The Latinas Lead California Board of Directors puts their Heels on the Ground to elect Latina leaders. We volunteer our time and talents to help raise money and provide campaign support for our endorsed candidates.

 

 

Cinthia Flores - President  

Cinthia Flores is a Board Member of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board. Governor Newsom appointed her to this position in 2020. Cinthia formerly served as a Staff Attorney with the Coalition for Humane Immigration (CHIRLA) where she practiced immigration law with a focus on removal defense. Cinthia has a background in labor law having represented private and public sector unions.

Cinthia is a Past President of the Latina Lawyers Bar Association, an organization dedicated to supporting Latinas in the legal profession. In 2022, the Hispanic National Bar Association recognized Cinthia as a “Top Lawyer Under 40.” In 2021, Cinthia served on U.S. Senator Padilla’s policy transition team. Cinthia currently serves as Vice President of the UCLA Alumni Association Board of Directors, an organization representing over half a million alumni worldwide.

Cinthia earned her Juris Doctorate at the University of California, Irvine School of Law. During law school, Cinthia served as a Student Regent on the University of California Board of Regents. Cinthia earned her B.A. in Political Science at UCLA, where she served as the first Latina undergraduate student body president. Cinthia is the daughter of Salvadoran immigrants. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. 

Julissa Gomez -  Immediate Past President  

Julissa Gomez is a Vice President at Street Level Strategy, where she specializes in coalition building, internal communications programs, grassroots engagement, and campaign management. She has over 20 years of public affairs, communications, and grassroots organizing experience working with non-profits and government agencies such as the Los Angeles Unified School District, California Association of REALTORS(R), MomsRising, Center for Justice and Accountability, Amnesty International USA, American Lung Association, Energy Upgrade California, High-Speed Railway, San Francisco General Elections, and Clean Power San Francisco. She has directed several successful statewide ballot initiatives and outreach programs across the state and country. 

Before joining the firm, she served as Director of Member Mobilization at the California Association of REALTORS®. In that role, she led the advocacy and member mobilization efforts across the state and administered a statewide affordable housing trust fund.

Julissa received a Bachelors’s in Chicano/a Studies with a minor in History from the California State University Northridge. 

Maria M. Ventura - Vice President

Maria Ventura is the Los Angeles Regional Public Affairs Manager at SoCalGas.  She oversees local government relations and community engagement activities in the region and manages the Los Angeles Regional Public Affairs team.  Over the past 11 years, she held several roles at the utility with increased responsibility and most recently represented SoCalGas in Ventura County.       

She has over 20 years’ experience in the private and public sectors with proven leadership in communications, political campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and government affairs.  She staffed several elected officials including former Los Angeles Council President Alex Padilla and served as a bilingual corporate spokesperson for a Fortune 50 company in the Pacific Northwest.        

Maria was named a “Latina of Influence” by Hispanic Lifestyle, a nationally syndicated PBS program, Girls Scouts of Central California’s Central Coast “2020 Woman of Distinction”, Ventura County Leadership Academy’s “2022 Business Leader of the Year” and the Pacific Coast Business Times’ “Top Woman in Business” and “Latino Leadership Award” for her outstanding professional accomplishments and unwavering commitment to the community.    

She earned her bachelor’s degree from San Diego State, a master of science in public administration from California State University, Los Angeles.  She enjoys traveling, and golfing with friends and family.

Diana Rodriguez - Treasurer 

Diana Rodriguez has over 19 years of experience as a consultant advocating for water, land use, and local Government issues. Diana is Vice President at ACTUM, a global consultancy firm designed to solve diverse public and private sector challenges with offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, NY, Washington D.C., and London. Diana has used her experience in providing analysis on legislation that impacts municipalities, as well as advancing issues and identifying and bringing in vital resources to local municipalities and school districts. 

In addition to the work she does for clients, Diana serves on several boards. She serves as Treasure and is the President Emeritus of Latinas Lead Ca, the only statewide Political Action Committee Advancing qualified Latinas for elected office at all levels.  Diana also serves on the LA Latino Chamber of Commerce board as the legislative chair. Diana’s service includes the Long Beach Chamber Government Affairs Committee, Long Beach Women’s Business Council, and Long Beach Boys & Girls Club. She has been recognized by key stakeholders for the following: Regional Hispanic Chamber as ”Lobbyist of the Year 2016” and by the Los Angeles County Women’s Commission As ”Woman of the Year 2018”. 

Araceli Sandoval-Gonzalez - Secretary

Araceli Sandoval Gonzalez is CEO of ASG Strategy Consulting Inc., a boutique firm specializing in government relations, fund development and strategic planning. With over 20 years of experience, she has led equity-driven initiatives that secured millions in budget earmarks for public education, early childhood, and social impact programs. Her legislative efforts established transitional kindergarten in California, reflecting her deep commitment to educational equity.

