About Us
Meet Our Team
Learn and lead with us!
Now Recruiting Board Members!
Board Strategy and Action Plan
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)
Before founding Latino Leadership Northwest and the Clark County Latino Youth Leadership Program, Diana Avalos-Leos spent 16 years working for Vancouver Public Schools. A long-standing advocate for youth, Diana has strong, trusting relationships with many community partners and leaders in SW Washington. Diana is known for her deep commitment to working collaboratively with partners to improve outcomes for all youth.
Rose Mendoza
Youth Program Coordinator (She/her/ella)
Rose is the Program Coordinator for Latino Leadership Northwest (LLNW). Rose uses her role to connect, elevate, and support young Latino leaders through youth behavioral health programming and community education and outreach. As a first-generation university graduate, Rose earned her Bachelors of Science in Public Health from Central Washington University. Her second greatest passion? Bigfoot. The real one.
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.
Intern Team
Sam Meza
Mariposa (she/her/ella)
I am a first-generation Latina and DACA recipient sophomore student attending WSUV - currently majoring in education. I am actively volunteering for my community, interning with LLNW, and am a career peer educator for WSUV.
Jair Carlos
Mariposa (he,him,el)
I am Mexican and the first generation to attend college. I’m a sophomore at WSUV. Majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Throughout the time working for LLNW I have learned so many things that I’d never thought I’d be learning and realizing things that are important. In my eyes, giving back to my community is like giving back to my family; the people who raised me.
Pamela Melchor- Burgos
Mariposa (she/her/ella)
I am an undocumented, first-generation, Mexican student attending Fort Vancouver High School. I am involved in MEChA, Random Acts of Kindness (Rak), and LULAC SWWA Youth, advocating for her community. I am also a cross country and track athlete who enjoys reading books and playing the guitar in my free time. My future plans include attending Gonzaga University where she hopes to study Law or Journalism.
Alma Melchor-Burgos
Mariposa (she/her/ella)
I am an undocumented, first-generation student attending WSUV. I hope to graduate with a bachelor's degree in a stem-related major to be able to work in the healthcare field. I also hope to get a minor in Spanish to further help my community. I am currently an intern for LLNW and a member of the marketing team for LULAC of SW. I love to help my community and serve as an advocate.
Luis Huerta
Mariposa (he, him,el)
I am a sophomore at WSUV and I’m majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I was born in Mexico and migrated at the age of 10. I was a student-athlete in high school and I began to participate in different clubs and school activities. Eventually, with the help of my friends, I became one of the leaders for MEChA, which is a Latinx club dedicated to promoting youth leadership and Latinx culture.
Trusted Resources
Partners and Collective Action
Latino Community Resource Group
NAACP Vancouver WA
