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Compromiso de $70 millones para pequeños negocios latinos se destacará en la conferencia Clinton Global Initiative America

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$70 Million Latino Small Business Commitment To be Featured at Clinton Global Initiative America Conference

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Citizenship: A Pathway to Economic Recovery

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Careers in Asset Buiding

Executive Director at Latino Economic Development Center

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Communications and Marketing Manager

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Accounting Manager at Border Federal Credit Union

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Noel Poyo

Noel Andrés Poyo is a national leader in the community development and asset building industry. His career has focused particularly on the following issues:

  • Integrating low-income people and immigrants into the mainstream financial services and real estate sectors of our economy;
  • Improving the livability and sustainability of affordable housing communities;
  • Supporting the recovery of troubled municipal agencies; and,
  • Strengthening the non-profit community development sector, particularly in communities of color.

As the Executive Director of NALCAB - National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, Mr. Poyo represents and serves a diverse national network of more than seventy-five Latino-led community and economic development organizations. He advocates nationally on behalf of the NALCAB membership and low-income Latino communities. As a private consultant, Mr. Poyo has developed an outstanding reputation for his work in connection with neighborhood redevelopment, troubled municipal agency recovery projects and the evaluation of community development programs. Mr. Poyo has extensive experience working with diverse community leaders to operationalize their visions for community improvement through specific and measurable plans that lead to tangible, positive community change.

Mr. Poyo is a frequent public speaker on topics related to building assets in communities of color and non-profit innovation. A graduate of Yale University, Mr. Poyo is bicultural and bilingual.

Cynthia Arreola

As Federal Grants Manager, Cynthia is responsible for developing and maintaining the organization’s policies and procedures. Cynthia assists Senior Staff and Board of Directors in developing, monitoring and reporting on the strategic and operational plans. Prior to this position, she served as NALCAB’s Manager of Finance & Administration. She also provides supplementary support on technical assistance and resource development projects as needed.

Cynthia, bilingual, received her BBA in International Business Management from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Bilingual Business Certification from her studies in Mexico and Argentina. She completed a NALCAB Community Development internship in 2007.

Cynthia also serves on the Finance Committee of Housing Community Services, one of Texas' largest nonprofit affordable housing developers.

Hilda Bustos

As Communications Director with NALCAB, Hilda is responsible for the development of NALCAB's communication strategy and strategic planning process. Specifically, Hilda manages all communications activities related to the promotion, enhancement and protection of the organization's brand reputation. With more than fifteen years in nonprofit and for profit leadership, media and government relations, Hilda has served in executive positions at WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease in Washington D.C., Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas, and the San Antonio Water System. Hilda holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration and in 2010 received the Philip J. Rutledge Award for Outstanding Capstone. A native of San Antonio, Hilda is an alumna of the National Urban Fellows, a fellowship program based in New York that develops accomplished and courageous professionals of all ethnic and racial backgrounds, particularly people of color and women nationwide, to be leaders and change agents in the public and nonprofit sectors, with a strong commitment to social justice and equity.

Jeremy S. Carter

As Senior Program Manager, Jeremy oversees NALCAB’s resource development, member services and impact assessment efforts. Jeremy's resource development and member services work includes fee-for-service contracts, maintaining a membership database, the development of grant applications for NALCAB, and the provision of technical assistance to NALCAB members, with a focus on opening direct access to capital.  Jeremy’s impact assessment work includes conducting research and analysis associated with measuring the outcomes of NALCAB’s services on: (a) NALCAB as an organization; (b) the capacity of member organizations to carry out asset-building programs, and; (c) the creation of assets and wealth in Latino communities.

Jeremy came to NALCAB after having worked as Capacity Building Specialist for Nogales Community Development (NCD) in Nogales, AZ. With NCD he acted as grant writer and evaluator and worked to preserve Nogales’ historic downtown small business district. Jeremy also previously served in the U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala where he worked with low-income families to develop asset-building projects that sought to increase family wealth, safeguard the health of livestock and diversify local agricultural production.

Jeremy, bilingual in English and Spanish, received his Bachelor of the Arts from UNC-Wilmington and his Masters of the Arts from the University of Arizona's Center for Latin American Studies where his studies focused on economic development and border studies. When he is not working, Jeremy enjoys soccer, baseball, reading about historical events, and spending time with his family.

