadilette Rivera ColónSebastian Restrepo
Yadilette Rivera Colón
Age: 38
Community: Holyoke
Her story: A native of Puerto Rico and proud first-generation college student, Yadilette Rivera Colón calls herself “a rebel teacher.”
A researcher and educator who chairs the undergraduate science programs at Bay Path University, Rivera Colón has a strong, personal drive to connect with Latinas and other underserved populations to share her love of science.
She earned her doctorate in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2013 and went on to become a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania. Today, Rivera Colón splits her time between the labs at Bay Path helping students with their research projects, teaching biochemistry, visiting the Holyoke STEM Academy “to open students there to the wonders of the scientific world,” and an array of community service roles.
Rivera Colón is passionate about inspiring the next generation of women scientists, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. Her community service has also included involvement with Girls Inc. of the Valley, Latino Scholarship Fund of Western Massachusetts and MassHire Holyoke. She is also a Holyoke School Committee member.
Rivera Colón said one of her greatest accomplishments has been the development of a new STEM class for 7th and 8th grade students in Holyoke Public Schools, focused on hands-on learning and problem-solving.
In her words: “Grow your network. Everyone has something to offer to this world and has different talents, so meet others. Once you identify your passion find opportunities and get involved.”
— Hadley Barndollar
Maria Rivera CottoSebastian Restrepo
Maria Rivera-Cotto
Age: 54
Community: Worcester
Her story: Born in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, Maria Rivera-Cotto grew up, works and still lives in Worcester.
She attended Sullivan Middle School and South High Community School, then received her Bachelor of Arts from Boston College and her Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School. By day, she worked as a social worker for the state, she told MassLive.
“I worked for DCF by day and attended law school at night,” Rivera-Cotto continued. After she graduated, she moved on to work as an assistant district attorney in the Worcester County District Attorney’s office.
In this role, she conducted jury trials of domestic violence and other criminal cases before she founded her own family law office in Worcester, according to the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition’s profile on Rivera-Cotto.
She also serves as MAWOCC’s general counsel and vice president of the central region. MAWOCC’s mission and goals “include work and advocacy regarding the eradication of racial inequities for women of color created by structural, institutional, interpersonal and internalized racism in our communities,” Rivera-Cotto told MassLive.
“We do this work in areas such as political and civic leadership, economic justice reform and in the health and wellness space,” she said.
Along with her legal work, Rivera-Cotto also helps Latinos in Worcester by working with Centro, Inc. Known as Centro Las Americas when it was founded in 1977, Centro, Inc. offers a food pantry, community support services and family support services, among other programs, Rivera-Cotto said.
One program she used as an example is Centro, Inc.’s Adult Foster Care program, which “provides assistance to adults 16 years and older who, because of illness, weakness, disability, or advanced age, cannot live safely at home alone,” according to Centro, Inc.’s website.
By working with MAWOCC and Centro, Inc., Rivera-Cotto sees them both “contributing to the betterment of our communities, especially to our communities of color,” she said.
“I feel passionate about helping our communities of color and women of color have access to the resources that will improve and enhance their lives while overcoming barriers and where we can all strive to achieve our purposeful lives,” she said.
In her words: “I would remind others that we need each other, that a healthy and thriving society is one in which we seek to uplift each other, support our families, and extend kindness, compassion and love for our fellow citizens. There is more that unites us than divides us. Doing community service work can be very challenging but will be the most rewarding experience of your lives.”
— Ryan Mancini
Yashira RoblesSebastian Restrepo
Yashira Robles
Age: 35
Community: Lawrence
Her story: Yashira Robles is the director of placement and financial aid for Community Day Charter Public Schools in Lawrence. Her job is to oversee helping students and families through the high school placement process.
“I provide essential support at every stage, ensuring that each student has a personalized pathway for applying to schools, including submitting applications, transcripts, essays, and securing financial aid,” Robles said.
Robles said that many of the families she assists are Spanish-speaking and unfamiliar with the process of applying to high schools outside of their local public school, as well as the financial aid process.