Before founding ASG Strategy Consulting, Araceli served in executive roles at Early Edge California, the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education, and the California Association for Bilingual Education. She presently serves on the Stein Early Childhood Fund Advisory Council and Latinas Lead California. She recently completed her 7-year tenure serving on the LAUSD Bond Oversight Committee and East Los Angeles Community Corporation Board, concluding her tenure as President in 2024, after serving for 18-years.

Araceli received dual bachelor’s degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and earned a Master’s in Public Administration with distinction from California State University, Northridge. Her career exemplifies unwavering dedication to advancing equitable policies and transformative initiatives across sectors.

Susan Sifuentes-Trigueros - Advisory Council Director

Susan Sifuentes-Trigueros is the Los Angeles Regional Public Affairs Manager for Southern California Gas Company, where she is responsible for the public affairs and local community giving strategies in the greater Los Angeles County area and manages a professional staff of seven. She is a highly skilled public relations professional with over twenty years of experience in corporate, governmental, community, and media relations. Susan also serves in a number of civic leadership roles, including chairing Future Ports, serving on the Central City Executive Committee, and serving as a Board Member of the USC Board of Governors, the USC-Latino Alumni Association, BizFed, and the Dominguez Dream Foundation. Passionate about social justice and Latina leadership, Susan most enjoys mentoring youth and young professionals and helping them achieve their full potential.

Susan attended the University of Southern California, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. She resides in Walnut, CA, with her husband, Mario. They have seven children and five grandchildren.

Anais Duran - Communications Director

Duran is a Government Affairs Strategist for First 5 LA, a leading independent public grantmaking and early childhood advocacy organization. Anais helps First 5 LA build relationships with state and federal legislators and educates them on the importance of early childhood development.

Prior to moving back to California, she worked at the Raben Group, a Washington D.C.-based lobbying and public affairs firm. As a Senior Associate, Anais worked on a wide range of issues, and over the years, she developed expertise in developing and managing advocacy projects on Capitol Hill. Her portfolio at Raben also included third-party engagement, coalition building, and lobbying. Some of Anais’ clients included the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the PACE Center for Girls, Compassion & Choices, and the LA Area Chamber of Commerce.

For many years, in her own capacity, Anais has helped mobilize advocates around reproductive health issues. She is an alumnus of the Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington Developing Leaders Program. 

Anais is also a recent alumni of Southern California Leadership Network’s (SCLN) Leadership L.A. fellowship. SCLN equipped her with gaining the knowledge, skills, and connections necessary to make a real impact on long-term and trending issues central to California’s future.

A native of Los Angeles County, Anais received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, triple majoring in feminist studies, sociology, and Spanish. She is a proud sister of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority Incorporated.

Paola Fernández  - Membership Director                                       

Paola Fernández is a senior public sector consultant. She has worked with various federal agencies, city governments, and non-profits to develop performance management solutions and organizational strategies to enhance their operations to fulfill their mission. She began her career as a public servant within the Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and served as a policy fellow for Los Angeles Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez and Inclusive Action for the City.

Paola is the proud daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants and proud to be born and raised in Los Angeles. She earned her BA in International Relations and Social Entrepreneurship and Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Southern California. She is the immediate past Chair for Latinas Lead California Young Professionals Network and currently serves on USC Women's Conference Committee. She is an alumna of American University’s Women & Politics Institutes WeLead Program.

She is committed to creating inclusive spaces in the private and public sector.

Griselda Ortiz - Political Director 

Griselda Ortiz has over a decade of experience working for the federal and state government. She currently serves as the District Director for U.S. Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez. Prior to this, she served as the District Director for now Congresswoman Luz Rivas during the Member's tenure in the CA State Legislature. Griselda serves as a delegate to the CA Democratic Party for Assembly District 56 and oversees Congresswoman Sanchez's re-election campaigns. 

Griselda earned a Master in Public Policy degree from the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy a B.A. in Political Science and International Development Studies from UCLA. She was born and raised in the Inland Empire, but currently resides in Whittier, CA.

Bea Stotzer - Board Member 

Bea Stotzer is an accomplished businesswoman and social entrepreneur in the fields of economic development and asset building. As CEO of New Capital LLC, she manages multi-million dollar affordable housing, business, and economic development portfolios. She was instrumental in establishing New Economics for Women, a Latina economic development nonprofit, by leveraging a $97,000 seed grant into more than $280 million in investments. Bea has been a trusted advisor to the Clinton Administration, the Mayor of Los Angeles, the Aspen Institute, the Ford Foundation, and a host of local government, private, and independent sector organizations. As former Treasurer of the UNIDOS US (formerly the National Council of La Raza (NCLR)) Board of Directors, she partnered with the CEO and CFO to deliver their strongest balance sheet in 15 years. Bea is a strategic advisor or executive board member for key national non-profits, foundations, and corporations focusing on economic mobility.

