Our Team

STAFF

Susana Aranda

Educational Programs and Digital Education Assistant

Susana is originally from Ciudad Juárez, Chih., but has lived in Albuquerque for 20 years. She began working at Encuentro in 2010 as a childcare teacher and is now in the Department of Education as an Assistant for Education Programs and Digital Education. In his free time, he enjoys working at his item customization company.

[email protected]

Brook Bernini

Economic Opportunities Manager- HHA Program

Brook (she/they) is originally from Massachusetts and has lived in the Southwest for the past 20 years. She joined Encuentro in 2019 to co-create a senior nutrition course, develop an internship program matching home health aides (HHAs) with limited income seniors in our community, support the formation of a worker-owner HHA cooperative, and train HHAs in community workshop facilitation. She has experience in experiential and adult education, as a doula and interpreter, and in community organizing. Brook is passionate about solidarity economies and in shifting the provision of care away from low-paid agency work to democratic workplaces with just wages and compassionate care.

[email protected]

Norma Casas

CCHW- Community Health Worker

Norma is originally from the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Her vocation was always to be a teacher to share her knowledge with the people around her. Her career at Encuentro began in 2011 as a kindergarten teacher, then she became an administrative assistant since her studies were more focused on accounting. Over time she decided to add more studies to her knowledge, graduating with a Child Development Certificate and as a Certified Community Health Worker. With this knowledge Norma supports her community by educating and sharing resources.

[email protected]

Julia Cusatis

Development Director

Julia was born in Wisconsin, the proud daughter of Italian and German immigrants. She raised her son in North Carolina before moving to New Mexico in January 2019 to join Encuentro’s team as the Director of Development. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, has lived, worked and studied abroad, spent a year and a half backpacking around the world, and holds a Master’s degree in Education and post graduate certificate in Training and Development.  Her eclectic career includes professional experience across fields of higher education, hospitality management, experiential learning and development, and organizational consulting. Click here to view her LinkedIn profile. To explore how you can help fuel Encuentro’s mission with your time, talents or treasures, contact Julia at [email protected] .

[email protected]

 

Felipe Durán

Educational Programs Assistant

Felipe was born in Guaymas Sonora Mexico on October 5, 1961. Later, life took him to live in the city of Los Mochis, Sinaloa where he completed his high school studies. He completed a degree in Business Administration at Autonomous University of Guadalajara. These are the Mexican cities that have seen him grow. Now he feels happy in Albuquerque, NM in this generous country of the U.S.A. which has given him the opportunity for a better future for his family. His position at Encuentro is that of Educational Program Assistant. Felipe is proud to share the same history of courage and desire to improve that distinguishes every immigrant.

[email protected]

Ilse Grijalva Lastiri

Communications Manager & Tu Voz Digital Coordinator

Ilse is a radiohost/communicator/migrant originally from Chihuahua. Her decade-long dedication to serving the community in various capacities has been centered on empowering immigrant families and strengthening community ties. With experience in digital media production and storytelling, Ilse’s goal, through her role as Encuentro’s communications manager and coordinator of the Tu Voz Digital community journalism program, is to change the negative narrative that exists around our communities of color and give them a voice.  In her free time, Ilse is also a radio host on a local FM station, facilitates leadership workshops, and could easily win a knowledge championship on the series “Grey’s Anatomy”.

[email protected]

 

Teresa Guevara

Director of Educational Programs

Teresa has been the Director of Educational Programs since 2012. Three decades of transnational experience in the field of Adult Education, combined with her identities as a feminist Mexican immigrant mother, grandmother, and English language learner, shape her vision and understanding of the challenges and educational needs of the immigrant community. Her educational background includes a Master’s degree in TESOL and a PhD in Language and Sociocultural Studies from UNM. A firm believer in the transformational power of education, Teresa loves learning every day from the cultural richness and lived experiences of adult learners and witnessing the impact of Encuentro’s educational programs in their lives. She plays social justice folkloric music with two local bands, LasOtras and Mala Maña.