Students who have gone through this process have advanced to day and boarding schools in and outside of Massachusetts, according to Robles. Robles said these schools include Phillips Andover, Milton Academy, Concord Academy, Boston University Academy, St. Mark’s School and local parochial and technical schools.
“I work closely with each family, tailoring the process to the student’s academic abilities, interests, and needs,” she said. “Through this personalized approach, my team and I ensure that students not only gain access to high-quality educational opportunities but also consider schools that will provide the support needed to thrive.”
Prior to joining Community Day Charter Public Schools, Robles spent more than four years serving as the director of women’s health advocacy services at the YWCA of Greater Lawrence. In that role, Robles said she coordinated outreach programs, cultivated partnerships, and connected underserved populations to critical health services. She also led community-wide initiatives that targeted health disparities, organized events and managed a team which supported hundreds of families annually.
“During that time, I honed my skills in advocacy, project management, and leadership, which have translated into my work now,” she said. “My ability to guide families through complex systems, whether in health services or education, has been invaluable. Additionally, as a Latina and bilingual professional, I understand the critical role of representation and the unique challenges our students face.”
Robles said that as a Latina, she is aware of the impact access to quality education can have — which has reinforced her commitment towards supporting students from diverse backgrounds.
“My work with the YWCA, involvement with various organizations and boards in the Lawrence community, and my educational experiences have all contributed to shaping my approach and dedication in my current role,” Robles said.
In her words: “For those pursuing a similar career, my key advice is to cultivate empathy and cultural competence. Understanding the unique challenges and backgrounds of the families you work with is crucial. Spend time listening to their needs and experiences, and always approach your work with sensitivity and respect.”
— Adam Bass
Elizabeth Román of New England Public Media. (Don Treeger / The Republican)Don Treeger
Elizabeth Román
Age: 40
Community: Springfield
Her story: Elizabeth Román began her journalism career at the age of 19 where she was an intern at The Springfield Republican — and later became a full-time reporter. She spent nearly 20 years with the outlet and in 2018 became the editor of El Pueblo Latino, a Spanish-language weekly newspaper of The Republican.
Writing thousands of articles about the Latino community, Román added to her repertoire by becoming the lead editor for the book “Nuestra Historia: A History of Latinos in Western Massachusetts.”
In 2020 she became a co-founder of Colectivo de Medios Latinos, a digital collaboration with other Latino journalists in the region, providing current news online in Spanish during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two years later, Román joined New England Public Media (NEPM) in Springfield as the managing editor, editing reporters, working to expand the diversity of sources in news coverage and exploring ways to create more Spanish-language news content.
She later became promoted to the Managing Editor of Daily & Digital News, leading “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.”
Román also works with reporters to cover events and social issues in Western Massachusetts and helps assign reporters stories and edits their work.
“As a Puerto Rican woman born and raised in Springfield I strive to get the voices of often marginalized or forgotten people on the airwaves. Our reporters are able to celebrate and highlight the contributions of people of color in our region and shift the narrative in media that often focuses on only the negative,” Román said.
Román said NEPM can also highlight injustices and struggles that people in Western Massachusetts are facing including in education, health care, mental health and housing.
In her words: “Be curious about the world around you and how it connects with the community you live in. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and dig deeper into issues that matter to you, but also be open to exploring topics that you may not have an interest in or that you know nothing about. Challenge yourself to interact with and interview people who may have very different beliefs and opinions than you.”
— Juliet Schulman-Hall
Julio César Román-Ríos, founder and owner of Micro Plant Studio in South Boston.Courtesy Photo
Julio César Román-Ríos
Age: 47
Community: Boston
His story: Julio César Román-Ríos has gone from humble beginnings to running one of the most prosperous plant companies in the region.
He is an award-winning artist, web designer, community engagement strategist, plant enthusiast and member of the LGBTQ+ community.
But perhaps his biggest title is founder and owner of the renowned Micro Plant Studio in South Boston, which is more than just a culmination of his life’s work.
