Staff

Vania has deep political organizing experience, connecting with BIPOC and Latinx voters. Vania has worked across the country by organizing volunteers and staff to elect progressive candidates to office. To name a few candidates: Hillary Clinton, current Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Stacey Abrams, and Lorena González who ran for Mayor here in Seattle. She went to university in NYC and Florida, where she majored in Women and Gender Studies, where her passion for community and peoples rights began.

Vania was born in Santiago, Chile and came to the United States at four years old. Honored to be the daughter of a first generation immigrant mother. Her mother was a housekeeper for 15 years in Florida, and her family was fortunate enough to start their own family business.

Dr. Marisa Herrera has stepped in as the new Co-Executive Director on an interim basis, bringing a wealth of experience in leadership and community engagement. Her career includes notable roles such as Director of HR and Community Engagement for the Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship, where she excelled in strategic initiatives and team leadership. Dr. Herrera has also served as Vice President for Shoreline Community College, Executive Director for Community Building and Inclusion and Director of the Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center at the University of Washington, and Associate Director of El Centro Chicano y Latino in California.

A dedicated advocate for immigrant and Spanish-speaking communities, Dr. Herrera co-founded Leadership Without Borders to support undocumented students at the University of Washington. Her previous roles include serving as a Commissioner to the City of Seattle’s Human Rights Commission and as a board member for Casa Latina in 2017. With a Doctorate in Administration, a Master’s in Business Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness, Dr. Herrera’s academic and professional background underscores her commitment to equity and social justice.

Originally from Arizona and hailing from a family with a strong tradition in labor union organizing, Dr. Herrera has always been driven by a passion for advocacy and social equity. She is thrilled to contribute to Casa Latina, particularly as the organization celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Originally from New Jersey, Suzanne has lived and worked in Seattle since 1994, dedicating herself to teaching, writing, and human rights. She taught Humanities and Writing for many years at the Northwest School, where she worked with a wide range of English language learners, led numerous trips to El Salvador, coordinated a school-wide Environmental Sustainability program, and advised student led groups dedicated to LGBTQIA+ visibility and race equity. A published poet and teaching artist, Suzanne has worked with the Puget Sound chapter of School of the Americas Watch since 2005 and has engaged in a wide range of action and advocacy for migrant justice. In her free time, Suzanne loves being outside, traveling, reading, and cooking.

Originally from Mexico, Yuliana is trained as a Peer Trainer and Facilitator in Financial Education, Literature and Health by the Puget Sound School District. After collaborating with Casa Latina for more than 5 years in advocating for early  education and being a member of the Casa Latina Workers’s Center, she joined Casa Latina as a workers safety trainer.  She’s found in Casa Latina her passion for Social Justice. A place where she can share her capacity, experience, aptitudes, and abilities. Casa Latina is a home where she can work hand in hand with her colleagues fighting for the well-being of her community. Yuliana enjoys spending time with her three kids.

Born in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, Elvia’s journey at Casa Latina began through her participation in English classes. She later became a member of Casa Latina to take part in the job dispatch program and the leadership group Mujeres Sin Fronteras. Over time, Elvia became a facilitator and is now the organizer of the Casa Latina Domestic Workers. Her greatest inspiration is to be able to help women  and her community. Elvia likes to focus on companionship and in her free time she enjoys cooking, walking, and sharing time with her family.

Fred manages the workers center and workforce development programs. He brings expertise in managing daily operations and implementing key programming that supports day laborers and domestic workers from Latinx communities. Fred is committed to economic justice and strengthening workforce development in immigrant communities.

Fred holds OSHA certification and over 8 years of experience in workforce development and labor services.

In his free time, Fred enjoys kayaking, hiking, and grilling.

Originally from France, Vero holds a MBA degree from SKEMA European Business School. Vero has been an key leader in both local and international campaigns for domestic worker rights. She joined the Casa Latina team in 1999 and today she serves as the Director of Community Programs. In her spare time, Vero enjoys learning about different cultures and traveling, especially to France with her children.

Raul was born in East Los Angeles, and later moved to Eastern Washington. He moved to Seattle when he was accepted to Graduate School at the University of Washington. Raul has a strong commitment to the Latina/o day worker community. He is currently finishing his Ph.D. dissertation on Day Workers at Casa Latina. In his free time, Raul loves to support the Dodgers, Lakers, fish and play the accordion.

With a passion for community organizing, Silvia oversees the organization’s campaigns and legislative efforts at the local, state, and national level. Her work at the local level also focuses on leadership development and advocacy training for domestic workers, supporting members of the Women Without Borders program.

