Staff & Leaders

Héctor Sánchez-Flores is the executive director of the National Compadres Network (NCN), where he leads the organization’s work to promote methods that build upon the cultural and personal assets of people and communities, especially for young men of color, to intervene and prevent violence, truancy, teen pregnancy and other life-limiting outcomes for children, teens, and…

Jerry Tello is a father, grandfather, son and relative to many. For over the last 40 years, Mr. Tello has dedicated himself to the prevention and healing of individuals, families, communities and systems by sharing culturally based teachings to over half a million people and training thousands of facilitators across the nation. Born from a…

Nelda Olvera is NCN’s Director of Operations and Planning. As part of NCN’s Senior leadership team, Nelda provides direction for all internal functions within the organization impacting organizational policies, fiscal management, and grant and resource development. She has over 24 years of experience in the administration of programs that work with underserved communities.   Nelda has supported the goals of…

Dr. Heriberto (Beto) Escamilla Morales oversees NCN’s Evaluation and Data Systems Division and has designed NCN’s research and evaluation process and instruments integrating culture based effective methodologies, processes, and tools. Prior to NCN and as a mental health consultant, he delivered direct clinical services through several community-based organizations and health centers in the San Diego area. From there he worked for Philliber…

Martha Jimenez-Ellis joins NCN as the Director of Finance. She has 35 years of experience and knowledge of accounting for non-profits, and extensive training in procedures that are in compliance with GAAP. She provides agency and grant financial reporting, audit oversight, invoicing and accounts receivable and foundation contracts, budget development, and special projects. She is committed…

Leo Lopez is NCN’s Director of Special Projects and Programs and provides leadership in the development of special projects in the area of racial equity and racial healing acting as liaison with government agencies, the community, and the public. He has over 27 years of leadership experience in child welfare, early childhood education (Head Start…

Mario Ozuna-Sánchez has over 16 years of experience developing and implementing cultural rites of passage, teen-pregnancy prevention, gang intervention, and community-violence prevention services in Santa Clara County, specializing in East San Jose. He is nationally recognized for his skills at developing and delivering culturally relevant services to reach and welcome the most marginalized youth and men…

For more than 15 years, Osvaldo Cruz, Sr. has worked with Latino male youth and young adults in the greater Los Angeles area to address issues of male responsibility, Latino male rites of passage, teen-pregnancy prevention, teen fatherhood, reproductive health, community violence, and youth leadership development. He has done so in many settings including public…

For over 25 years, Mr. Guillean has been a trainer, facilitator and administrator of nonprofit programs and services throughout California. Tony has managed a training and technical assistance program for family-strengthening organizations and networks throughout California, trained volunteers and staff of nonprofit organizations in sound management and leadership practices, directed a nationally recognized prejudice-reduction project…

Daniela Lopez-Raines has been with National Compadres Network since 2013 as executive assistant to Hector Sanchez-Flores and the executive team. She graduated from San Jose State University with a BA in US History and minors in Political Science and Economics. Daniela previously worked for a prominent law firm in Palo Alto, as well as two…

Ms. Muñiz joined NCN in 2016 as Operations Assistant Manager where she supports NCN’s operations department to strengthen our internal process for contracts, accounts payable/receivable and human resources. Mayra joined the team with a wealth of experience from both the corporate and education sectors. She has held several managerial positions from training new hires, managing a team of…

Executive Director, The Latino Commission Debra Camarillo, the daughter of Esteban Leos Camarillo and Anita Figueroa, has worked in the field of substance abuse and transformational healing for over 30 years, motivated by her personal experience of addiction and incarceration. She is a Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor and has a MA in Theology with emphasis on…

Susanna Armijo comes from a family of Mexican roots and raised incorporating traditional healing in her life. As the caretaker for her mother she learned as a young girl to use touch and massage as a way to communicate and soothe her mother’s ills. After graduating from high school, she was blessed to be invited…

Mr. Jimenez is a Fellowship Circle Keeper within NCN’s La Cultura Cura Fellowship Path 2 Services Program. He studied Psychology and Sociology at San Jose State University where he graduated in 2013. He assisted with facilitating Joven Noble Círculos in San Jose for the past 3 years and is honored to work with powerful youth…

Ms. Sepulveda is a Fellowship Circle Keeper within NCN’s La Cultura Cura Fellowship Path 2 Services Program. She graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and with a minor in Mexican American Studies. It was through her studies at San Jose State that she was introduced to Joven Noble. Since…

Miguel Ozuna is NCN’s new Communications Specialist. As part of the NCN team, he is primarily responsible for brand management and community awareness of the National Compadres Network through all forms of communication, including social media. Miguel is a graduate of NCN’s Joven Noble Program, has a passion for photography and art, and is a proud husband to…

Tanya Riddle joined our NCN family as the Evaluation Specialist. She brings with her a strong knowledge of assessment, data entry, site visits and instrument delivery. She has over fifteen years of professional experience providing services to non-profit agencies in education, social services and program evaluation. Her professional career has brought her into close collaboration with…

Francisco “Cisco” Gallardo is a Senior Grant Project Coordinator for NCN’s Healing Generations Institute (HGI). HGI promotes familial community healing and addresses persistent community strife through retreats, gatherings, and the incorporation of indigenous culturally-based practices. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Cisco devoted his life to working with Denver’s inner-city, at-risk, and/or gang-involved youth in…

Christian Jaimes is the Project Coordinator for the Comadres National Colectiva for NCN’s Women and Girls Programs. Christian is trained and certified in Xinachtli and Advanced Xinachtli: Rites of Passage Curriculum for Chicana & Latina Youth. Christian received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology and Chicana(o) Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara….

Valerie Garcia is the proud daughter of Robert Garcia and Rosie Martinez. She has served the community for the past 20 years in different capacities and has worked in various fields, including mental health, substance abuse, and education. Ms. Garcia serves as the Comadres Administrative Assistant for NCN. In addition to working on her Bachelor…

Caitlin Soriano is the Assistant Program Coordinator for NCN’s Healing Generations Institute where she assists with the development of a national framework catered to supporting traumatized and vulnerable children with a focus on families, elementary education, and community-based organizations. Ms. Soriano graduated from the University of California, Irvine as a double major studying Education Sciences…

Vanessa Reyes is NCN’s Training Team Assistant. She has had previous experience interning with a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing standard-based arts education to at-/high-risk youth throughout LA County, as well as Berkeley Law’s Death Penalty Clinic, a law practice that is engaged in direct representation of individuals facing capital punishment. She has also had…

Xitlali Jimenez is NCN’s Senior Fellow for the Young Women’s Warrior Project. As part of the team, Xitlali is responsible for co-facilitating a community group for young women in Santa Clara County. Xitlali obtained her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Human Sexuality Studies from San Francisco State University in 2017 and she is…

Adan Perez is an NCN Project Assistant and supports the efforts of NCN’s Healing Generations Institute. He is a 1st generation graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Native American/Indigenous Studies from the University of California, Riverside. He is also a graduate of National Compadres Network’s Joven Noble Círculo. Adan is a danzante and drummer,…

Evelyn Sarahi Arciniega is an Ameyalli Women and Girls’ Youth Development Specialist and supports NCN’s efforts to guide both women and girls in their healing journey and provide a space to learn and grow together. Ms. Arciniega has served the community in different capacities, including public speaking, organizing fundraising, playing music for elders, and working…