Our team members are our special sauce. We all have deep roots in the communities we serve and care deeply about the work we do.
Our Team
Miriam YupanquiExecutive Director
Executive Director
Miriam Yupanqui is building a movement to transform East Palo Alto into a place where every resident thrives. A thriving community is one where everyone has a place to call home, a living wage, and the same opportunities for success we see across Highway 101. In her words, “President Obama once said that no one who works 40 hours a week should live in poverty. In East Palo Alto, people are working 60 hours plus per week and living in poverty. We are building leaders in our community to change that.”
Originally from East Palo Alto, Miriam is thrilled to be back in her old stomping grounds. Miriam attended College Track and graduated from Carlmont High School. She received her B.A. from UC Berkeley and her M.P.A. from the University of Southern California. Miriam served as a Board Member of Nuestra Casa prior to being hired as the Executive Director. Miriam also has vast experience working in our communities and program evaluation. Before Nuestra Casa, she was a Program Manager at Family Connections in Redwood City. There she developed and implemented their Young Scholars Program. Connect with Miriam on LinkedIn.
- Email:
- myupanqui@nuestracasa.org
Contact Info
Jennifer AdamsEnvironmental Justice Program Manager
Environmental Justice Program Manager
Having worked to connect Latinx communities to outdoor recreation, conservation, and programming for many years, Jennifer Adams knows firsthand the power of unleashing the Latinx community’s environmental stewardship. At Nuestra Casa, Jennifer continues to amplify our community’s voices for local long-term sustainability, native land restoration, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. She organizes and empowers the community residents of East Palo Alto, East Menlo Park, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City to take ownership of their advocacy abilities and ensure the inclusion of low-income and immigrant communities in critical discussions and policies. She works closely with community partners to build strong, lasting, and mutual support to develop healthy and sustainable communities.
A graduate from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Ecology Evolutionary Biology, Jennifer is a Bay Area Native. She loves spending time outdoors with friends and family. When she’s not working, you might find Jennifer hiking with her three dogs at the beach. Her previous work experience includes being Bay Area Regional Coordinator for Latino Outdoors, where she continues to be an ambassador, providing mentorship and support when needed. Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn.
- Email:
- jadams@nuestracasa.org
Contact Info
Imelda Rodriguez BenavidesProgram Coordinator
Program Coordinator
Imelda Rodriguez Benavides is an inspiring and knowledgeable advocate for food justice and sustainable food systems. Hailing from Watsonville, CA, and raised in the vibrant community of East Palo Alto, Imelda’s passion for creating positive change in the food landscape began early in her life. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Food Studies from Syracuse University in New York, where she co-founded the first nationally recognized Food Policy club, launched a CSA drop-off program, and helped establish the university’s first slow food cafe.
Returning to the Bay Area after graduation, Imelda continued her mission to empower communities through food justice initiatives, serving San Jose, Oakland, and, most recently, as a Dean of Students and Families in San Francisco. Currently, she is the program coordinator at Nuestra Casa and serves as the California Alumni Policy Chapter Lead at FoodCorps, influencing legislative priorities in the state.
Imelda contributes her knowledge and experience to Nuestra Casa as the program coordinator. In this role, she fully supports our Food Recovery program and assists the Promotoras program. When she’s not hard at work or working on her Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems at Arizona State University (virtual studies), Imelda channels her creative spirit into sculpting and painting. Connect with Imelda on LinkedIn.
- Email:
- irodriguez@nuestracasa.org
Contact Info
Maricela GarciaOperations Manager
Operations Manager
Originally from Michoacan, Mexico, Maricela Garcia moved to East Palo Alto at the age of three, where she spent her years surrounded by her parents, three sisters, and two brothers. Maricela attended Ravenswood District Schools and proudly graduated from Eastside College Prep.
Maricela’s passion for making a positive impact and desire to give back to the community led her to the non-profit sector in 2014. Her journey started as a dedicated advocate for families at the Child Care Coordinator Council (4Cs of San Mateo County), where she had the privilege of providing essential support to those in need. Recognizing the importance of education, Maricela went on to work at Eastside College Prep, where she worked tirelessly to uplift minority students, fostering an environment of support. As a testament to her commitment and versatility, Maricela later joined Nuestra Casa as an executive assistant part-time, further strengthening her ties to the community she holds dear. Today, we are thrilled to have Maricela as a valuable asset on our team, serving as our dedicated Operations Manager. Her rich background and experience uniquely position her to contribute to our organization’s mission and drive positive change in our community.
