Executive Director

alex@sociedadlatina.org

Alexandra Oliver-Dávila, Executive Director, holds a Bachelor’s and Honorary Doctorate Degree from Emmanuel College and a Master’s in Public Policy from Tufts University. She has been serving as Executive Director since 1999, transforming Sociedad Latina into a cutting-edge, data-driven youth development organization. Under her leadership, Sociedad Latina has quadrupled its budget, expanded board membership, increased the number of youth and families served, diversified programming, and developed our Pathways to Success model. Through her work at community-based organizations, including Hyde Square Task Force, HOPE (Hispanic Office of Planning and Evaluation), and Sociedad Latina, Alex has demonstrated her commitment to improving conditions and prospects for Latino youth and families in Boston. In 2003, Alex initiated a community needs assessment to identify specific issues facing members of Boston’s Mission Hill/Roxbury and Latino communities. The assessment revealed a need for youth programming that would build skills in four key areas: Education, Workforce Development, Civic Engagement, and Arts & Culture. Alex has also led the organization through three strategic planning processes, including in 2009 that resulted in an organizational Theory of Change to formalize the link between our day-to-day activities and organizational goals and in 2010 and 2015 that resulted in the creation of our five-year Strategic Plan.

Through her grassroots community-based approach, Alex has forged cross-sector collaborations with dozens of partners, including colleges, hospitals, businesses, foundations, and schools. Alex serves as Co-chair of the Boston Youth Services Network (BYSN), sits on the Board of the National Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color (COSEBOC), is a member of the Board of Trustees for both Emmanuel College and Anna B. Stearns Foundation, and is a Barr Foundation Fellow. In 2016, she was selected as a member of the Boston Public School Committee and as the UnidosUS Affiliate Council Representative for the Northeast region. In 2017, Alex co-authored the Greater Boston Latino Network’s (GBLN) report “The Silent Crisis II” and was named one of Powermeter’s “100 Massachusetts’ Most Influential People for Latinos”. Most recently, she was named one of “50 Latinos Making an Impact” in Boston by Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Associate Director

lydia@sociedadlatina.org

Lydia Emmons earned her undergraduate degree in Urban and Community Studies and Public Policy from the University of Connecticut, and she holds certificates in Youth Trauma Response and Non-Profit Leadership. Lydia was a participant of the 2016 Massachusetts Education Policy Fellowship Program through the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy. She joined Sociedad Latina in 2009 as a Highland Street AmeriCorps Ambassador of Mentoring and was then hired as a Workforce Development Coordinator. As Associate Director, Lydia oversees all of our Pathway to Success programming, evaluates program components, and liaises with Boston Public Schools and higher education partners.

Program Director

juan@sociedadlatina.org

Juan Maldonado earned his undergraduate degree in Professional Music, with a concentration in Music Education, from Berklee College of Music. Prior to joining Sociedad Latina, Juan founded and directed a music school near Boston. Juan is a skilled musician, appearing in events such as the Monterey Jazz Festival, Bean Town Jazz Festival, Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, Sarasota Jazz Festival, and Heineken Jazz Festival. In 2014, Juan was awarded the Berklee Urban Service Award for his outstanding work with youth in Boston and was recently selected as a chair for Boston Creates--a community-wide effort to harness creativity and build a shared vision for arts and culture in Boston. As Program Director, Juan oversees all of Sociedad Latina’s programming, manages program staff, and develops curricula. He is bilingual in English and Spanish.

College & Career Pathways Manager

yaguilar@sociedadlatina.org

Yesenia Aguilar earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Romance Languages and Literature, with a minor in Psychology, from Harvard College and a Master’s Degree in Hispanic Language and Literature from Boston University. She is a first-generation college graduate and an alumna of Prep for Prep. Prior to joining Sociedad Latina, Yesenia worked as a Research Assistant at the Observatorio Cervantes at Harvard University. As the College & Career Pathways Manager, she oversees our organization’s education programs such as Academy of Latinos Achieving Success (ALAS) and Escalera, as well as Youth Retention and Engagement initiatives. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Student Success Team Lead
daniel@sociedadlatina.org

Dan Davis earned his undergraduate degree in Spanish Language & Literature and a Master's Degree in Education from Clark University. Prior to joining Sociedad Latina, Dan taught high school Spanish in Grafton and Worcester. At Sociedad Latina, he leads our academic success programming including our mentoring and college access programs, as well as develops curriculum around best practices for working with English Learners. He is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Executive Assistant
victoria@sociedadlatina.org

