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Our Board of Directors
Chair
Esteban Echeverria, Esq.
Born in the state of Guerrero, Mexico, Esteban Echeverria moved to North Carolina with his family in 1979 as migrant and seasonal farmworkers. He worked during the summers picking cucumbers and cropping tobacco in Eastern North Carolina for eight years until he was 16. Echeverria received a degree in Anthropology and Latin American Studies at Appalachian State University. He was selected to be a Ford Fellow with the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials and assisted Congressman Jose Serrano’s office. Echeverria was also selected to be Public Policy Fellow with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and served his fellowship with the National Council of La Raza. Echeverria received his Juris Doctorate from North Carolina Central University (NCCU) School of Law in Durham, NC in 2006. While at NCCU, Echeverria was elected to serve as President of the Student Bar Association -- the first Latino in the school’s history to serve in this capacity.
Vice Chair
Michael S. Wong
Michael S. Wong is the Vice President of Finance and Business Development at Kimbrell’s Furniture, based in Charlotte, NC. He received his BA from Tufts University in International Relations and Economics and has a CEP from L’Institut d'Études Politiques in Paris. Prior to this role, Michael was the Commercial Finance Manager at GE Retail Consumer Finance and was a graduate for the GE Financial Management Program. He was born in Lima, Peru to immigrants of Japanese and Chinese descent. Ethnically Latino but Asian by race, it is no surprise why Michael's multicultural and international background complement La Coalición.
Secretary
Liliana Wendorff
Liliana Wendorff is an Associate Professor in the Foreign Languages Department at Queens University of Charlotte. She was born and raised in Piura, a small town in northern Peru. She earned her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she specialized in contemporary Spanish-American narrative, and minored in Latin American studies. Her dissertation, “La aventura de escribir: parodia y metaficción en La tía Julia y el escribidor de Mario Vargas Llosa,” was later published as a book. Her research has been published in various journals—Pembroke Magazine, Consensus, Nueva Literatura Hispánica, The Film Journal, and Romance Notes, among others. She has developed and managed learning programs in Peru and Spain, and was visiting professor of Spanish at Tomsk State Pedagogical University (Russia).
Member
Nancy Borrell
Nancy Borrell is the Owner/President of Borrell Enterprises, Inc. She is a seasoned learning and organizational development professional with a successful track record in developing, implementing and directing enterprise-wide leadership succession pipeline programs -- most notably, the US Department of Labor Career Assistance Learning and Leadership Center. During her 12 years at the Department of Labor Borrell developed numerous award winning career management, mentoring and leadership development succession programs. She has presented at international, national, regional and local conferences as an expert in organizational development. Borrell has served on boards at hospitals and chambers of commerce and is the NC Latina Outreach Liaison for the US Department of Labor Women’s Bureau Wi$e-Up Financial Literacy Program.
Member
Wilton Connor
Wilton Connor, a Charlotte native, is a retired business owner. His company, Wilton Connor Packaging, was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of America's Best Companies and was featured on ABC News, CBS News, and The Wall Street Journal. His company was also recognized for innovative employee benefits such as free laundry, child care, handyman repairs, language classes, and full-time school teachers to tutor the children of employees (of which over 50% were Latinos). After retirement, Connor lived in Ecuador as a Spanish language student. He is on the Central Piedmont Foundation Board, The Friends of Music at Queens Board, is Vice Chair of WDAV Classical 89.9, and is Chair of Concierto, a classical music program in Spanish and English and featuring Latin American and Spanish composers and performers.
Member
George F. Dick
Throughout his 30-year marketing career George F. Dick has worked with industry leading companies in banking, consumer goods, insurance, theme parks, and children’s toys. Dick has more than 20 years of financial services experience and has worked with Fifth Third Bank, First Charter Bank, Centura Bank, Assurant Group and YouDecide.com. His advertising background includes management positions at top ad agencies, including J. Walter Thompson and D’Arcy, where he guided advertising programs for Anheuser-Busch, Fresca, Cabbage Patch Kids, Wise Snacks and Busch Gardens. Dick currently holds the position of Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing for Fifth Third Bank’s North Carolina Affiliate. He serves on Fifth Third’s Diversity Council and is the advisor for the Latino Employee Resource Group. In addition, Dick serves on the Board of Directors of International House and is a graduate of the University of Alabama.
Member
Mo Idlibby, Esq.
Mo Idlibby is the President, CEO, and Managing Attorney of UFC Law - United Firm of Carolina Law. He is a trial attorney, who practices Immigration Law, Deportation/Removal Defense, Criminal Defense, and Domestic Violence Law. A former football player and wrestler at Davidson College, Idlibby has earned a reputation as a fierce competitor and zealous advocate in the courtroom on behalf of his clients. He has also made numerous media appearances or been featured on CNN, USA Today, Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, News14, and NPR, among others. As the son of two immigrants who escaped extreme violence from a country where the government was (and still is) killing its own people, Idlibby understands, relates to, and empathizes with the plight and struggles that face many members of the immigrant community. Idlibby's involvement with La Coalición came as a result of his love, drive, and passion for helping people from all walks of life, defending and protecting their rights, and defending the Constitutions of the United States of America and the State of North Carolina. Idlibby is also one of seven At-Large Members of the National Board of Directors of the Syrian-American Council (SAC), the largest Syrian-American organization in the United States. He also serves as the National Policy Chairman for SAC.
Member
Raphael J.D. Sebastian
Raphael Juan Diego Sebastian is a business consultant who has worked with many top companies. His most recent role was as Sr. Business Partner for Coca-Cola Consolidated, the largest bottler in the Coca-Cola system. Sebastian is the former Vice President and co-founder for WorkplaceDiversity.com, Director of Urban Marketing Initiatives for the Cherenson Group, and a Vice President/Director for Citigroup. A champion in the community, Sebastian has served on numerous boards including the Urban League of Central Carolinas and Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx's Hispanic Advisory Committee. He has received numerous community service awards including being honored by the NBA's NY Knicks and NJ Nets, as an Outstanding Hispanic American Professional for his significant achievements in business and his tireless efforts and impact in the community. Raphael earned his undergraduate degree Cornell University where he was both a successful student and athlete.
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