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 CoordinatorJosefina supports the day-to-day operations of the AP/OD program. She assists in the coordination of local and national training logistics and is ready to lend her knowledge and skills to provide exceptional support. She received her bachelor’s degree in Economics, with a minor in International Relations 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!
Daisy Castañeda
National Director of TrainingDaisy helps support AP/OD’s partnerships and community relationships by supporting special projects. She is responsible for the design, planning, and implementation of AP/OD trainings which include in-person and virtual programs. She is a first-generation college graduate, who holds a master’s degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in leadership.
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 handles daily operations for the AP/OD program and day-to-day management of the finance and administration functions of the organization. She began her nonprofit career providing office and financial management with the Ehler Danlos National Foundation. She holds a degree in Management, with a minor in Accounting from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.
Adrián A. Pedroza
National Executive DirectorAdrián came to AP/OD following 10 years as Executive Director at Partnership for Community Action in New Mexico. There he adopted AP/OD as a core program that proved to be the gateway for Latino parent community engagement. Adrian led the efforts to build a sustainable revenue path for the organization that includes a Social Enterprise Center and a civic-tech app that connects families to opportunities through a data-ownership platform. Adrián previously worked with migrant farmworker families at the University of New Mexico High School Equivalency and College Assistance Migrant Programs and served on the staff for former U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman. In 2010, President Barack Obama appointed Adrián to the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, leading to six years of national focus on early childhood education. Adrián is a W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network Fellow, among other recognitions.
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.
NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD
Dr. Jeanette Betancourt
Senior Vice President, Community and Family EngagementSesame Workshop
Hedy Nai-Lin Chang
Executive DirectorAttendance Works
Sandra Figueroa-Villa
Executive DirectorEl Centro Del Pueblo 14
Yvette Sanchez Fuentes
Division Director, Child, Youth and Family ServicesCommunity Action Program of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO)
Dr. Eugene Garcia
Professor EmeritusUniversity of California, Berkeley and Arizona State University
Dr. Yolanda Garcia
Dean (Retired) Child Development and Teacher EducationSonoma County College District
Dr. Ed Greene
Vice President, Children, Youth & Digital Media Literacy InitiativesHispanic Information and Telecommunications Network, Inc.
Dr. Octavio Pescador
Founding Research AssociateUCLA Paulo Freire Institute
Sylvia Puente
Executive DirectorLatino Policy Forum
Dr. Luis Reyes
Dean of the Graduate SchoolNew Mexico State University
Helen Sanchez
PresidentArevalo Sanchez, Inc.
Yasmina Vinci
Executive DirectorNational Head Start Association (NHSA)
Dr. Valora Washington
Chief Executive OfficerCouncil for Professional Recognition
Dr. Marlene Zepeda
Professor Emeritus in the Department of Child and Family StudiesCalifornia State University Los Angeles
