2019 GALEO Institute for Leadership Profiles
Alicia E. Hernandez
Alicia E. Hernandez was born in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. She has a Bachelor of Science in accounting and hopes to pursue her graduate degree in higher education. Alicia currently works as a staff accountant for a local non-profit education organization.
She is a youth mentor and volunteer with The Latin American Association as well as the Hispanic Organization Promoting Education. Her passion for education has allowed her to get involved with the Youth Advisory Council Committee, which allows students the opportunity to voice their concerns with local school board members. Ms. Hernandez is a member of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network and The League of United Latin American Citizens.
Alicia is thrilled to be a part of the 2019 cohort of the GALEO Institute for Leadership and trusts, that through this process, she will acquire the skills and resources necessary to become an empowered leader and mentor in her community. When she is not volunteering, Alicia is either enjoying time with her family or reading a good book.
Amanda Stables
Amanda Stables was born and raised in Duluth, Georgia. She is a homeschool alumna who attended Cedarville University after graduation. There she obtained a bachelor’s in social work, a bachelor’s in Spanish, a minor in theology, and a minor in Spanish translation for professionals in 2016. During and before her time at Cedarville, Amanda enjoyed traveling and studying abroad extensively throughout Guatemala, Colombia, and Spain. She went on to attend the University of Georgia and complete a master’s of social work in 2017. Her social work concentration is in Community Empowerment and Program Development, and she also attained a Certificate of Nonprofit Management from UGA.
Amanda currently serves as the Quality Assurance Program Coordinator at Georgia Cares. Georgia Cares serves victims of domestic minor sex trafficking throughout the whole state of Georgia. She is passionate about advocacy and civic engagement in her state, and she has volunteered with organizations such as New American Pathways, GALEO, CPACS, and AAAJA. When she is not working, Amanda enjoys dancing ballet, traveling, and cheering on the Atlanta Braves.
Brianda Cabrera
Brianda Cabrera was born in Veracruz, Mexico and migrated to Atlanta, Georgia with her family at the age of 11. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Kennesaw State University and currently works as a corporate accountant. Brianda enjoys volunteering at various nonprofit organizations such as mentoring young women and teaching at a local GED program. She has a passion for working with the Latino community in Atlanta, especially passionate about education and believes that quality education is a right for all. Brianda enjoys running, hiking and spending time with her dogs, Coco and Lola. She also is working in obtaining the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
Dayhana Toro
My name is Dayhana Toro, I was born in Israel but I’m half Chilean and Colombian due to my parents. After turning six years old my parents decided to move to the United States to provide me with a better life style and educational opportunities. I graduated from Lakeside High School and recently graduated from Perimeter College and Georgia State University with a Health Sciences Associates. I decided to later transfer to Georgia Gwinnet College to proceed with my major, where now I’m a junior pursuing an Exercise Science degree and a minor in Business. I hope to work really hard to soon see myself graduating. In the meanwhile, I strive everyday to be a better version of myself by improving on my personal development skills and doing things that I love like Traveling and dancing on my free time.
Gabriela Esperanza Machain-Gilner
Gabriela Esperanza Machain-Gilner was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and immigrated to the United States at the age of fifteen. As an Enrolled Agent, licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS, she is currently employed with a CPA firm in Macon, GA. Gabriela holds an Associate of Hospitality Degree from Gwinnett Technical College, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a Graduate Certificate in Individual Taxation. She is on track to completing her Master of Science Degree in Taxation from the University of Cincinnati later this year (2019).
Gabriela has been a resident of California, Alabama, Virginia, and Georgia where she currently lives with her family near Warner Robins. She continues to donate her time to non-profit organizations that advocate for the economic advancement of Latinos and their communities. She is currently serving as a Score Mentor with the Middle Georgia Chapter.
Gabriela believes the stories we share with others are important to keeping our dreams alive.
“One of the most vivid memories I have about coming to this country is from High School, when a friend and I asked for information about college and were laughed at. We both spoke broken English then, but we were determined to make it. She now has a graduate degree and mine will be complete later this year.”
Due to her own immigrant experience as a teenager, Gabriela’s goals are to advocate for education, entrepreneurial skills, mental health, social and economic mobility, and political participation of Latinos in their communities. She hopes that we can bridge the gap between the lack of resources and information in Middle Georgia. She believes those who have been able to achieve social mobility and education should give back, in the form of mentorships, to the younger generation of Latinos in order to create the resources and networks to thrive.
Glorivee Cruz-Velazquez
Glorivee Cruz-Velazquez was born on the island of Puerto Rico and grew up in Holyoke, Massachusetts the eldest of three daughters of Jorge & Nelly Cruz. Glorivee has a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies with a concentration in Public Health from Mount Holyoke College, which is part of the Seven Sisters’ consortium of prestigious East Coast liberal arts colleges for women. She has had more than twenty plus years in non-profit management experience.
In 2005, she moved to the Woodstock, GA area with her husband and two sons volunteering at Papas Pantry and The Hope Center. Glorivee started working for Goodwill of North Georgia, Inc. in January of 2006 as the Program Manager of the NegocioNOW Program working towards supporting Hispanic business development. Currently, she is the Director of Career Centers, Region I for Goodwill of North Georgia, Inc. and continues to support the community by putting people to work.
Maryajose Zubillaga Sanchez
I was born in Valledupar, Colombia to Venezuelan parents and later moved back to Valencia, Venezuela. Due to political and social instability, my parents decided to immigrate to the United States in 2001. Here, I was able to achieve what my parents always wanted for their children- to get a good education. I graduated from Central Gwinnett High School in 2011, later from Oglethorpe University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Sociology and French, and currently I am applying to continue my education in Law School where I hope to focus on Immigration and Human Rights Law.
