Who We Are

Cultural Events Director

Tony Arreaza

aarreaza@latinamericancoalition.org

704-941-2557

MY CULTURE

I am from Venezuela. I have been living in Charlotte since 1993 and am married to a beautiful woman from Cuba.

MY IMPACT

I organize five annual cultural events that raise community awareness of Latino culture and I strive to make Charlotte a cooler, more diverse city.

Economic Development Coordinator

David Arroyo-Garay

darroyo@latinamericancoalition.org

704-531-3849

MY CULTURE

I am a Puerto Rican American, born and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

MY IMPACT

I help get rid of the barriers that prevent people from finding a job.

Community Organizer

Rausel Arista

rarista@LatinAmericanCoalition.org

704-941-2541

MY CULTURE

I am a lover of all culture. My family was one of the civilizations that had a great impact (Maya) in the cultural changes.

MY IMPACT

Es como poder o hacer cambiar el trabajo dentro de nuestra comunidad.

Community Organizer

Elver Barrios

ebarrios@LatinAmericanCoaliton.org

704-584-9582

MY CULTURE

I'm a DACAmented immigrant from Guatemala. I have been living here since 2005 and I'm a first generation college student.

MY IMPACT

I engage my community to fight for their rights, and to take a stand against oppression.

Job Bank Coordinator/AmeriCorps ACCESS Member

Elizabeth Beaumont

ebeaumont@latinamericancoalition.org

704-531-3848

MY CULTURE

I am an American of mixed heritage, largely German and French.

MY IMPACT

I am passionate about immigration reform and Latin culture. My goal is to work each day toward shining light on the truths hidden in the fabric of our society, so that one day we might achieve better equality for all in the United States. I believe if we stand together we can be the change we want to see.

Director of Communications

Armando Bellmas

abellmas@latinamericancoalition.org

704-531-3932

MY CULTURE

First generation Estadounidense with padres Cubanos and roots tot el camí de nou a Catalunya.

MY IMPACT

I tell people about all the great things we do here at La Coalición.

Volunteer Manager

Bonnie Carter

bcarter@latinamericancoalition.org

704-941-6735

MY CULTURE

I am an American with Irish roots.

MY IMPACT

I help people get involved in their community through meaningful volunteer work and internships.

Volunteer Coordinator/AmeriCorps ACCESS Member

Daniel de la Cruz

ddelacruz@latinamericancoalition.org

704-941-6733

MY CULTURE

I am a second generation NYC born Dominican American. I lived in Santiago, R.D. for 5 years before relocating to beautiful North Carolina.

MY IMPACT

I facilitate and encourage community involvement through volunteer work and internships.

Immigrant Welcome Center Coordinator

Luisa Dexheimer

ldexheimer@LatinAmericanCoalition.org

704-941-2559

MY CULTURE

I’m from the land of lakes and volcanoes, a simple town where the country is small, but it dreams big. Proud Nicaraguan of Indigenous Miskito mothers, mestizo father, and social upbringings.

MY IMPACT

Lead our community to a better cultural, economic, and social integration in Charlotte with the help from our friend agencies and through our programs and services.

Client Service Specialist

Laura Espinosa

lespinosa@latinamericancoalition.org

704-531-3848

MY CULTURE

I was born and raised in Colombia. I came to the United States when I was 19 years old.

MY IMPACT

I started volunteering at the Coalition in February 2011 and the following September began to serve as a Client Service Specialist. This is a great opportunity to help and guide many people who need it. There's nothing more satisfying than helping our community.

Integration Coordinator

Silvia Falconi

sfalconi@latinamericancoalition.org

704-941-2547

Executive Director

Jess George

jgeorge@latinamericancoalition.org

704-531-3845

MY CULTURE

I am the American great-granddaughter of Irish and Norwegian immigrants.

MY IMPACT

I am a passionate ally of the immigrant rights movement.

Political Director

Francisco Lopez

flopez@latinamericancoalition.org

503-269-5694

MY CULTURE

I am originally from El Salvador with Mayan, Spanish and Chinese roots.

MY IMPACT

I am passionate about building power for our Latino Community.

Assistant, Immigrant Rights Program

Estefani Merchan

emerchan@latinamericancoalition.org

704-941-2552

MY CULTURE

I am a PROUD immigrant and Citizen of the World.

MY IMPACT

Support the on-going mission of the Immigrant Rights Program which is not only to assist but empower clients with the necessary information to safely navigate the complex world of immigration law.

Immigrant Welcome Center Manager

Joanna Rivera

jrivera@latinamericancoalition.org

704-941-6731

MY CULTURE

I am a proud Colombiana. I came to Charlotte in 2000 seeking better opportunities and a more peaceful place to start my family.

MY IMPACT

I make sure people are informed about all the resources, opportunities, support and services available in the Charlotte community.

ESL Coordinator/AmeriCorps ACCESS Member

Natalie Sistrunk

nsistrunk@latinamericancoalition.org

704-531-3848

MY CULTURE

I am an American of Western European heritage, mostly English and Italian.

MY IMPACT

I help make our clients lives a little easier by helping them to improve their English skills.

Development Coordinator

Whitney Smith

wsmith@latinamericancoalition.org

704-941-2544

MY CULTURE

I am a native North Carolinian. I am a mix of small town roots and a global perspective.

MY IMPACT

I tell compelling stories about the needs in our community and the critical work that we do to address those needs.

Immigration Paralegal

Maritza Solano-Rodriguez

msolano@latinamericancoalition.org

704-531-3848

MY CULTURE

I am from Colombia and was born in a city that is 2,600 meters closer to the stars.

MY IMPACT

With my family, I came to the United States 7 years ago. Working for two years with Americorps awoke in me the passion to serve and help my community. I know that together, we can go far. My community needs people who want to help them and that's where I want to focus my work.

Immigrant Rights Program Director

Adriana Galvez Taylor

ataylor@latinamericancoalition.org

704-941-6734

MY CULTURE

I was born and essentially formed in Argentina, am a U.S. citizen, and am married to a Mexican national.

MY IMPACT

I lend my technical knowledge in the field of immigration law to the immigrant rights program specifically, and more widely to the entire organization, trying my best to incorporate education, advocacy, compassion, and a whole systems perspective to the way I do the work.

Culture Events Coordinator

Jaime Villegas

jvillegas@LatinAmericanCoalition.org

704-941-6732

MY CULTURE

Soy hijo de padres Mexicanos. I was born and raised in NC but my journeying soul loves to seek adventures in new cultures.

MY IMPACT

I help bring the party to the Queen city by helping put on some of Charlotte's biggest (and best) cultural events in food and music. I also organize films for CineMás, a Latino film series, where we highlight Latino films and their passionate talent in front of (and behind) the camera from different Latin countries.

Advocacy Director

Lacey Williams

lwilliams@latinamericancoalition.org

704-941-2542

MY CULTURE

My great grandparents were Bulgarian immigrants.

MY IMPACT

I facilitate youth leadership and activism. I also have the most decorated office. Come see me!

Youth Development Coordinator

Megan Walsh

mwalsh@LatinAmericanCoalition.org

704-531-3848

MY CULTURE

I'm a self-identified Chicana, born and raised in the south.

MY IMPACT

I help break down barriers that inhibit undocumented an immigrant students from accessing higher education. I also run the advocacy based OBRA Art Collective.