Silvia brings knowledge in developing partnerships, advocacy work, and a strong commitment to enhancing the lives of immigrant community members through policy change. Silvia was active in the passing of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in Seattle. This was the first of its kind in the nation. She is also co-president of the Seattle Domestic Workers Standards Board and is part of the Washington State Labor Council executive board.

Outside of the office, Silvia enjoys hiking, cycling, and running.

Marco Antonio is Venezuelan. He has lived in Seattle for the past 4 years after fleeing from the political persecution of his country. Dedicated to education, teaching, and university education, he became part of the marginal communities of the city of Caracas for more than 25 years as a community leader for education. He graduated as an Organizational Psychologist and was an adviser in the oil industry for his last 7 years before leaving his country. At Casa Latina he began working as a Day Laborer and today is the Workforce Development Coordinator. In his spare time, Marco Antonio enjoys exercise and body training, in addition to Afro-Caribbean music and dance.

Sergio was born in Ensenada, Baja California, and raised in the greater-Seattle area. He has a passion for technology, design, problem-solving, and looks for ways to merge them with advocacy. Sergio strives to raise awareness to critical problems affecting marginalized communities and finds joy in the ability to explore ideas that will help people solve challenging problems. In his free time, he likes to listen and share music.

Gabriela manages all aspects of fundraising and communications, develops financial and strategic goals, and cultivates donor outreach and relationship building for Casa Latina. Gabriela’s commitment to advancing the power of Latinx workers is rooted in her upbringing, family, and community of El Paso, Texas.

Gabriela draws from her successful fundraising background and expertise in developing a community-centric approach to fundraising. She brings a deep understanding of communications, including online platforms and social media to elevate Casa Latina’s online presence and engagement strategies.

Gabriela holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a Minor in Spanish from Texas Tech University. Outside of the office, Gabriela enjoys long-distance running, playing tennis, hiking, visiting parks around the city, and has a passion for architecture.

Alan recently moved to Seattle from Davie, Florida and was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. As a descendant from immigrant parents, whom are both from Ecuador, he is passionate about immigration rights and education. Alan has worked with non-profit organizations for more than 5 years, one of which was the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). He hopes to contribute his previous knowledge of development operations to Casa Latina. In his spare time, Alan enjoys knitting, gaming, and discovering local eateries.

Lilia serves as the central liaison for both prospective and existing members, utilizing her expertise in community support to establish lasting relationships while streamlining access to essential resources.

Committed to fostering engagement within the membership and wider community, Lilia fulfills a crucial function in linking individuals with necessary services and aid. She offers attentive guidance and support to Casa Latina’s diverse membership, handling inquiries with sensitivity and empathy. Through her adept interpersonal abilities, Lilia actively promotes community involvement and collaboration.

Outside of the office, Lilia enjoys exploring the scenic beauty of Washington state and participating in various outdoor activities.

Juan is originally from Saltillo Coahuila México, he’s lived in Seattle, Washington since 2004 with his wife and three children. He is a certified Public Accountant and joined the CASA Latina Team in July of 2007. For Juan, CASA Latina is home, it’s a place that continues to provide opportunities to contribute to our community. Through his enthusiastic participation, nurtured by the mission that defines the path we advance on a daily basis, strategically oriented with the vision that observes obstacles and challenges we fully face and resolve as a community. Juan enjoys family adventure with trips and reunions, meeting people and places, reading, sports, music, art, cinema, and gastronomy.

Born in Bellingham, WA, Riley has lived in Seattle since 2014 where she moved to attend the University of Washington. After obtaining a degree in accounting and her CPA, Riley started her career as an auditor at Deloitte, followed by work in grant compliance at the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation.

Riley spent the first half of 2021 volunteering at a preschool and soup kitchen in Granada, Nicaragua. Upon her return to Seattle, she first encountered Casa Latina through the Somos Vecinos language program. Riley believes strongly in advancing the power and well-being of Latino immigrants through employment, education, and community organizing.

In addition to volunteering on her local church’s finance committee, Riley is also on the board of Volunteers in Development, Education, and Solidarity (VIDES+USA) that strives to support the marginalized across the globe. Riley also currently serves as the Finance Deputy on the board of Well Constructed, an NPO focused on providing clean water to the Upper East Region of Ghana.

Riley enjoys skiing, camping, and spending time with her family (including her sweet French Bulldog). Her favorite book is by Gabriel Garcia Marquez: Love in the Time of Cholera.

Annastasia came to Casa Latina as a volunteer herself. Out of a strong desire to be part of a force for good in the universe, she is very proud to be part of an organization that supports and empowers our vibrant Latinx community. Originally from Montana, she has a deep love for all nature and spends as much time outdoors as possible. When not at Casa Latina or kayaking down a river, or stargazing, Annastasia is an accomplished pianist and composer and is very active writing musical scores for film and theater. She often performs at various venues around Seattle.