Meet Our Board
Alejandra Sanchez
Board President
Meet Alejandra
Alejandra Sanchez joins Casa Latino Unidos with a passion of helping underserved communities. She brings her experience as a Bilingual/Bicultural Clinic Health Navigator, where she worked directly with providers to ensure access to medical, mental, and dental treatments for the uninsured and underinsured population. Her focus is to engage patients in their care plan and help patients navigate the healthcare system. Alejandra hopes to help eliminate health care disparities and build healthier communities.
Cristian Reyes
Vice President
Meet Cristian
Cristian Reyes works at Oregon State University College of Engineering as the Coordinator for Outreach and Recruitment. Cristian earned a bachelor and master’s in public health from OSU; he was the first in his family to attend college and earn a graduate degree. Cristian is passionate about creating pathways that allow underrepresented communities to access educational, health, economic resources. Cristian has a lot of experience working in education and helping Latinx, migrant, and first-generation youth apply to colleges and universities.
Erlinda Gonzales-Berry
Founder
Meet Erlinda
Erlinda Gonzales-Berry, the second of five daughters, was born and raised in Northeastern New Mexico. She attended the University of New Mexico where she received a BA degree in 1964. She taught in public schools in California and New Mexico for four years. Then, after having married Ed Berry and given birth to their daughter, Maya, she returned to college and received an MA and a Ph.D. in Latin American Literature and Culture. Subsequently, she held professorial positions at Earlham College (1974-1978); New Mexico State University (1978-1979); University of New Mexico (1979-1997. In 1997 she joined the faculty at Oregon State University and served as Chair of the newly established Department of Ethnic Studies until 2007 when she retired as Professor Emerita. In 2009 she founded the nonprofit center, Casa Latinos Unidos de Benton County, for which she served as Executive Director for six years. Dr. Gonzales-Berry is co-author of Mexicanos in Oregon: Their Stories, Their Lives (Oregon State University Press 2010).
Elizabeth Peña
Treasurer
Meet Elizabeth
Elizabeth is originally from Guadalajara, Mexico. She graduated in Tourism, and is mother of four children; the two oldest have already graduated from university, and the two youngest are in high school. She has worked at Peoria Gardens Inc. for 27 years. Elizabeth considers herself an extreme value leader and has participated in helping the community as a course facilitator, including Taking Control of Your Health and Educa e Inspira. In the past, Elizabeth has led a women’s group at a church in Albany, and she has participated in several projects with the OSU Extension Family and Community health Program. She has also been involved with the School District in policy programs. Elizabeth prides herself as a positive person and believes that a good attitude improves everything.
Juan Guzmán, PhD
Secretary
Meet Juan
Juan Guzmán, a retired educator, comes to Casa Latinos Unidos with a strong background in the educational needs of disadvantaged, disabled, racial, and ethnic minority youth. Experiences in public school teaching and administration, university teaching, government service, and federally sponsored migrant education have allowed broad experiences in program development, staff training, and parental involvement. Juan has served as a consultant and has been on committees and advisory boards at the local, state and national levels. He is a veteran, having served four years in the U.S. Air Force. Since his retirement, he has been active as a volunteer in the Corvallis community.
Stephany Vasquez
Board Member
Meet Stephany
Stephany was raised in Beaverton, Oregon as well as Reno, Nevada. She has lived in Corvallis since 2010. She is a child of immigrants from Veracruz and Guanajuato. Stephany earned her undergraduate and professional degree in Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University.
As a second-generation immigrant and first-gen student, she is passionate about connecting with and strengthening the Latinx community. Stephany is also a parent to 3 young children and is excited to have them learn about their roots and culture. She is thrilled to be a part of Casa Latinos Unidos to better serve the community.