About Our Team

 

Mission

We create opportunities for Latino youth to build healthy relationships, advocate for their education, and become proud of the work they do.

Vision

We envision families, schools, and workplaces that build resilience though belonging so Latino youth can learn, grow, and lead.

Diana Avalos-Leos

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (SHE/HER/ELLA)

Diana Avalos Leos is a dedicated community advocate and leader focused on health and education for the Latino community in Southwest Washington. She serves as the COVID-19 Care Coordinator at the Washington State Department of Health and is a Board Member at the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. A co-founder of LULAC Southwest Washington and the Clark County Latino Youth Conference, which became Latino Leadership Northwest, she empowers Latino youth and advocates for their needs.

Her work has earned numerous accolades, including the Bravo Award and Clark County's First Citizen Award in 2020. With a career spanning various leadership roles, she is a respected figure in the movement toward greater health equity and inclusion in the Pacific Northwest.

Rose Mendoza

Assistant Director of Internal Operations (SHE/HER/ELLA)

Rose Mendoza is the Assistant Director of Operations for Latino Leadership Northwest. A baker, crafter, and Bigfoot enthusiast, Rose was born in Loma Linda, California, and raised in Vancouver, Washington. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Central Washington University and began her LLNW journey as the Health Research Coordinator during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to the recognized Compassion and Safety for All campaign.

Passionate about supporting youth and families, Rose is driven by her own childhood experiences and strives to be the mentor she needed growing up. She is dedicated to advocating for youth in need of guidance and support.

Ana Betancourt Macias

Assistant Director of Grant Programs and Outreach and Engagement (SHE/HER/ELLA)

Ana Karen Betancourt Macias (She/Her/Ella), a first-generation immigrant from La Paz, Mexico, is the Director of Programs at Latino Leadership NW, where she leads initiatives empowering the Latino community in the Pacific Northwest. With a Sociology degree and a Certificate in Women’s Studies from Washington State University-Vancouver, Ana has over a decade of experience in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and has made significant contributions as a community organizer and advocate.

Alma Melchor Burgos

Youth Program Coordinator (SHE/HER/ELLA)

Alma Melchor Burgos, a first-generation college graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a minor in Spanish from Washington State University Vancouver, is a passionate advocate for underserved communities. As the Youth Program Coordinator at Latino Leadership Northwest, she empowers Clark County youth by fostering leadership, promoting equity, and advancing environmental sustainability.

Meet The Board

Alexis Espinoza

CEO of Media Mountain Production

Diana Perez

US Forest Service, Vancouver City Council

Bill Oman

Vancouver Public Schools, Executive Director of Schools and Learning

Eduardo Ramos

Policy Advisor at Metro

Sandra Zavala

Vancouver Public Schools, School Board President

Dr. Jennifer Hernandez

Former Director of Department of Multilingual Education, and Educational Consultant

Yessenia Martinez

Attorney at Law Office of Yessenia Martinez

Melissa Meconi

Healthcare professional at Cambia Health

  • Leadership

    Building skills, sharing resources, and providing the necessary supports to help elevate Latino youth into their leadership potential.

  • Connection

    Our deep connection with our community has allowed us to gain the trust of Latino families, students, and young professionals across SW WA.

  • Collaboration

    We work together to lead conversations and create change that benefits all of us.

  • Impacts

    Opportunities, resources, and support for ALL youth means we can make waves bigger than us.

 Mariposa Interns

Sam Meza

MARIPOSA (SHE/HER/ELLA)

Sam is a collegiate Mariposa Intern for Latino Leadership Northwest (LLNW). She is a first-generation Latina student pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Working to connect with and support underrepresented communities has been Sam's passion over the years.

Jair Carlos

MARIPOSA (HE,HIM,EL)

Jaír is a first generation college student majoring in mechanical engineering and minoring in math. Jair has been an LLNW intern since 2020. As an intern Jair works alongside LLNW team to coordinate programming for the people of Clark county, and helps manage our social media pages.

Alma Melchor-Burgos

MARIPOSA (SHE/HER/ELLA)

Alma is a first-generation, Latina student pursuing a bachelor's degree in Biology with a Minor in Spanish at WSUV. She is currently one of our collegiate Mariposas supporting youth program development centering Latino families here in Clark County.

 

Luis Huerta

MARIPOSA (HE, HIM,EL)

Luis is one of the Mariposa interns for LLNW. He is a first-generation Latinx student pursuing a career in Mechanical Engineering at Washington State University in Vancouver. As someone who has always cared for his community, Luis is always looking for new ways to help Latinx youth pursue their goals.

Pamela Melchor- Burgos

MARIPOSA (SHE/HER/ELLA)

Pamela is a first-generation, Latina student attending FVHS and Clark College working towards attaining her associate degree in Biology. As a Latino Leadership Northwest intern, she is able to follow her passion for advocating, serving, and uplifting her community.

 

Community Partners