Victoria Garcia earned her Associate’s Degree in Integrated Studies, with a concentration in Science, from Endicott College. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Endicott. Victoria joined Sociedad Latina in high school as a Youth Leader from our Health Careers for Youth program. After completing high school, she joined Sociedad Latina as a temporary receptionist before being hired as a full-time employee. At Sociedad Latina, Victoria manages the day-to-day operations of the organization and the Executive Director, as well as supervises the Office Assistant. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Office Assistant
acosta@sociedadlatina.org

Andrea Gilbert is currently pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Business at Bunker Hill Community College and plans to continue her studies in Finance at the University of Massachusetts, Boston in the near future. Before joining Sociedad Latina, she volunteered for various nonprofit organizations in Peru and was a translator for the Boston Housing Authority. At Sociedad Latina, Andrea supports our Office Manager and Finance Department and ensures the successful day-to-day operations of the organization. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Senior Development Associate
mariag@sociedadlatina.org

Maria Grande received her undergraduate degree in English Language/Literature and Creative Writing from Providence College. She joined Sociedad Latina in 2015 as an AmeriCorps VISTA ServiceWorks Program and Development Leader. After her service year, Maria became a full-time staff member at Sociedad Latina as a Development Associate, writing grants and reports for our Arts & Culture and Civic Engagement programs and overseeing the organization’s marketing and communications.

Bookkeeper/Operations Manager

skaur@sociedadlatina.org

Sarabjit Kaur earned her undergraduate degree in Management, with a double concentration in Accounting and Management Information Systems, from University of Massachusetts, Boston. She is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Business Analytics at Northeastern University. Prior to joining Sociedad Latina, Sarabjit was employed at UMass Boston in various positions, including serving as an Administrative Assistant at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and tutoring undergraduate students in the College of Management. As Bookkeeper/Operations Manager, Sarabjit manages the daily operations of the finance department of the organization.

Health Education Coordinator
elewis@sociedadlatina.org

Emily Lewis earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Emmanuel College. Prior to becoming the Health Education Coordinator, Emily worked with our middle school STEAM Team as the Program Assistant and then as the AmeriCorps VISTA Recruitment and Outreach Specialist. At Sociedad Latina, she leads the Health Educators as they facilitate sexual health protection and prevention workshops and activities in the community and work to fight health disparities affecting Boston's Latino community.

ALAS College Access & Success Coach

llondono@sociedadlatina.org

Laura Londoño received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies, with double minors in Nonprofit Management and Anthropology, from Emerson College. She is a first-generation college graduate and an immigrant from Colombia. Prior to joining Sociedad Latina, Laura volunteered as an assistant ESL teacher, mentored other first-generation students on campus, and advocated for undocumented individuals and farm workers alongside the U.S-Mexican border. As an ALAS College Access and Success Coach, she provides college and career support to Boston Public School graduates in their transition to college and/or other alternative programs. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Finance/Human Resources Manager
yamileth@sociedadlatina.org

Yamileth Lopez earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Accounting, from Bunker Hill Community College. She is currently working towards her undergraduate degree in Business Management, with a concentration in Accounting, from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. At Sociedad Latina, Yamileth coordinates all billing, accounting, and human resources for the organization. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.

STEAM Team Coordinator

hmendez@sociedadlatina.org

Heidi is a first-generation college graduate from Hamilton College, receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Government and Hispanic Studies. Prior to joing Sociedad Latina, she gained experience working with low-income young people of color at Breakthrough Collaborative in Cambridge, MA and A Better Chance Program in Clinton, NY. At Sociedad Latina, Heidi coordinatates our STEAM Team middle school program at the Mario Umana Academy in East Boston, facilitating STEAM career exploration activities for Latino and English Learner youth.

Civic Engagement Coordinator

omendez@sociedadlatina.org

Ornan Mendez joined Sociedad Latina in 2013 as a Youth Community Organizer. Since then, he has held many different roles at our organization, including a Health Careers for Youth participant and interning with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Healthy Community Champion, and Health Education Program Assistant. As the Civic Engagement Program Assistant, Ornan oversees our Youth Community Organizing Program, working with our Youth Leaders to create and facilitate campaign and outreach efforts in the community. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Business from University of Massachusetts, Boston. Ornan is bilingual in English and Spanish.