Maricela graduated from Cal State East Bay in 2013 with a major in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. In free time she enjoys spending time with her loved ones and exploring new parks with her dog Sol. Connect with Maricela on LinkedIn.
- Email:
- mgarcia@nuestracasa.org
Contact Info
Kassandra Vivanco GuerreroProgram Coordinator
Program Coordinator
Born and raised in the vibrant heart of East San José, Kassandra Vivanco Guerrero has always been passionate about helping people and committed to making a difference. In June 2023, Kassandra graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Feminist Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). Her academic journey has equipped her with a profound understanding of the complexities surrounding gender equality and social justice, setting the stage for her future as an aspiring lawyer.
Kassandra’s commitment to creating a more equitable world extends beyond the classroom in her role as the program coordinator at Nuestra Casa. In this role, she supports community members in navigating the safety net services they need to help stabilize their families.
When she’s not hard at work, Kassandra likes to hang out with her family, spend time with her cat and dog, and channel her creative energy into her side hustle as a lash artist, specializing in making people feel beautiful and confident. Connect with Kassandra on LinkedIn.
- Email:
- kguerrero@nuestracasa.org
Contact Info
Kelly HuntDevelopment & Communications
Development & Communications
Kelly Hunt grew up in New Jersey and moved to Redwood City in 2015. She learned first hand about the immigrant experience from her beloved Armenian great-grandmother, “Big Grandma.” Kelly’s commitment to the immigrant community and economic equity today is largely shaped by her grandmother’s early years in the United States. She joined the Board in 2016 and moved into a contract role in 2020.
Kelly’s work experience includes six years at Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as a Research Officer and nine years at New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth) as a Senior Program Director and Chief Program Learning Officer. During her career, Kelly co-founded the first statewide health foundation in New York, starting from the ground up. If you ask her, she’s most proud of the oral health work she co-led in New York that led to the passage of protective legislation for community water fluoridation, a population health intervention highlighted by the CDC as one of the top 10 public health improvements of the 20th century.
Outside of work and Nuestra Casa, Kelly is raising her daughters to be fierce young women. You might find them camping, hiking, skiing, visiting first/second/third cousins, or generally chilling out somewhere super pretty. In her spare time, she volunteers at her daughters’ schools. She holds a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts from Villanova University. Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn.
- Email:
- khunt@nuestracasa.org
Contact Info
Belinda MagallonEnvironmental Justice Fellow
Environmental Justice Fellow
Belinda Magallon, our Environmental Justice Fellow, is a Bay Area local with a deep appreciation for our region’s natural beauty. Growing up in San Leandro, she couldn’t ignore the increasing impact of climate change on our communities, prompting her to take action.
Belinda’s ability to seamlessly blend her policy expertise with genuine community engagement sets her apart as a transformative advocate for positive change. As a Graduate Student Consultant at Alameda County Housing and Community Development Department, Belinda honed her skills in community development and policy analysis. Her Master’s capstone focused on developing policy recommendations for Alameda County’s consideration.
With prior experience as a Constituent Services representative and congressional internships, she gained a unique perspective on legislative processes. Her hands-on roles as a Recreation Specialist and Recycling and Solid Waste Intern showcased her commitment to sustainability at the community level.
Belinda’s passion for equity and effective policies led her to pursue a Master of Public Policy at UC Berkeley. Her drive to address inequities motivates her transformative advocacy for positive change. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government at California State University – East Bay. In her free time, Belinda enjoys soccer, tennis, hiking, and solo adventures. Connect with Belinda on LinkedIn.