I have lived in the metro Atlanta area for the last 17 years with varied legal statuses. I became a DACA recipient most recently in 2011 and have had this status since; because of my experiences as an undocumented/DACAmented Latina, I have become an advocate for immigrant rights, Latinx representation (specially in leadership roles!), youth outreach, and women empowerment. I have volunteered with organizations geared towards these same goals, such as the ACLU, Georgia Democrats, I’ve worked in political research and political campaigns, and with non-profits aiming to help immigrant youth and immigrants on a global scale. All of these organizations have taught me the importance of advocacy, representation, equality, and justice, which is why I strive to continue in this path. I have always believed in doing good- for your peers, your community, your country as well as those outside of your communities- so I feel very fortunate to now be surrounded by like-minded individuals who want to do the same.
In my spare time I like to explore Atlanta and find new restaurants or coffee shops, going to concerts, strolling through the beltline or the High Museum, spending time with my family (but really, I mean my three year old nephew), sleeping, and unwinding with a good book and a glass of wine.
Nevena Radivojevic
Nevena Radivojevic was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina and came to the US with her family when she was five years old. She grew up in Georgia, where she went to Georgia State University and obtained her degrees in Accounting and Finance. During her senior year in college, Nevena took on the leadership role as VP of services in an organization called Beta Alpha Psi at Georgia State University. This role inspired her to be more active in her community and volunteer, as well as provided her with many job offers in big accounting firms. After interning at PwC, Nevena back-packed Europe for 3 months, came back to pursue her masters, and dropped out to venture on a different path not related to public accounting. After taking a year off to travel some more and connect with people, Nevena decided to get active in her community by volunteering to canvas for Stacey Abrams during mid term elections. She currently woks at an IT firm, but her ultimate goal is to find a non for profit where she can lead, inspire, and see a change in her community and peers.
Rosa C. Jupiter
Rosa Jupiter is a fervent believer in the power of data and is using it to its fullest potential. Her work to improve data visualization has been transformative in Georgia Power’s efforts to tell the story of why Georgia is the best state for business. While on the research team, Rosa sought creative ways of communicating meaningful insights to prospective businesses, becoming a pioneer in implementing new technologies adopted by the group. Extracting more impactful stories using cutting edge data visualization tools requires a strong focus on data, prompting Rosa’s recent move from senior research analyst to CRM manager.
After earning a Master’s degree in Urban Policy Planning from Georgia State University, Rosa’s career with Georgia Power began in 2004 with an internship in the Community & Economic Development team. She also completed an internship with Central Atlanta Progress to assist with downtown revitalization efforts. Rosa went back to Georgia Power as a full-time employee until she found it hard to say no to an opportunity to live abroad for a few years. With a few years of basic German knowledge and few thousand miles traveled under her belt, Rosa found herself in familiar territory back at Georgia Power and volunteering in organizations such Atlanta GLOW and the Center for the Visually Impaired. Her passion of Georgia inspires her work, truly living by the Georgia Power mission – being a citizen wherever you serve.
Rosa resides in Brookhaven and describes it as young, with vibrant energy and great food everywhere. And since she’s originally from Ecuador, where her most of her family still lives, easy access to Latino shops in the area is a huge plus. Rosa is an accomplished salsa dancer, and recently fulfilled her dream of visiting Cuba to dance and learn from the locals. Rosa also travels around the country, attending salsa festivals, sharing moves learned with anyone who will listen. On occasion, she’ll give a spontaneous lesson around the office listening to her favorite Cuban bands.
Sol Ochoa
Sol Ochoa is the Bilingual Program Associate for Asian Americans Advancing Justice- Atlanta. Sol was studying Political Science and International Relations at the Sergio Arboleda University in Bogota, Colombia.
She was born and raised in Medellin, Colombia and lived part of her life in Bogota DC.
She has been involved in the non-profit sector since she graduated high school, she volunteered at American Field Service (AFS) for 4 years. When Sol moved to Georgia, she got involved with Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO) as a canvasser which helped her realize she wanted to get deeply involved with the immigrant community.
Sol has always had a passion for serving others and help the vulnerable and unrepresented community.
Teresa Arriaga
Teresa Arriaga was born in Tallahassee, Florida to Mexican immigrants. She is a first-generation college graduate who graduated magna cum laude from The University of North Georgia where she received her bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies. During her time at The University of North Georgia she was elected as a Mike Cottrell College of Business Scholar for her academic achievement. Teresa was also a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She enjoyed serving as the secretary of the UNG Paralegal Club and was involved in debate tournaments and mock trials.
Teresa has decided to dedicate her life to advocate for immigrants’ rights and keeping their families together. She currently works as a paralegal helping individuals who are in deportation proceedings. Her aspirations include going to law school to become an immigration attorney to further serve the Latino community.
She is also a volunteer at an adult learning center that helps immigrants learn English. On her free time, she likes to travel, hike, read, go to concerts, and spend time with her family and friends.
Zarina Frausto
Zarina Frausto was raised in Acworth, Georgia by Mexican parents. Her parents’ sacrifices to come to the United States and leave everything behind are the motivation and inspiration to pursue higher education.
In 2018, Zarina graduated from Etowah High School. As a first-generation student, she is currently pursuing a Double Major in Criminal Justice and Psychology with a Minor in Portuguese at the University of Georgia. Zarina is a Graduation Coach and a District Supervisor for the Hispanic Organization Promoting Education (HoPe Inc.). Her work as a Graduation Coach involves providing college and scholarship information to current high school seniors as well as support and guidance in their lives. This aligns with her work as a District Supervisor to aid high school student leaders in managing their HoPe chapter. Her involvement in HoPe Inc. sparked her passion to help out the community and to continue to grow as leader. In her free time, she reads books pertaining to leadership and poetry.
