Board of Directors
Darlene Castillo President
Darlene Castillo, MPP (she/her/ella), currently serves as Chapter President (2026-2028) of MANA de Albuquerque, leading the organization's strategic direction, fundraising, governance, and programs that empower Latinas through education, leadership development, mentorship, and community service. She is currently serving her second elected term as Chapter President, having previously led the organization from 2022–2024 and completed the remainder of the 2024–2026 presidential term following a leadership transition. She has also served as Immediate Past President, Director of Scholarship, Secretary, and Madrinas Coordinator. Throughout her leadership, Darlene has focused on strengthening MANA de Albuquerque's long-term sustainability by expanding funding opportunities, building organizational capacity, and strategically positioning the chapter for responsible growth while remaining grounded in its mission of empowering Latinas.
Professionally, Darlene serves as a Research Scientist III at the University of New Mexico's Cradle to Career Policy Institute, where she conducts policy research focused on strengthening New Mexico's early childhood care and education workforce and advancing evidence-informed policy solutions. Her work is driven by a commitment to advancing equitable policies and systems that improve housing stability, health equity, higher education, and opportunities for disconnected youth in New Mexico. Prior to joining the Cradle to Career Policy Institute, Darlene served as a Research Associate at Levado, where she led multi-year evaluations and research initiatives on public safety, education, housing stability, and health equity.
Beyond her professional work, Darlene has held leadership positions in other organizations. She previously served as Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.'s Southwest Regional Recruitment and Retention Supervisor (RRRS), overseeing recruitment and chapter development across Southern California, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Darlene earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a Master of Public Policy from the University of New Mexico. Through both her professional work and volunteer leadership, she is committed to strengthening opportunities for New Mexico's youth, families, and BIPOC communities.
Julia Maestas Vice President of Operations
Julia Maestas, MS, PHR (she/her/ella) is a Sr. Employee Relations Specialist for Los Alamos National Laboratory. She has over 20 years experience in law, accounting, and human resources; ten of which was in the justice systems/children’s court-delinquency and dependency programming. She enjoys human resources and operations because of the ability to impact individuals and systems to better efficiencies for the people, communities and employees she serves.
Over the years, Julia has been very involved in women’s advocacy, leadership, and community engagement including serving as Director of Undergraduate Affairs for the first Latina sorority in the nation, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. Where she created and facilitated many national undergraduate and collegiate initiatives.
As Vice President of Operations, Julia oversees chapter programming and acts as a key advisor to the President, providing input on strategic decisions and organizational priorities to ensure a long-standing and sustainable chapter.
Julia was born and raised in Las Vegas, New Mexico. She earned a Master of Science in Justice Administration from San Jose State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of New Mexico. She enjoys time with her family, partner Rodney and focusing on self-care and traveling.
Jaymie Velasquez Vice President of Finance
Jaymie Velasquez (she/her/ella) has over nine years of experience in the technology sector in facilities and systems engineering, program management, project management, operations, contracts, and managing vendor partnerships.
As a 6th generation New Mexican, she takes deep pride in our region’s rich culture and heritage and is eager to contribute to MANA de Albuquerque’s commitment to empowering rising youth leaders.
Jaymie serves as the Director of Finance of the MANA de Albuquerque chapter where she supports the organization’s strategic cost initiatives to ensure that the chapter has a financially sustainable future.
Jaymie holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from New Mexico State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Linguistics with a focus in Chicano Studies.
Joseline Graves Vice President of Administration
Joseline Graves is an experienced early childhood educator and Language and Culture Coordinator committed to creating safe, inclusive, and nurturing learning environments. I specialize in supporting young multilingual learners through culturally responsive instruction, research-based English language development strategies, and individualized educational support. She has been serving our bilingual students and families in Rio Rancho for 10+ years. Her goal is to inspire a love of learning while strengthening children's critical-thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. Through collaboration with educators, families, and community members, I help students build the academic, social-emotional, and language foundations they need for kindergarten and beyond.