“In 2017, after undergoing an unexpected surgery, Julio found comfort, optimism, and happiness in caring for his growing collection of succulent and tropical plants,” he told MassLive. “As an artist, he became fascinated by the biology of succulents and began experimenting with propagation, using cool glass tubes and other containers. Soon, his small studio apartment was filled with plants, and he began photographing them alongside his collectible tiny toys, creating dramatic environments.”
Micro Plant Studio is the first Latinx-owned plant business in New England and the first plant store to 3D design and print plant products, according to the store’s website.
The business has been featured in the Chronicle, Boston Globe, ABC and Meet Boston. Boston Magazine named Micro Plant Studio as the Best Indoor Plants in 2020 as well.
Outside of his work Mirco Plant Studio, Román-Ríos “is deeply committed to helping others develop social and emotional skills, feel safe, and find career opportunities.”
Román-Ríos was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, and grew up in Hartford, Connecticut.
Raised by a single mother, Román-Ríos was the first man in his family to attend college, earning a diploma in fine arts and a bachelor of fine arts from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University in Boston. He later earned a master’s of public policy from Tufts University and went on to work with several non-profit organizations like Sociedad Latina, Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción and Year Up, before launching his own business.
In his words: “Success does not follow a linear trajectory but rather resembles mountainous terrain with various challenges along the way. Sometimes, reaching a goal may require a longer, more intricate route, often leading to the most valuable lessons.”
— David Cifarelli
Nayroby RosaDave Eisenstadter/MassLive.com
Nayroby Rosa
Age: 40
Community: Holyoke
Her story: Nayroby Rosa was just 22 years old when she bought her first house. But without the proper guidance in home buying that an organization like the one she heads now provides, Rosa said she quickly put herself and her family into an unstable place.
Eighteen years later, Rosa leads at OneHolyoke CDC as a director of community engagement and resident services. She works with families, organizations and the entire Holyoke community as part of the nonprofit’s mission to improve housing for low- to moderate-income families in the city.
“Throughout all my transitions, my goal was stability and consistency for my family,” Rosa said. She said she was “lucky and blessed” to learn about different opportunities she could have to better her situation, and wanted to use those skills to educate others in her position.
In her first position as a direct service advocate and after moving to Western Massachusetts from New York City, she worked with teen mothers through the YWCA of Western Mass.
Now, Rosa has established the first-ever strategic plan for OneHolyoke CDC to find where she could be helpful in her community. She hopes to continue to build out initiatives and programs to help “civic, community, education, public safety, and health engagement.”
“Creating bridges to self-sufficiency and access to resources is an important factor of the work that I do. For our entire community to thrive, all aspects of needs should be addressed,” Rosa said.
Rosa is also involved on several boards, committees, community efforts and task forces that address barriers families face.
In her words: “It is important to know that in order to do this work you must have passion, compassion and empathy. Everyone is battling a journey we do not know, and we must be eager to be helpful and reliable.”
— Irene Rotondo
Pedro Sanchez Jr.Sebastian Restrepo
Pedro Sanchez Jr.
Age: 43
Community: Springfield
His story: For over a decade, Pedro Sanchez Jr. has committed his time and efforts to empowering communities through consultations and coaching services for small businesses.
Sanchez is passionate about leadership and community development, and fostering financial literacy in underrepresented communities.
“My goal has always been to help these entrepreneurs navigate challenges, grow their businesses, and contribute positively to the local economy,” Sanchez said. “Whether it’s refining business strategies, enhancing operational efficiencies, or fostering leadership skills, I take pride in seeing the tangible impact of my support on their success.”
Sanchez founded BlueX Solutions, LLC, in 2018, where he has had the opportunity to work with organizations like New North Citizen Council, Latino Economic Development Co., Amplify LatinX and Massachusetts Technical Assistance Center for Problem Gambling Treatment.
Through his work, Sanchez has help teach financial literacy and business acumen to single mothers, entrepreneurs and mental health professionals.
“What drives me is the belief that strong leadership and community-focused entrepreneurship are the cornerstones of a thriving society,” Sanchez said. “By equipping individuals with the tools they need to succeed, I aim to create a ripple effect that extends beyond the immediate results, fostering long-term growth, resilience, and prosperity for all.”