Ednita Galvan

Ednita Galvan is the program coordinator for two of NALCAB’s largest national initiatives; Chicanos Por La Causa/NALCAB’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (CPLC/NALCAB NSP2 Consortium) and the OneCPD program. For the NSP2 project, Ednita ensures administrative compliance with federal regulations associated with this 137 million dollar grant awarded to CPLC and NALCAB. She manages Section 3 compliance by tracking the economic development impact for each of the 14 consortium partners.  She supports each of the participating partners with job creation opportunities for low-income individuals and monitors and reports on the type and number of jobs created. For the OneCPD program, Ednita supports the Senior Program Director with daily administrative functions are related to this $3.4 million grant.

Formerly a loan officer for Accion Texas; the largest micro lender in the United States, Ednita earned several internal awards for outstanding job performance in lending and supporting client success in the Austin and San Antonio markets as well as for fostering successful relationships with banks and the business community.

Ednita graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in Government and Ethnic Studies.  Ednita, who is bilingual, is passionate about economic prosperity and community and economic development for the Latino community.

Fernando Garcia

Fernando Garcia, CPA, has joined the NALCAB team as Director of Finance and Administration. As NALCAB’s Chief Financial Officer, Fernando brings the highest level of organizational leadership and strategic financial planning to the organization. With 30 years experience in private and public executive financial management, Fernando plays an important role in sustaining NALCAB’s fiscal growth and stability.

Fernando, who primarily supports executive management, will oversee all financial transactions and documentation as well as cash flow planning, asset management, and monitoring of financial strategies and investments.

Fernando’s responsibility includes ensuring that NALCAB practices the highest standards of nonprofit management and will maintain legal and regulatory compliance in all financial functions. He also manages operational support systems including accounting, human resources and information technology.

Fernando is fluent in English and Spanish, and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from St. Mary’s University.

Fernando is from San Antonio and is married to Diane, and together they have raised daughter, Catherine and son, Nicholas.

Melinda Gonzalez

Melinda Gonzalez serves as a program assistant at NALCAB. In her role, Melinda provides program support for NALCAB’s emerging communities, border region, entrepreneurship, and San Antonio Initiative programs. She also assists with the development, recruitment and implementation of NALCAB’s Colegio Fellowship Program, as well as coordinating event logistics and marketing efforts for NALCAB’s regional and national events.

In 2010, Melinda completed a Community Development Internship with NALCAB. Prior to joining NALCAB, she interned with Our Lady of the Lake University’s Communications and Marketing department and worked with the Center for Service Learning and Volunteerism, which links academic theory with hands-on practical experience and encourages students to use their education to respond to human need.

A graduate of Our Lady of the Lake University, Melinda hold’s a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications Arts with a concentration in journalism and a minor in Social Welfare and Justice.

Melinda was selected for the Community Leadership Institute program, where she participates with other leaders who are passionate about serving and improving the conditions of San Antonio’s communities.

Ernie Hernandez

Ernie Hernandez is a Program Manager at NALCAB. Ernie manages the technical assistance and training for NALCAB’s $3.4 million HUD OneCPD program. Through the OneCPD program, he is responsible for conducting needs assessments, building management systems and delivering capacity building training to successfully carry out comprehensive and sustainable “place-based” development and revitalization strategies to state and local partners. Ernie also assists NALCAB members nationwide with fundraising, creating or expanding their small business development programs, as well as affordable housing development projects.

Prior to joining NALCAB, Ernie was the Project Monitor for Harris County Community Services Department in Houston, TX. In this position, Ernie ensured ongoing compliance and performed on-site monitor visits for affordable housing projects and internal county programs. He was also responsible for preparing affordable housing grant and loan agreements between the county and sub-recipients.

Ernie is bilingual and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Master of Public Administration from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX.

Dawkins Hodges

As Senior Technical Assistance Expert, Dawkins Hodges is responsible for the implementation, management, coordination, and delivery of all phases of training and technical assistance for HUD’s OneCPD program. OneCPD is a “cross-program” approach intended to help grantees improve their management systems and capacity to successfully carry out comprehensive and sustainable “place-based” development and revitalization strategies. Dawkins provides technical assistance to city and state officials that manage Community Planning and Development (CPD) programs and communicates with HUD officials and NALCAB senior management.