The Environmental Justice Fellow position is supported by the Victor and Lorraine Honig Initiative for Bay Area Social and Economic Justice at Tides Foundation. Grants are intended to provide funding for a new and needed position in a nonprofit organization-in 2023 the Initiative focused on water justice. Learn more at https://www.tides.org/honig-initiative/
- Email:
- bmagallon@nuestracasa.org
Contact Info
Vicky Avila MedranoProgram Director
Program Director
Vicky Avila Medrano is a lifelong community Promotora/Mentor who has dedicated her career to connecting families to programs and safety net services that help them achieve stability. She believes that community well-being is intrinsically linked to the strength of each individual and family living in our community. Civic engagement and participation, economic equality, and social and environmental justice are the keys to healthy communities. “I love working at Nuestra Casa because… al informarnos y prepararnos crecemos para crear un circulo comunitario de solidaridad y sustentabilidad.”*
Vicky serves as Chairperson of the Bay Area Planning Committee for Binational Health Week, in collaboration with the Mexican Consulate and the Health Initiative of the Americas of the Department of Public Health, at the University of Berkeley. She was elected as Board Counselor at the Mexican Institute in EUA (IME)/San Francisco Mexican Consulate in the Bay Area. She is also an active member of the North Fair Oaks community leaders team, a fellowship awarded through the San Francisco Foundation Koshland Program. In this capacity, Vicky collaborates in planning and coordinating community events that promote a healthy lifestyle in the Latino migrant community. Before Nuestra Casa, she was a Food Connection Manager at Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. She implemented and managed a recruitment plan for Community Outreach Promotores in Latino communities and diverse monolingual populations, among many other responsibilities.
* By informing and preparing ourselves, we all grow and create a community circle of solidarity and sustainability.
- Email:
- vavila@nuestracasa.org
Contact Info
Claudia NavaHousing Program Coordinator
Housing Program Coordinator
Claudia Nava is Nuestra Casa’s Housing Program Coordinator. Until housing resources are accessible to all, she tirelessly advocates for affordable housing in the communities we serve. She works on implementing financial literacy workshops to prepare community members for homeownership. Claudia also works with our Program Assistor Connectors to ensure community members needing rental assistance get help applying for available resources.
Claudia has a BA in Political Science with minors in Sociology and Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning from the University of California Davis. She has a strong background in advocacy campaigns, including efforts to make higher education more affordable for students. In her spare time, you can find Claudia at your local coffee shop or thrifting with friends. Connect with Claudia on LinkedIn.
- Email:
- cnava@nuestracasa.org
Contact Info
Rosa NelsonWater Justice Program Coordinator
Water Justice Program Coordinator
Rosa Nelson joins Nuestra Casa as the Water Justice Program Coordinator. Rosa started by leading a team of outreach workers to conduct tap water quality tests in homes throughout East Palo Alto. That work quickly led to a small program distributing water filters to community members. She is now working on longer-term solutions to drinking water equity including research into local water affordability and quality, community organizing, and policy advocacy. Says Rosa, “I am passionate about environmental justice, specifically water quality, because I firmly believe everyone deserves access to clean, safe drinking water. Safe drinking water is a basic human right, and I want to work to ensure sustainable water access for the community of EPA.”
Rosa has a BA in Environmental Studies from Saint Mary’s College of California. Her undergraduate research was in blue carbon sequestration in the Contra Costa Wetlands. When Rosa is not with us, you can find her hiking the hills of the Bay Area or upcycling clothes.
Connect with Rosa on LinkedIn.
- Email:
- rnelson@nuestracasa.org
Contact Info
Our Board
Courtney FerlBoard Member
Board Member
Courtney Ferl moved to San Mateo in 2013 and fell in love with the peninsula. Growing up, her grandfather was a big influence in her life. He encouraged community involvement and led by example as an engaged community member of a small town in Nebraska. Volunteering has always been a meaningful part of Courtney’s life. She is now the Head of Customer Success at Genda.
Courtney started working with Nuestra Casa by leading a project to better document its Food Distribution program’s success and plan for future growth and development. She joined the board in 2022.
Courtney earned her BS in civil engineering from the University of Florida and her MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Previously, she was a civil engineer working on local projects like safe routes to school, public transit improvements, and developing connected bike paths throughout the peninsula. She loves applying her engineering and business skills to community-driven sustainability efforts. Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn.
Sam GaynorBoard Treasurer
Board Treasurer
Sam Gaynor grew up outside of Boston, MA. As the son of an immigration attorney, he spent much of his childhood hearing stories of the difficulty many immigrants have acclimating to life in the United States. He subsequently spent time working at the Asian American Civic Association in Boston, leading ESL classes and writing for their newspaper. This experience taught him the enormous value of community-focused programming to make life better for recent immigrants. Sam is now a Managing Director with Altamont Capital Partners, an investment firm in downtown Palo Alto.