Sanchez’s passion for leadership development has spanned over two decades — providing leadership training and mentorship within faith-based communities across industries.
His journey began in the engineering field where he built a career as a growing leader managing teams and driving improvement, though his passion led him to expand his impact beyond the cooperate world.
In his words: “In today’s world, there are many paths to success. Trust your instincts, pursue your interests, and develop the skills to master your craft.”
— Dallas Gagnon
Maria Servellón, 34, is a Boston-based filmmaker, artist and educator.Stephanie Houten
Maria Servellón
Age: 34
Community: Boston
Her story: Maria Servellón is a multimedia artist, filmmaker and educator whose work delves into the interplay between art, music and dance and how they can shape one’s identity.
Originally from Boston, Servellón studied at UMass Boston for her undergraduate degree, according to her Northeastern University lecturer profile. It took her a while to figure out what major would keep the creative “spark” alive in her, but she eventually settled on studio art, she wrote.
“In school, I was the student who eagerly cleared my desk whenever the art or science teacher announced something new,” she wrote. “The chance of building, crafting, designing and exploring things from different angles always filled me with excitement.”
Servellón went on to earn a master of fine arts degree in film and media art from Emerson College, according to her Northeastern profile. Since then, she’s completed several artist fellowships, and her award-winning films have been featured at over a dozen film festivals, according to her website.
“My goal in this work is to use art to inspire, uplift and connect people,” she wrote. “I hope to continue to help building this community, where art is a catalyst for positive change.”
One of Servellón’s most notable works is a short, semi-biographical film called “Hyphen.” It follows four versions of the same character as they embark on a transformative journey of identity and learn to use different artistic mediums to overcome their challenges.
“Through collaboration and experimentation, I enjoy creating immersive experiences that foster dialogue and understanding, both within the self and the community,” she wrote. “Spaces to create and play serve as places for collective growth.”
Servellón has since become an arts educator and is currently teaching at Northeastern and Massachusetts College of Art & Design.
“I feel immense pride seeing my students light up with the same creative excitement I once felt. To watch them engage with something creative and new and it be an inspirational joy,” she wrote. “My mission is to empower the next generation of artists to create meaningful work.”
But Servellón says she’s simply grateful to be able to continue pursuing her creative work.
“Over the years, I’ve met many professionals who currently work in corporate or boardrooms. I’m often struck by how many wanted to artists, singers, dancers or actors when they were younger, as if a lost dream,” she wrote. “I believe the creative door is never closed to anyone and is open to all.”
In her words: “If your story holds deep meaning for you, and the journey of living it has been worthwhile, share it with those who need to hear it.”
— Susannah Sudborough
Beatriz Thomas. (Courtesy photo)Beatriz Thomas
Beatriz Thomas
Age: 31
Community: Somerville
Her story: Beatriz Thomas is a social studies teacher at Somerville High School, where she teaches 9th grade. The school is also where she herself attended high school, and her experiences growing up inspired her to become a teacher.
“I never saw myself in the educators that I had throughout my life,” said Thomas, who is in her eighth year teaching. “It’s so important for youth to have positive role models, especially staff of color.”
She studied education in college and became a Donovan Urban Teaching Scholar while completing her graduate degree at Boston College, which she said affirmed her passion for social justice in education.
Thomas spent her first three years teaching at a middle school and in 2019, she won the Richard Aieta Award for Promising New Teacher from the Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies.
The following year, she returned to her alma mater, and since then, she has worked on the staff Equity Team and the student council and founded the Latinx Student Union.
Thomas said being a Latina educator can be “alienating,” but that her relationships with students, colleagues and the school community are “affirming and inspiring” and keep her going.
She added that she knows the work she does helps both the community and the students she works with.
“I … am committed to teaching the whole child,” she said. “From how to navigate the building to critical thinking of historical themes, I am there for my students.”
In her words: “Education can be accessible for all students and my goal every day is to make all students feel safe and energized. I give my whole self in the classroom because my students deserve an education with high expectations while also having fun.”