Dawkins has over 30 years experience in community development with a focus on design and delivery of programs for homeownership and rehabilitation of single-family properties.  His career in housing and community development has produced 1,650 first-time low-and-moderate-income homeowners, 900 rehabilitated houses and 125 YouthBuild graduates creating over $350 million in economic and community impact.  He has administered CHDO, HOME, CDBG, HOPWA and state programs in Florida, California and North Carolina as a contractor or subrecipient.  Hodges has assisted over 50 municipalities and nonprofit grantees and subrecipients with NSP and related programs.  He has also provided leadership and assistance for recovery after hurricanes and wild fires.

Dawkins has a certificate from Harvard University for the NeighborWorks-sponsored Executive Education program Achieving Excellence in Community Development, and holds the HUD certificate HOME Specialist—Regulations. 

Levar Martin

Levar Martin has been elevated to the role of Special Assistant to the Executive Director at NALCAB. Levar is responsible for supporting NALCAB’s Executive Director and will assist the Director in the areas of public policy research, general administration and resource development.

Levar joined NALCAB in 2011 as program coordinator of the U.S. HUD CPLC/NALCAB Neighborhood Stabilization Program Round 2 Consortium.  In this role, Levar has administered and implemented procedures to ensure the highest level of compliance with federal requirements for tracking the economic development impact of the housing and job sectors for 14 national consortium partners. Prior to joining NALCAB, Levar worked for the City of San Antonio’s Community Development Department.

A San Antonio native, Levar earned a B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Urban Studies from Trinity University. Levar is currently a Master’s of Science in Urban and Regional Planning candidate at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Jessica Marzec

Jessica Marzec has joined NALCAB as the Accounting and Office Assistant and brings over 10 years of experience in office administration, store and sales operations. Before joining NALCAB, Jessica managed Gigi’s Cupcakes, a franchise bakery store. She managed overall store operations as well as the hiring and training of employees and reported directly to the franchise owner.

Originally from Houston, TX, Jessica, a mother of two beautiful children, enjoys baking cakes, pies, cookies and other delicious desserts. In her spare time, Jessica works at the San Antonio City Church Downtown preparing lesson plans and coordinating volunteers for the children’s ministry department.

Lauren McCullough

Lauren has joined the team as Resource Development Intern. In this role, she will directly assist the Resource Development Manager in the completion of evaluations, research, and grant writing.

Lauren’s dedication to the nonprofit field was fostered as a Program Assistant for the Center for Leadership Education & Service at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where she received her Bachelor’s in Social Work. Ms. McCullough later worked for the Latino Outreach Program of Smart Start in North Carolina before going on to serve as a US Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay. Lauren comes to NALCAB having previously worked as a case manager with the homeless in the DC metro area.

Lauren is currently a Peace Corps Fellow attending the University of Arizona as a candidate for her Master’s degree in Public Health.

Emily Randle

Emily Randle serves as the accounting assistant for NALCAB. In her role, Emily supports the accounting and finance activities for NALCAB’s Director of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer. She is responsible for preparing NALCAB’s financial reports, accounting reconciliation and journal entry.  Emily also assists with audits, budget development and account receivables.

Prior to joining NALCAB, Emily was an accountant for the University of Texas in San Antonio (UTSA), where she was charged with managing payables, receivables and reimbursements. She volunteered in fundraising activities within the UTSA community and interfaced with local community members to increase awareness and support for community service activities and programs.

A graduate of UTSA, Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a focus in statistics. Emily is currently working toward becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Carol Rodríguez

With over 20 years of experience in the private and nonprofit sector, Carol Rodriguez brings a wide-range of expertise to her role as Program Director for NALCAB. Carol manages NALCAB’s emerging communities and border region programs to provide technical assistance to access capital and capacity building assistance to community development corporations working in rural and urban communities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, North Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.  Emerging communities are fast growing Latino communities that need culturally relevant infrastructure from which to thrive.

Carol joined NALCAB in January 2011, after having served as Executive Director of the Community Leadership Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to providing community leadership development, training and mentorship. Her expertise includes program development and planning, grants management, and contract compliance.

Carol is a trained Technology of Participation (ToP) facilitator.

Carol is a City of San Antonio Board Commissioner for the Office of Urban Redevelopment appointed by the Mayor and City Council. She also serves as a board director for Conjunto Heritage Taller, a cultural arts nonprofit in San Antonio.