[email protected]

Rosalina Lopez

HHA- Economic Opportunities Coordinator

Rosalina is originally from Durango, Mexico. She has experience working as a tax preparer with Liberty Tax and nutrition instructor for Presbyterian Healthcare Services. She studied the Home Health Aide and PCA course at CNM/Encuentro in 2018. She is a domestic worker and independent contractor. Rosalina also has experience as a Volunteer for several organizations such as Roadrunner Food Bank, APS and Encuentro. Her current position at Encuentro is Economic Opportunity Coordinator in the paid internship and EnCasa Care Connections. She is excited to be a part of this organization that provides educational opportunities for our community. Rosalina enjoys time with her family and loves traveling!

[email protected]

Dalia Medina Bustillos

Executive Director

Dalia and her family moved to Albuquerque from Mexico City more than two decades ago. After graduating from South Valley Academy, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminology from the University of New Mexico. In 2016, she earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from New Mexico Highlands University. For more than 15 years, she has devoted herself to providing services to children, youth, and families, many of whom have been directly affected by migration.

[email protected]

Joseline Mendoza

COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT

Joseline is a first-generation individual born in the United States, resident of Albuquerque NM. Joseline graduated with an interdisciplinary arts degree from the University of New Mexico and loves to involve herself in the arts and community growth. She is currently the communications and development assistant, helping support our programs, fundraising, and the public relations of the organization. Joseline knows first hand the experience of hard work through her family. That of which motivates her in her own life, especially when it comes to helping others and having the opportunity of dedicating herself to what she’s passionate about. Joseline enjoys traveling, dancing, and learning new things.

[email protected]

Veronica Salazar

Digital Education Coordinator and Instructor

Veronica was born and raised in Mexico City amd migrated to the United States in 2002. On 2003 She joined a group called “La Comunidad Habla”, group of women leaders in which she learned to connect and work with the community,  She also gained experience as a recruiter, computer instructor, training the Hispanic community in the search for resources and everything always focused on technology. From 2010 to the present She have worked at Encuentro NM as a Computer Instructor teaching classes focusing on digital skills. Vero, as known by all of the coomunity, believe in collective transformation breaking down the barriers of technology and her goal is to build and learn more on a personal and professional level to continue helping her community.

[email protected]

 

 

April Smith

April (she/her) was born and raised in Montana, but has lived and worked in many places like Texas, Kentucky, Canada, Mexico, Niger, and the Philippines. Travel and culture are passions that allow her to meet new people and learn about how the world lives. These interests led her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a Latin American Studies minor as well as a Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.  Currently, April manages the Adult Education Programs and is glad to have the opportunity to serve the Albuquerque community. April is a firm believer in acceptance of others near and far and enjoying the differences we all have to offer. Difference is beautiful!

[email protected]

Alma Torres

Community Health Worker/ Office Administrator

Alma was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, in a small town. Without the opportunity to study, she immigrated at the age of 18 to Albuquerque. She raised a family in this country, and has taken every opportunity to provide better service for the benefit of her family and her community.  Experiencing the needs of the immigrant community by finding resources and opportunities for herself, she found the opportunity to serve as a student, volunteer and now as an employee in different organizations. As a student she joined Encuentro from its inception, completing her High School Equivalency, Child Development Certificate and the Community Health Worker program. 

Janet Valerio

Janet was born and raised in Lima, Peru. She is the mother of two children and therefore greatly values time, both hers and other people’s. She has a degree in Administration with more than 18 years of experience in the field. Janet has a postgraduate degree in Business Administration. She studied International Leadership in Spain which allowed her to travel to several countries in Europe. She joined Encuentro in July 2023 and is supporting various functions in the HHA area. She firmly believes that everything can be achieved with discipline and passion.

[email protected]

Childcare

Board

Claudia Medina

Board Member

Claudia is the Director of the University of New Mexico, Community Health Worker Initiatives (CHWI). In that capacity, she has developed, piloted and evaluated projects and tools aimed at integrating Community Health Workers (CHW’s) into the workforce. Before working for UNM, Claudia was the co-founder and executive director for 14 years of Enlace Comunitario (EC), an Albuquerque non-profit serving Latino immigrant victims of domestic violence and engaging in community development efforts. Ms. Medina has a Law Degree, an M.A. in Family Studies and an M.A. in Latin American Studies with a concentration in Community Planning.