— Tréa Lavery
Ricard Torres-MatelunaSebastian Restrepo
Ricard Torres-Mateluna
Age: 51
Community: Springfield
His story: Since the early 2000s, Ricard Torres-Mateluna has dedicated his time and efforts towards helping people with disabilities from underserved communities.
“I forge meaningful connections between individuals, their unique stories, and our diverse communities through the specialized services our organization offers,” Torres-Mateluna said. “Together, we’re not just providing services; we’re building bridges, fostering understanding, and creating a more vibrant, interconnected community where everyone has the chance to thrive beyond limits.”
Torres-Mateluna is the vice president of marketing and communications of Viability — a non-profit organization located in Springfield that provides human services to individuals with disabilities. Serving in this role for three years now, Torres-Mateluna’s mission is to, “cultivate a more equitable and inclusive society, where people with disabilities and other disadvantages are empowered to reach their full potential.”
“My particular focus is on breaking down language barriers by ensuring our vital services are accessible to Spanish-speaking communities,” Torres-Mateluna told MassLive. “By bridging this gap, we open doors to opportunities and support that might otherwise remain out of reach.”
Torres-Mateluna’s advocacy journey began in Watsonville, California, where he worked with migrant workers looking for services for themselves and their families. These services ranged from lactation, immigration and accessible services for parents and children with disabilities, according to Torres-Mateluna. His journey would then take him to Reno, Nevada, where he would help create exhibits, educational materials and programs at the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum. The exhibits feature braille and audio spoken in Spanish, Tagalog, Basque and Paiute — the last of which is spoken by a Native American nation in the Reno Area, according to Torres-Mateluna.
“As an immigrant, Latino and a father of two children with disabilities I’ve made my mission to be active in making accessibility and inclusion possible for those who need our help getting access, recognition and services,” Torres-Mateluna told MassLive.
Recently, Torres-Mateluna has been serving as a member of the Northampton Jazz Festival’s board of directors. In this role, he has worked to ensure people with disabilities can volunteer at the festival in different capacities and that this year’s musical offerings are broad and welcoming to different styles and musicians worldwide. Torres-Mateluna told MassLive that as an immigrant who has witnessed firsthand the barriers certain groups face in accessing vital services, he has dedicated his career to bridging these gaps and empowering underserved communities.
“Every day, I witness how improved access to information and services can transform lives,” Torres-Mateluna told MassLive. “By breaking down language barriers and cultural misunderstandings, we’re not just providing services – we’re opening doors to opportunities and fostering a more inclusive society.”
In his words: “Immerse yourself in the communities you serve. There’s no substitute for direct engagement with people. Listen actively to their stories, challenges, and aspirations. This firsthand experience is invaluable – it will inform your work and fuel your passion.”
— Adam Bass
Boston Director of Cultural Affairs Alexandra Valdez. (Courtesy photo)Alexandra Valdez
Alexandra Valdez
Age: 31
Community: Boston
Her story: Alexandra Valdez is the city of Boston’s first director of cultural affairs, charged with promoting cultural diversity, inclusion and community engagement within city government.
“Our mission is rooted in the belief that embracing our differences leads to a stronger, more vibrant community where everyone feels valued and respected,” Valdez said.
Valdez was born in the Dominican Republic and immigrated to the United States as a child. She said her experience adapting to a new cultural environment “ignited (her) passion for cultural diversity and inclusion.”
Because she grew up in a community where she was surrounded by people from a variety of cultures, she became curious about how culture influences identity, which led her to study communications and political science in college followed by a graduate degree in public administration.
Valdez began her career in community organizing, advocating for the rights of Latino and minority communities.
“These early experiences solidified my commitment to social justice and equity, as I saw firsthand the power of culture as a unifying force that can bridge divides and foster a sense of belonging,” she said. Eventually, she began working for the city, and in June, she was appointed to her current role. She said one of the most important facets of her job is the city’s Cultural Advisor Program. Advisors work with diverse cultural communities around the city to identify their unique needs, which Valdez said is essential to keep city initiatives “responsive and impactful.”