Eliana Rodríguez

Eliana Rodriguez is the Communications Coordinator at NALCAB. In her role, she is responsible for coordinating a wide variety of communications activities including media relations (national and regional), membership relations, social media development, and website maintenance. Eliana also serves NALCAB as the editor of its on-line newsletter Noticias from NALCAB.  Eliana supports the management and implementation of national and regional conferences.  

In 2009, Eliana completed a community development internship at NALCAB. Before joining NALCAB, Eliana worked for KWEX-TV Univision 41 in San Antonio, TX as the Community Affairs and Promotions intern. She also held a Web and Promotions internship with News 8 Austin (now YNN), a 24/7 local news station owned by Time Warner Cable.

Born and raised in Austin, TX, Eliana moved to San Antonio, TX to attend Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU). Eliana is a Cum Laude graduate and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications Arts with concentrations in public relations and journalism. Eliana is bilingual and holds a multi-linguistic certification from OLLU.

Christopher W. Sanchez

As Program Director, Christopher serves as NALCAB's lead for the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Neighborhood Stabilization Program II.

Christopher launched his career at White Sands Federal Credit Union where he served as the Quality Assurance Manager. Later, he went on to work for Tierra Del Sol Housing Corporation (TDS) where he served as the Homeownership Center Director. Christopher served on various housing related boards and was instrumental in the success of a "self help" affordable housing project that created 36 new housing units. He also helped to develop an "In-Fill" housing project that successfully created 12 new housing units in one of the most impoverished neighborhoods within the city.

Christopher is also a certified Homebuyer Education Facilitator, conducted several financial literacy workshops and assisted in the creation of a rural IDA program. In recognition of his accomplishments at TDS, Christopher was recruited by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage to assist in the development of their Emerging Markets Program where he was instrumental in creating homeownership opportunities for underserved minority communities. Christopher utilized his mortgage lending skills to successfully match borrowers with "First Time Homebuyer" bond funds and other down payment assistance grants intended for low and moderate income families. Christopher is a graduate of the University of New Mexico and holds a BA in Political Science, with a minor in Management.

 

Storm Taliaferrow

Storm Taliaferrow joins NALCAB as Program Assistant. In this role, Storm supports the Senior Program Manager with resource development, member services and impact assessment efforts. Storm provides direct technical assistance to NALCAB member organizations and partners, focused primarily on opening access to capital. Storm also manages NALCAB’s annual membership drive.

Storm previously worked at the University of Texas at San Antonio Institute for the Economic Development’s Center for Community and Business Research conducting demographic research and economic impact analysis. Originally, from New York, NY, Storm has over seven years of experience working with financial services companies including Prudential Insurance and Lazard Frères. She has served on the Finance and Investment Committee of the New York Women’s Foundation and was an Interim Program Coordinator at The Barshop Jewish Community Center in San Antonio.

A graduate of Harvard University, Storm holds a B.A. in Government. She is also a Bexar County Master Gardener, a mother of two, and an avid soccer player.

Firdos Vohra

Firdos Vohra joins NALCAB as the Strategic Growth and Compliance Assistant. In her role, Firdos supports organizational governance, strategic planning and compliance. As a contract administrator she is responsible for crafting policies, procedures and reports for federal and private grants.

Firdos hails from Austin, Texas where she served as the Client Satisfaction Specialist for MOOD MEDIA, a commercial media services company. In this previous capacity, Firdos served as the first line of contact to resolve pressing issues related to clients contracts, reconcile accounts and facilitate the smooth delivery of final products.    

A graduate of The University of Texas in Austin, Firdos holds a Master of Business Administration. Firdos graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arizona State University where she served as a part of the area’s first AmeriCorps team.

Deyanira Zavala

As Program Coordinator with NALCAB, Deyanira Zavala facilitates a variety of projects in support of NALCAB member organizations, including evaluation research and resource development, grant writing and capacity building activities. She is responsible for facilitating technical assistance and grants management for over 28 sub-grants, implementing NALCAB’s grant making process and coordinating data integrity among sub-grant recipients.

Prior to joining NALCAB, Deyanira successfully completed internships as Mayoral Assistant with City of Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief, Survey Statistician with US Census Bureau, and Grants Management Specialist with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Deyanira holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Texas with a concentration in Economic and Community Development and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of Texas at Arlington. Deyanira is a trained ToP facilitator.

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