BOARD + STAFF
NATIONAL OFFICE
Erika Bernal
Training Support SpecialistAs a Training Support Specialist, Erika assists with the AP/OD institute by providing logistical support. She is a first generation college graduate, who received her bachelor’s degree in Studio Art with a minor in Women Studies from the University of California Riverside. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 5 years and is excited to support the AP/OD team. Outside of work, Erika spends her time reading, trying new foods, attending art shows, and enjoying the outdoors.
Josefina Bojorquez
National Project CoordinatorAs the Community Engagement Senior Coordinator, Josefina collaborates in developing and implementing innovative programs and initiatives that provide parents with the tools and resources they need to advocate for their children and effect positive change within their communities. She assists in outreach strategies and efforts to support and uplift parents in becoming effective leaders in their children’s education, health, and overall well-being through her commitment to amplifying the voices of parents and caregivers and fostering collaborative partnerships. She received her bachelor’s degree from Connecticut College.
Karina Burciaga
Executive Support SpecialistKarina Burciaga is the Executive Support Specialist; her role is to support our Executive Director and ongoing projects. Karina has worked in the non-profits sector for over 10 years. Her scope of work has included immigrant rights, economic development, education, housing, and refugee & asylee services. She is a first-generation college graduate, with a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico in Journalism and Mass Communication. Karina is thrilled to join AP/OD and contribute to the on-going work and success of the organization. In her free time Karina enjoys time with her family, traveling, exploring new restaurants, and catching up with her favorite shows!
Lynette Carrillo
Strategic Marketing ManagerLynette develops innovative strategies that amplify the voices of those who need it most. She uses her marketing skills to drive change. Lynette is a first-generation college graduate with a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fullerton in Mass Communications.
Daisy Castañeda
National Director of Learning and TrainingIn her role as the National Director of Learning and Training, Daisy is responsible for the overall direction and success of AP/OD’s curriculum learning and national training institutes. She oversees AP/OD’s efforts to ensure the strategic delivery of high-quality programs and services through the development of trainings and workshops to support the implementation of the curriculum and family engagement strategies. Daisy is passionate and committed to AP/OD’s mission and work – helping families and communities thrive to help promote positive outcomes for children. She is a native Angeleno and a first-generation college graduate. She holds a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis on leadership.
Isela Fernandez
Program Impact ManagerIsela has 6 years of experience as a lifestyle coach and has facilitated many different educational programs, including the Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors curriculum. She now supports the program by monitoring AP/OD’s implementation, evaluation, and impact. Isela holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Science with a concentration in Public Health. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, walking on the beach, and driving to new destinations.
Cristina Gonzalez
Implementation and Advocacy ManagerCristina joins AP/OD with over 10 years of experience working in communities, community-based organizations, and in schools. Cristina is a first-generation graduate who holds a dual BA from University of California, San Diego in International Studies, Political Science, and Spanish Literature. She also holds a Masters degree from UCLA in Latin American Studies with an emphasis in Public Health, Latino/a Families, and History. She is currently working toward her Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy at Pepperdine University.
Sandra Gutierrez
Founder and National AdvisorSandra has over 47 years of experience with legal, advocacy, and community organizations. Prior to founding Abriendo Puertas by listening to Latino parents, she developed programs for families in the child welfare system, founded the first organization to assist Central American Refugees, developed health programs for the United Farm Workers of America, and led campaigns promoting the benefits of preschool to the Latino community. Sandra served as a founding member and State Commissioner for First 5 California and serves on the Advisory Board for the Too Small to Fail Initiative. She was named by the 2014 White House as a Cesar E. Chavez Champion of Change and received the 2015 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award. In 2020, Sandra was recognized by The Holding Co. as part of the CARE 100 in the Educators category.
Debbie Ignacio
National Operations DirectorDebbie Ignacio handles the daily operations and management of the finance and administration functions for the AP/OD program. She immigrated to the US after completing her degree in Management, with a minor in Accounting from the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines. She began her nonprofit career 15 years ago, providing office and financial management with the Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation.