“Listening is crucial — take the time to understand the needs, challenges, and aspirations of the people you aim to support,” she said. “Your role is not just to lead but to amplify the voices of those who may not always be heard.”
Valdez also helps the city to develop cultural programming and events through partnerships with community organizations as well as policies that address the unique needs of each community, monitoring progress to ensure that new policies are implemented effectively.
She said to be successful in her role, she works to embrace and understand diverse cultures, be authentic and confident in her own identity and build strong relationships with people throughout Boston. “We strive to build a Boston where every voice is heard, every culture is celebrated and every community thrives,” she said.
In her words: “Passion is the fuel that will sustain you through the ups and downs. When you truly care about what you do, it shows, and it will inspire others to join you in creating a more inclusive and vibrant community.”
— Tréa Lavery
Rosa Valentin is the supervisor of the multilingual learner program in Springfield Public Schools.Rosa Valentin
Rosa Valentin
Age: 61
Community: Springfield
Her story: Rosa Valentin has spent three decades working to help multilingual learners in the Springfield public schools, first as a 4th and 5th-grade teacher and now as the acting director of the district’s multilingual learner program. It’s a role that carries a personal connection for Valentin, who experienced what she called a “sink or swim” experience when she started school in Texas.
Valentin recalled having difficulty understanding her teachers as a Spanish speaker coming from Puerto Rico. It’s that “problematic experience” that has guided Valentin to her role in Springfield.
“I’m deeply committed to ensuring that no student who speaks a language other than English has to go through the frustration or lack of support that I did,” she said. “Every day, I work passionately and enthusiastically to ensure multilingual learners receive the help they need for a fulfilling educational experience.”
Each of the last 22 summers, Valentin has worked to create programs to help Springfield’s multilingual students with their language skills to put them in a position to succeed in the coming school year.
Valentin explained that her passion for the work comes from a desire to be a role model for students who “may not always see leaders who look like them.”
“I want them to see in me a reflection of their potential, knowing that they can achieve great things with dedication and support,” she said.
In education, Valentin sees the power to “transform lives and strengthen our community” and to grow a new generation of leaders.
“I am committed to harnessing that power,” she said.
In her words: “A career in education is gratifying because you get to make a real difference in the lives of students and the community … Always keep in mind that there is truly no better feeling than the one you get when a student experiences success … and now a world of possibilities is open for them.”
— Charlie McKenna
Carmen G. Vázquez-AndinoDave Eisenstadter/MassLive.com
Rev. Dr. Carmen G. Vázquez-Andino
Age: 77
Community: Holyoke
Her story: Carmen Vázquez-Andino has spent more than three decades serving Holyoke as a minister at Church of Jesus Christ Agape Ministries, Inc., which she started with her husband in 1992.
As Vázquez-Andino tells it, her contributions to Western Massachusetts are myriad and extend beyond just the church. She attends interfaith meetings with current city leaders, and has done so stretching back several mayoral administrations. Before that, spent 15 years volunteering at the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow.
Now, she visits hospitals and nursing homes to bring an “uplifting word and prayer for the patients.” That outreach work extends to referring people to detox and/or rehab programs along with assisting families needing domestic violence support.
Before she became an ordained minister and before moving to the U.S., Vázquez-Andino obtained a bachelor’s in arts with a concentration as an economist from the Inter American University in Puerto Rico. While living in Puerto Rico with her husband, the Rev. Javier Andino, a professional baseball player, Vázquez-Andino worked for the island’s department of health, planning board and treasury department.
It was only after her husband retired from professional baseball that the couple felt called to come to the States. But Vázquez-Andino’s husband died in January 2001, less than a decade after starting the church.
Vázquez-Andino “continued God’s calling.”
“With (God’s) help, I have been able to achieve everything I have,” she said. “I have been able to fulfill and continue to walk in every door that has opened for me through his will. I am honored and thankful for everything he has allowed me to do and continues to allow me to do on behalf of our community.”
In her words: “Everyone has a calling in life. Study, seek the advice from mentors that may give you light. Work hard, strive for what you want, be a risk-taker, never be afraid of pursuing your dreams.”
— Charlie McKenna