Sam believes strongly in building equitable communities. He joined Nuestra Casa’s board in 2018 to improve financial literacy and access to entrepreneurial opportunities within East Palo Alto. To that end, Sam is a member of our Ad Hoc Program Committee. This Committee supports Nuestra Casa staff members’ efforts to build and pilot a business incubator program for members of our community.
Sam earned a B.A. with a double major in Economics and Chinese from Washington University in St. Louis and worked in management consulting with the Boston Consulting Group before joining Altamont Capital Partners in 2011. Sam is currently a Managing Director at Altamont Capital. Connect with Sam on LinkedIn.
Uriel HernandezBoard Member
Board Member
Uriel Hernandez grew up in East Palo Alto where he attended Ravenswood District Schools before graduating from Menlo Atherton High School. He attended college in rural Vermont where he studied how spaces and stories fit together. There, he developed a love for easily accessible green spaces for recreation and contemplation. He brought this love back to East Palo Alto through his work at Canopy where he organized community tree plantings and advocated for more green space for three years. Uriel is currently a Project Manager for the City of Palo Alto. He joined Nuestra Casa’s Board in 2019 to help amplify our environmental justice work.
Uriel’s hobbies still include exploring the bay area in search of unique places, special parks, and public space treasures. His favorite places include the Baylands around East Palo Alto. He dreams of the day when he can bike along the bay through a green corridor from East Palo Alto to San Francisco, or walk through an East Palo Alto covered by a healthy and lush canopy of trees.
Uriel holds a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College, where he studied Architecture and History. He has a Master of Natural Resources from Oregon State University. Previously, Uriel served as a Planning Commissioner for the City of East Palo Alto. Connect with Uriel on LinkedIn.
Diana LuisBoard Member
Board Member
Diana Luis immigrated to East Palo Alto from Oaxaca, Mexico at age 3 with her siblings and parents. Her first job was at EPA CAN DO (a housing development organization in East Palo Alto) where she discovered her passion for community. Growing up in East Palo Alto, she experienced firsthand the inadequate representation and lack of resources, services, and healthcare in the Latino community. Diana joined Nuestra Casa’s Board in 2013 because she wanted to be part of the movement to create positive change in her community.
Diana received her insurance agent license in 2007 and started her career in sales and marketing for insurance companies. She is currently an Office Manager at State Farm. She strives to serve as a consistent and evolving role model to her daughter and, through action, pass along her desire to serve others. Connect with Diana on LinkedIn.
Juan MendezBoard Chair
Board Chair
Juan Mendez grew up in East Palo Alto, where he attended Ravenswood District Schools before graduating from Phoenix Academy. Mendez joined the Nuestra Casa board in 2020 because of his commitment to issues that affect our community—affordable housing, financial literacy, sustainable communities, and high-quality education. No stranger to nonprofits, Mendez has worked in various roles at One East Palo Alto, Rising Sun Energy Center, and Attitudinal Healing Connection. Mendez firmly believes that nonprofit organizations like Nuestra Casa are the backbone to the success of many cities.
Mendez returned to East Palo Alto after graduating college. During the past few years, he’s demonstrated a significant commitment to his community by running for City Council and currently serves as a Planning Commissioner for the City of East Palo Alto.
Mendez is a proud first-generation college graduate from the University of California Berkeley, with a B.S in Legal Studies and a minor in Public Policy. He is currently studying for his Masters in City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning at San José State University. He mentors college students in his spare time, enjoys reading, trips to the beach, and spending time with his family. Connect with Juan on LinkedIn.
Delia PerlaBoard Member
Board Member
Delia Perla is Senior Director, Revenue at Position2, a full-service digital marketing growth agency catering to both B2B and B2C brands seeking to accelerate their growth. With 15 years in Sales/Marketing and a depth of experience in nonprofit management and development, Delia has dedicated her life to volunteering with organizations that help families, youth, and adults navigate economic and educational opportunities. In 2019, she joined the Board of Nuestra Casa and has served on the governance committee. Previously, Delia was the Board Chair of the organization.