A lifelong advocate for economic opportunities, especially for vulnerable women and families, Bea is resolute about increasing the role of women as leaders within the finance sector and was recently appointed to the Governing Council of the Los Angeles County Initiative on Women and Girls. 

LaShe Rodriguez - Board Member 

LaShe Rodriguez earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Riverside, in Theatre and Film Studies and a Master's in Communications Management from the University of Southern California. Professionally, LaShe has worked for the California Legislature, serving several Senate and Assembly members. Additionally, LaShe' has managed several successful campaigns throughout Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange Counties.

LaShe is the Chief of Staff to Orange County Board of Supervisor Doug Chaffee of the 4th District. LaShe continues to serve as a Sister City Commissioner for the City of Anaheim, a member of the NAACP-O.C., National Council of Negro Women-O.C., the Democratic Party-O.C., and on the South Coast Air Quality Management District-Environmental Justice. 

Deborah Villar - Board Member 

Sarah Yoell - Board Member  

Esthela Pacheco- Board Member

Esthela Pacheco serves as Vice President of State Government Relations for U.S. Bank. In this role, She manages relationships with key state and local leaders across seven states and proactively identifies legislative risks and opportunities. Esthela also develops strategies for the U.S. Bankcorps PAC and regional engagement. 

Prior to this, Esthela was Senior Public Policy Manager at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, where she led advocacy efforts in the State Capitol on behalf of more than 1,400 Los Angeles based businesses. She also served in various leadership roles in the California State Legislature, including Legislative Director and Interim Chief of Staff. Her work included spearheading legislative initiatives, building coalitions, and overseeing multi-million-dollar budgets.

Esthela was born and raised in Pacoima, CA where she attended Los Angeles Mission College before relocating to Sacramento to pursue a B.A. in Government from California State University, Sacramento. Esthela is deeply committed to shaping public policy that positively impacts communities and businesses.

Jacqueline Romero - Board Member

Jacqueline Romero serves as the Director of Local Government Affairs for the CaliforniaRestaurant Association, where she leads legislative affairs in multiple counties across Southern California. Previously, she held multiple roles at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, where she spearheaded legislative affairs, managed policy portfolios, and led advocacy efforts at the local level. She has built a distinguished career advocating for business and community interests across local and regional governments.

Jacqueline was born and raised in Long Beach, CA and graduated with her Master of Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Davis.

Jocelyn Duarte - Board Member

Jocelyn Duarte is an educator and community advocate dedicated to empowering marginalized communities, particularly immigrants and women. She began her teaching career in 2015 at East Los Angeles Community College in the Chicana/o Studies Department, where she helped establish the Central American Studies Program and California’s first-ever Central American Studies Associate of Arts transfer degree.

She earned dual B.A. degrees in Central American Studies and Gender and Women’s Studies from California State University, Northridge, and later pursued an M.A. in Latin American Studies at California State University, Los Angeles. Her research focuses on transnational motherhood and the impact of technology on immigrant families.

Beyond academia, Jocelyn serves as the Executive Director of the Salvadoran American Leadership and Education Fund (SALEF), advocating for immigrant rights and providing educational and legal services. She also works to expand access to education through Dual Enrollment programs in the Pico-Union area.

Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at California State University, Los Angeles, Jocelyn remains committed to social justice and community empowerment. She resides in Rampart Village, Los Angeles, with her children, Charlie and Roselyn, continuing to inspire change through education and activism.

 

Felipa Peñaloza - Young Professionals Network (YPN) Leadership Council Chair

Born and raised in Orange County, Felipa Peñaloza is Vice President, Public Affairs at GrassrootsLab, a California-based political consulting firm, where she works with a wide array of clients, aiding with political campaigns and other legislative efforts. She specializes in data analysis and looking at Latino political representation across the nation. Since she joined the firm in 2015, Felipa has worked on ballot measures, council and mayoral races, supervisorial races, legislative races, and a governor’s race, for candidates across the political spectrum. That same year, Felipa released “The Politics of Prosperity,” a landmark report in conjunction with the California Legislative Latino Caucus and the Leadership Institute California, which took a look at Latino political representation at all levels.

Previously she worked for the American Diabetes Association in Orange County where she managed the bilingual Passport to Health/Pasaporte a La Salud health program, partnering with community organizations and health experts to host educational workshops across the County targeted to the high-risk Latino population. Felipa graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism with a specialization in Public Relations and a minor in Sociology.