STEM Pathways Manager

gosorio@sociedadlatina.org

Geryel Osorio is a bilingual educator, writer, and agent of change. Being an immigrant and a first-generation college student, she is passionate about human rights, equitable resources, STEM education, and is a co-creator of spaces for those that identify as women of color. Geryel's latin roots and passion for STEM education led her to earn her Bachelor's Degree from Florida International University in Miami. Prior to joining Sociedad Latina, Geryel served two years through the AmeriCorps City Year program at a middle school in East Boston. While in City Year, she provided academic and social-emotional support to students. As the STEM Pathways Manager, she oversees our middle school STEAM Team program and emprende! Youth Entrepreneurship Program. Geryel also collaborates with Boston Public Schools to evaluate program components and create more opportunities for Sociedad Latina's youth through hands-on STEM practices.

Arts & Culture Program Assistant
rnavarro@sociedadlatina.org

Raquel Navarro joined Sociedad Latina in 2012 as a Youth Artist and made her way up to a permanent staff position. She is a vocal performer and learned to play the bass and piano at Sociedad Latina. As a Youth Artist, she composed three original songs and performed at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), House of Blues Boston, the Museum of Fine Arts, and other events across Boston. She is currently attending Roxbury Community College, where she is pursuing music. At Sociedad Latina, Raquel is the Program Assistant for our Youth Artists Mastery Program, instructing high school music classes and assisting our Manager of Arts, Culture, & Civic Engagement with workshops, ensembles, and afterschool programming. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Highland Street AmeriCorps Ambassador of Mentoring/Student Success Associate

krios@sociedadlatina.org

Kimberly Rios received her undergraduate degree in Counseling Psychology, with a minor in Community Based Human Services, from Wheelock College. She joined Sociedad Latina in 2017 as the College and Career Pathways Assistant, working closely with the Escalera Program and providing high school students with support and knowledge on higher education and career opportunities. As the Highland Street Americorps Ambassador of Mentoring and Student Success Associate, Kim oversees our Mentores en Acción program, working to create meaningful, impacting mentoring relationships and opportunities for our young people. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Development Associate

rsher@sociedadlatina.org

Rebecca Sher has recently finished her Masters in Public Administration from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California. She moved to South America to study women's human rights, culminating in a thesis explaining femicide in Latin America. Prior to joining Sociedad Latina, Rebecca worked for various non-profit organizations with missions to combat violence against women, human trafficking, and other human rights violations.

A California native, Rebecca has also lived in Italy, Argentina, and Chile and speaks English, Italian, and Spanish fluently.

ALAS College Access & Success Coach
asierra@sociedadlatina.org

Abraham Sierra, Jr. is currently pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Human Services from Bunker Hill Community College and plans to transfer to a four-year college to receive his undergraduate degree in Expressive Arts Therapy. Prior to joining Sociedad Latina, Abraham was an AmeriCorps Vista ServiceWorks Member. At Sociedad Latina, Abraham provides transition coaching to youth through their first two years of college. He is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Arts, Culture & Music Coordinator
joshs@sociedadlatina.org

Josh Snyder received his undergraduate degree in Jazz Composition from Berklee College of Music. Prior to joining Sociedad Latina, he worked as a private guitar instructor and taught at the Yawkey Boys & Girls Club. He is currently completing a fellowship through the Music Educators and Teaching Artists program with the Massachusetts Cultural Council. At Sociedad Latina, Josh oversees the Youth Artists Mastery Program, teaches school-day music classes to high school students in Boston Public Schools, and supports the Health Education and Civic Engagement Coordinators with staying on target with deliverables, designing high-quality lesson plans, and providing professional development opportunities.  

Development Manager
tyancey@sociedadlatina.org

Tiffany grew up in the outskirts of Miami with a Bolivian mother and an American father. Her passion for helping youth stems from her graduate studies at the University of San Francisco while conducting her Master’s thesis research. She traveled through various villages of Bangladesh to analyze the causes of schoolgirl dropouts in the rural secondary school system by interviewing young girls, teachers, parents, and community leaders. She has experience working with women and youth who have suffered trauma as well as young teenage mothers who have been forced to marry. She believes that education can be a catalyst for social change, and she knows that the work and mission of Sociedad Latina is exactly that. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.