In addition to her current role at Position2, Delia has held various leadership positions throughout her career, including V.P. of Communication at the Stanford Parents Club in 2021-2022. Delia co-founded an entrepreneurial training program for youth in Seattle, WA, served as an Area Director for a global nonprofit, and was a Co-Professor for Service Learning courses at Seattle Pacific University, where she was awarded Advisor of the Year. Delia holds a B.A. in S.W. in Community Organization and Development from the University of Washington and attended Nortre Dame de Namur towards an MBA in Marketing.
To connect with Delia, visit her LinkedIn profile.
Rigo RosasBoard Member
Board Member
Rigo Rosas is an immigrant from Michoacan, Mexico and has resided in California since his arrival at age 12. Rigo joined the Board because he is passionate about increasing culturally and linguistically competent services to Latino families. Moreover, Rigo is committed to improving his leadership and professional development skills to continue to serve as a leader to represent communities in need.
Rigo is an experienced mental health professional committed to serving underprivileged communities in Silicon Valley. He is a Behavioral Health Program Manager at Kaiser Permanente, and his work has focused on preventing, reducing, and eliminating the impact of mental health conditions on families in the SF Bay Area.
Rigo is also a 2018 fellow for the New Leader’s Council, the premier leadership institute in the country for progressive leaders. He currently serves on the Executive Board to New Leader’s Council. He is a graduate of the Latino Board Leadership Academy which provided him training to serve on the Board of Nuestra Casa. He is also a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. degree in Psychology. He completed his Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Santa Clara University. Connect with Rigo on LinkedIn.
Maria SalamancaAdvisor to the Board
Advisor to the Board
Maria Salamanca immigrated to Orlando, FL, from Colombia at age 7. She has a deep understanding of the immigrant experience and the importance of community support and advocacy. She is passionate about supporting Latinx families and small businesses. Maria was an active member of the Board from 2016-2022 and currently serves as an Advisor.
Maria Salamanca is a Partner at Ulu Ventures. Previously, she served as Principal at Unshackled Ventures, a fund that fills a unique space in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, funding teams with immigrant founders at pre-seed. Maria joined the fund close to its formation in 2015. During her time there, she was involved in 40+ investments and saw ~1,500 deals a year. In 2018, Maria was the first Latina named Forbes 30 Under 30 for Venture Capital and Business Insiders Under 30 Rising Stars. Her support for the Latinx community also won her the 2017 California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Shark of the Year.
She’s also spent time in the political world. She started her career at FWD.us, a bipartisan political organization focused on immigration and criminal justice reform. The group was founded by Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Ron Conway, Reid Hoffman, and other tech leaders. After the 2016 election, she was founding COO at Swing Left and supported Higher Ground Labs with the first-ever political technology landscape.
She attended UC Berkeley and received a double bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and Legal Studies. She is a mentor at Year Up, IDEO, Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative, and Founders Institute. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.
Gonzalo “Sal” TorresBoard Member
Board Member
Sal Torres was born in Los Angeles, California to Peruvian parents, Cesar and Graciela Torres. A dedicated public servant in San Mateo County and beyond for nearly 30 years, Sal was the first Latino elected to Daly City Council, winning five elections and serving as Mayor and Vice-Mayor five times. In September 2019, the State Bar of California’s Board of Trustees appointed Sal to the Council on Access and Fairness Committee. The Committee is responsible for effectuating the California State Bar’s diversity and inclusion goals and objectives. Sal is also President of the Board of Governors for the University of San Francisco School of Law. He joined Nuestra Casa’s Board in 2022.
Currently, he is Senior Director of the Americas Commercial Transactions Team at Equinix, Inc., the world’s leading digital infrastructure company. Sal is a co-founder of Equinix GenteConnect, an employee resource group he leads focused on increasing the number of Latino/a employees hired and promoted within the company.
When he’s not working or volunteering, Sal enjoys spending time with his wife, Leslie, a graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Nursing, and their two children, Sofia and Cristian. Sal and his wife founded the Cesar & Graciela Torres Memorial Scholarship. This first-ever endowed scholarship is awarded each year at the University of San Francisco Law School to assist Latino/a students who demonstrate financial need and academic promise. Sal received his law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law and has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from U.C.L.A. Connect with Sal on LinkedIn.
