75 years of combined experience
Governing Board
Latinos LEAD board members bring more than 75 years of combined professional work experience in the nonprofit, corporate, and public sectors. Latinos LEAD board members also draw on their wide range of service as directors on other nonprofit boards. From the inception of Latinos LEAD in mid-2017, the board has devoted countless hours to developing the strategic and programmatic direction of this new organization.
Patrick Salazar
Founder & Board Chair
Patrick Salazar has more than 25 years experience in nonprofit senior management and consulting, specializing in fundraising, program development, evaluation, and communications. His consulting has helped many nonprofit organizations build organizational capacity, and successfully navigate start-up and turnaround operations.
Juan Ramos
Vice Chair/Secretary
Juan Ramos was elected to the Latinos LEAD Board of Directors in July 2019. He previous served on the Executive Advisory Council. He is a prominent legal figure in transactional law, including corporate, real estate, contracts and business law.
Luis Cruz
Board Treasurer
Luis Cruz was elected to the Latinos LEAD Board of Directors in March 2020. He brings a wealth of experience in finance, having spent most of his career in equity research at Goldman Sachs and direct investing for a single-family office. Luis was originally introduced to Latinos LEAD by participating in its Ready to LEAD program.
Cindy Montañez
Board Member
Cindy Montañaez is CEO of TreePeople and a lifelong Angelena working for change in her community since the age of 12. Over the course of her career, Cindy has become a champion for the environment, sustainable urban planning and social justice.
supports and advances our mission
Executive Advisory Council
The Latinos LEAD Executive Advisory Council (the Council) supports and advances the mission of Latinos LEAD to increase the representation of talented Latinos on nonprofit governing boards. Members of the Council are professionals with substantial senior management or board level experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.
The Council plays important roles in helping Latinos LEAD make an impact:
- Evaluate the marketing and growth strategies
- Review plans for a specific program or initiative
- Serve as advocate for Latinos LEAD to the markets and communities it serves
- Gather input from and/or serve as a liaison with relevant constituencies
- Provide feedback from prospective clients and the community
- Provide technical expertise
- Generally act as an independent and unbiased sounding board
The Council also provides insight leading to effective planning, monitoring and strengthening of programs and services, ensuring adequate financial resources, and enhancing the organizations public standing.
Pamela Chen
Pamela Chen is a creator of storytelling experiences. She specializes in amplifying the voices of creative artists through multi-platform creation, curation, and technology.
Arturo Espinoza
Arturo Espinoza is a recognized leader in the arts and arts management, and recently completed three years as a mayoral appointee leading Washington DC’s Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
Norma Fuentes
Norma Fuentes has more than 25 years of senior professional fundraising experience across several nonprofit sectors, including higher education, biomedical, non-profit, conservation, veterinary medicine, and the arts fundraising.
Jimmy Gurulé
Jimmy Gurulé is a nationally recognized expert in the field of international criminal law, specifically, terrorism, terrorist financing, economic sanctions, and anti-money laundering.
Stephanie Medina
Stephanie Medina is a seasoned nonprofit leader with strong media and communications expertise. Stephanie served a two-year term on the board of Latinos LEAD and co-chaired the Advisory Committee of the organization’s Diversity in Environmental Leadership Initiative.
Mitch Menchaca
Mitch Menchaca served on the Latinos LEAD Board of Directors prior to his service on the Executive Advisory Council. He is the Executive Director of the Phoenix Office of Arts & Culture.
Ross Romero
Ross Romero is a Salt Lake City-based attorney & consultant with an extensive background in commercial litigation, labor and employment, and government relations.
