November 16, 2018

Seattle ALPFA invites you to join us on our 13th Annual ALPFA Seattle gala!

The Annual ALPFA Seattle Gala is a time to celebrate the organization's accomplishments over the past year and recognize the supporters who helped make this year a success. The Gala gathers our members, corporate sponsors, and community partners to make this event one of the largest gatherings of Latino professional in the Puget Sound Area.

We look forward to having you join our ALPFAmilia for a night of celebration and networking!

 Registration will close Nov. 19th. Click here, to register.

*Students* to attend the Gala, please apply here.

 

Have you registered? Amazon Accounting and Finance are hosting a Diversity & Inclusion Panel Event on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 starting at 4:00 PM in partnership with Seattle ALPFA, NABA, and Ascend! 

Register ASAP

Learn more about Finance at Amazon, click here.

Tell us about your background/upbringings.  

I was born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado. My parents are both of Latinx heritage, both born in New Mexico. My father followed where the jobs were and landed in Pueblo and worked at the CFI steel mill for over 35 years.  My mother was a homemaker and passed away on Mother's Day of this year, she was 101. I received a BA in English/Education from Colorado State University-Pueblo. My professional career after attaining my advanced degree started at the UW.  I served as Director of the Instructional Center and Early Identification Program in the Office of Minority Affairs.  After 4 years in that position I moved to the UW School of Law as the Assistant Dean for Students and Community Outreach. I served in that position until my retirement.  I have been keeping busy by serving on the United Way of King County and the YWCA board of directors.
  
Who was your most important mentor?

My mother served as one of my most important mentors.  For all the obvious reasons.  She was such a strong, vibrant, passionate and wise person.  She had no formal training, but I learned so much from her. I could always count on her for unconditional love, strong support and wise counsel.  I miss her immensely! For having no education and Spanish her first language she became very active in her church community and volunteered in many capacities. She showed me strength after losing two sons and my dad of almost 60 years her dignity, poise and fortitude are valuable lessons. Her quest for a full life of prayer, humor and resilience sustains me everyday.

Tell us about your work for Cinco de Mayo/Latina Summit event and how that has been influential to the community.

We will be embarking on 28th Annual Cinco de Mayo in 2019. This event started with a few folks and our first event was quite small. It has grown over the years and I've been fortunate to pull together the Governor, Mayor, King County Exec and Mexican Consulate to attend and provide greetings from their respective offices.  They are always a draw to Latinx professionals and leaders in our community.  The premise is simple, bring folks together to celebrate Cinco de Mayo but more importantly to have a venue so that we can network and have things happen. About 300 folks pass through the event. I love coordinating the event and making sure that we highlight our Latinx non profit organizations who are supporters of the event. 

The Nordstrom Latina Summit was started in 2004. I have been blessed to be the coordinator of the event since it's inception.  We bring together 200 professional Latinas and college level students.  We have a half day program which includes an outstanding keynote speaker, influential panel of Latina's and selected mini workshops.  This past year our keynote speaker was Diana Lopez, author of children's books and much more.  She did the adaptation of Disney/Pixar award winning film COCO.  She provided inspiration and a "can do" attitude to the attendees. We had had over 100 Latina presenters over the years.  The panelists have been an array of Latina leaders, elected officials and emerging leaders. 

Lastly, tell us about your experience with Seattle ALPFA.

ALPFA has a special place in my heart. I served on the first Cabinet Advisory Board from 2013 to 2016.  I have loved being around such incredible individuals who are dedicated to Latinx professionals. The mission and guiding principles resonate me. I have always been impressed with the forward thinking and offerings of ALPFA.  So many great accomplishments from the Seattle Latino Student Summit to the Women of ALPFA Conference and much more. It has been a gift to meet so many board of directors and members of ALPFA.  Such a dynamic group of young professionals that provide me much hope for the future.