Javier Martínez
Managing Director of National PolicyJavier Martínez has worked alongside New Mexico’s communities for over 20 years. His career started in 2000 as a community organizer in Albuquerque’s historic Barelas, Wells Park, and Sawmill neighborhoods. In 2001 he was hired by Partnership for Community Action (PCA), where he developed a reputation as an effective consensus builder, a tough negotiator, and a fierce advocate for working families.
Javier is a product of Albuquerque’s public schools and graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Law, becoming the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. Javier also serves his community on various non-profit boards and as a member of the NM State Legislature.
Yoselin Guzman Pasifuentes
Operations Support SpecialistYoselin supports day-to-day operations and logistical support with AP/OD. She is a first-generation college graduate and has a degree in Chicano Studies and Liberal Arts. She brings her knowledge to AP/OD from working with different populations in education, immigrant services, and mental health services. She hopes to continue the great work that AP/OD has been doing throughout the years.
Adrián A. Pedroza
National Executive DirectorAdrián Pedroza is the National Executive Director of Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors. AP/OD’s mission is to honor and support parents/caregivers as leaders and their children’s first teachers. With over 25 years of community-based experience, Adrián has worked in social impact areas from cradle to career, developing educational and economic opportunities for communities and families. Before joining AP/OD, Adrián spent ten years as the Executive Director of the Partnership for Community Action (PCA) in New Mexico, an organization dedicated to strengthening communities by investing in families. In 2011, President Obama appointed Adrián as a Commissioner to the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, where he focused on raising awareness and resources for early childhood education for six years. Adrián is a 2022 Ascend at Aspen Institute Fellow, a W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network Fellow alumnus, and serves on multiple non-profit boards, including Brazelton Touchpoints Center, CHI St. Joseph’s Children, National Parent Leadership Institute.
NATIONAL TRAINING TEAM FOR THE AP/OD INSTITUTES
Silvia Esqueda, M.S., LMFT
National Lead TrainerSilvia is a master trainer and has trained and certified hundreds of AP/OD Facilitators nationwide. An immigrant from Mexico, she is a bilingual/bicultural licensed marriage and family therapist with over 25 years working with underserved communities and designing, training, and implementing community-based programs. She is a national trainer, consultant, conference speaker, and writer on Latino immigrant issues related to education and mental health. In addition, Silvia works with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Promotores Comunitarios En Salud Mental Health Project, and has trained hundreds of women to become Community Health Promoters throughout California and in other states.
Luis Hernandez
National Lead TrainerLuis is an early childhood education specialist and training and technical assistance specialist, and holds a master’s in bilingual/multicultural education from the University of San Francisco. Luis has trained AP/OD Facilitators over five years, bringing expertise based on his work in Head Start, pre-K programs, college and universities, child care resource and referral administration, and professional development design. His expertise includes early literacy, dual language learning, adult learning practices, family engagement, changing demographics and diversity, and ECE management and leadership topics. As a regular presenter and keynote speaker at national, state, and local conferences, Luis is highly regarded for his motivational and energizing presentations.
Carolina Ramirez
National Training LogisticsCarolina has dedicated herself to improving the health and well-being of Southern California residents through her 17 years of work as a Community Promotora. She was one of the first Promotoras in the 14th District of Los Angeles for Planned Parenthood, a case manager for Prototype Women’s Care and the Healthy Start program in the LAUSD, and a Promotora for the East L.A. Women’s Center focusing on HIV and domestic violence prevention. She currently serves as a Community Outreach Worker/Promotora for Riverside Community Health Foundation. Carolina is also a program consultant of AP/OD. She provides support to the master trainer and coordinates national training logistics.
E. Joaquin Griego
National Logistics Coordination ContractorJoaquin resides in Albuquerque and is originally from Las Vegas, New Mexico. He has earned his bachelor’s in political science and Spanish, and a master’s in education. Joaquin’s work has included co-creating community learning approaches with youth in the historic Santa Barbara/Martineztown neighborhood in Albuquerque, and organizing youth statewide with the New Mexico Civic Engagement Partnership. He has also worked for educational advancement opportunities with migrant/seasonal farmworker populations in New Mexico. Joaquín serves on several nonprofit boards and is currently a Lieutenant with the Albuquerque Fire Rescue and provides logistical coordination support for Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors.