[email protected]

Guiovanna Aguirre

Treasure

I am a native New Mexican and grew up in Los Lunas, NM. I received an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico in 2013. I joined Centro Sávila as the Business Operations Manager in November 2014, before transitioning to the Director of Operations in 2017, and I’m now serving as the Finance Director. I provide support, guidance, and leadership to all Centro Sávila staff, student interns, volunteers, and the community. I’m responsible for the organization’s business accountabilities and ensuring that the day-to-day operations at all four locations run smoothly. These responsibilities include strong experience in an administrative capacity, serving the organizations needs in human resources, accounting, budgeting, grant writing and reporting, and program management. I also serve on the Board for La Cosecha C.S.A. and Encuentro and is the Board President for Proyecto Educación, all local nonprofit organizations. Working at Centro Sávila has given me a deep appreciation of how the nonprofit sector strives to improve the quality of life for the communities they serve. 

[email protected]

 

Martha Hurtado

Board Member

I am originally from Lerdo, Durango, and am now based in Albuquerque, N.M. I immigrated to the US more than 40 years ago. I am a woman who has worked all her life to raise her 6 children. Currently, I work as a home health caregiver. My journey with Encuentro began 4 years ago when I started with English classes with the teacher Queta. Later I took computer classes with the teacher Veronica and I have not stopped getting involved by attending all Encuentro events, being a volunteer, recruiting new students and motivating my colleagues to continue with their education. I am currently serving as a leader within the Board of Directors that I joined a little over a year ago. There I continue to learn and contribute ideas to make the organization even better. I feel very happy and proud to be part of Encuentro; a place where I not only learn but also have a family, a space where my voice is heard and where I feel empowered.

[email protected]

Patricia Telles

Board Member

I am from El Paso, Texas and I come from a family that for generations has worked for voting rights, against economic disparities and for the general betterment of the Latinos on the Border. I have lived and worked in Albuquerque for the past 30 plus years. As a Clinical Director of Counseling at Enlace Comunitario, we served immigrant victims of domestic violence and their children. I help immigration attorneys in providing reports for their clients to prevent family separations and now I am honored to be a board member of Encuentro. I hold a PhD in clinical psychology and have decades focused on making people’s lives more meaningful, joyful and adding laughter.

[email protected]

Sandra Ortsman

Board President

Sandra Ortsman has over a decade of experience working in nonprofit organizations. Until January of 2015, Ortsman was the Associate Director and Director of Planning, Development and Evaluation for Enlace Comunitario, a social justice domestic violence agency working to end domestic violence and promote healthy families in the Latino immigrant community in New Mexico. Her work has focused on developing, securing funding for and evaluating programs. Ms. Ortsman has created and implemented development plans for a variety of nonprofits. She is a Community Planner who is actively engaged in her community. Ms. Ortsman serves on the board of Encuentro, an immigrant rights community organization. She recently began her own consulting company to help social justice and social service nonprofits in New Mexico and nationally. Ms. Ortsman is also mom to an amazing toddler boy and baby girl.

[email protected]

Shalini Thomas

Secretary

Hi! I was born in India, grew up in Iowa, and have been in the Southwest most of my adult life, starting when I moved to El Paso, TX in 2009.  I have spent my career working with the immigrant community, from co-founding and organizing with the Comité de Justicia Laboral, a grassroots organization that fought wage theft through community empowerment; to working at Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Services as an Accredited Representative; to volunteering with Annunciation House, including as travel logistics coordinator for reunified families during the summer of 2018.   I moved to Albuquerque in May 2019. While El Paso will always have my heart, Albuquerque is definitely a close second! I am now a Supervising DOJ Accredited Representative with New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, which has had a strong relationship and partnership with Encuentro since its inception in 2010, and am so happy to be an Encuentro Board member!   Two truths and a lie: I am fluent(ish) in Spanish, I have an MBA.

Instructors

April Smith

Citizenship and ESL Instructor (Beginner Level)

Bill Ancker

ESL Instructor

Dair Obenshain

ESL INSTRUCTOR (BEGINNER LEVEL)

Emilia Rivera

Finance Instructor

Melanie Bartholomew

Citizenship and ESL Instructor (Intermediate Level)

Veronica Salazar

Digital Education Coordinator and Instructor
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