Beyond her professional experience, Joseline has served in several administrative leadership roles within Lambda Theta Alpha, including Regional Supervisor, Area Administrative Coordinator, and Executive Assistant to various members of the organization's Board of Directors. These leadership opportunities have strengthened her expertise in collaboration, organizational management, and executive administration while further enhancing her administrative and leadership skills.
Born and raised in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Joseline spent most of her childhood immersed in the island's vibrant culture before relocating to New Mexico. The transition brought new perspectives and a deeper appreciation for the importance of community, diversity, and inclusion. This experience inspired her passion for supporting and strengthening communities through education. In her current role, she looks forward to expanding that commitment by creating meaningful connections and opportunities that positively impact the broader community beyond the educational setting.
Erica Ramos-Valdez Director of Hermanitas
Erica Ramos-Valdez, MBA, is an HR professional and community leader with more than 25 years of experience spanning technology, telecommunications, financial services, and healthcare. Throughout her career, she has held HR consulting roles in organizations including Wells Fargo, T-Mobile, and Verizon. She is currently the HR site lead and HRBP for HP Inc located in Rio Rancho.
Erica currently serves as an Executive Sponsor for the Philanthropy and Community Service Group at HP, helping advance employee engagement, volunteerism, and community impact initiatives. She also previously reported directly to the CEO of a small healthcare company, where she structured their HR department and led efforts in their strategic operations and organizational growth.
Committed to public service, Erica served as Planning and Zoning Commissioner, Board Trustee, and Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Anthony, New Mexico, from 2013 to 2017, supporting local government initiatives and community development. She continues that commitment through her recent appointment to the Board of Directors of Mana de Albuquerque, where she will help advance the organization’s Hermanita’s Program on service, empowerment, and community advocacy.
Erica holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from UOP and undergraduate in Business Administration from NMSU. She is committed to fostering collaboration between business, government, and nonprofit organizations to drive meaningful and lasting impact. Erica holds a dual residence in the cities of Rio Rancho and Anthony NM with her husband John. Together they enjoy traveling, gardening, and spending time with their family and friends.
Asheli Fierro Director of Scholarship
Asheli Fierro, MBA (she/her/ella) is the Operations and Finance Director at Crossroads for Women, where she leads organizational operations and financial strategy to strengthen sustainability, accountability, and impact. She brings a strong background in business management and healthcare operations, with prior experience as an operations manager in gynecologic oncology. Asheli is deeply committed to mission-driven work and advancing programs that empower women and support long-term community well-being.
Asheli brings a deep commitment to education and equity to her role as Director of Scholarship on the MANA de Albuquerque Board of Directors. She is passionate about expanding access to higher education for Latinas and plays a key role in supporting the development, administration, and growth of MANA’s scholarship program. Through this work, Asheli helps advance opportunities that empower students to pursue their academic goals and long-term success.
Asheli earned both her Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration from the University of New Mexico, equipping her with a strong foundation in leadership, finance, and organizational strategy.
Rafaela Solano Director of Avanzamos
Rafaela Solano (she/her/ella) is an administrative professional with over 20 years of experience supporting executive operations, employee engagement, and community-centered programs. She currently serves as an Administrative Assistant at T-Mobile, where she manages complex workflows, leads employee recognition
efforts, and coordinates site-wide initiatives that strengthen workplace culture. Rafaela also serves as a
Wellbeing Champion, helping advance initiatives that improve employee engagement and organizational culture.
Rafaela brings a strong commitment to service and community empowerment to her role on the Director of Avanzamos with MANA de Albuquerque. With a decade of service on T-Mobile’s Community Investment Committee and experience supporting Crossroads for Women, she is dedicated to advancing culturally grounded programs that strengthen pathways for Latina leadership, education, and civic engagement.
Rafaela earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Marketing from Ashford University and is bilingual, with a passion for inclusive, community-centered spaces.
Yanires Saavedra Director of Communications
Yanires Saavedra, (she/her/ella) MPH, serves as the Director of Communications for the MANA de Albuquerque Board of Directors. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she now proudly calls New Mexico home and is passionate about empowering the Latino community through leadership, advocacy, and meaningful engagement.
Yanires is a proud first-generation graduate who earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and her Master of Public Health from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She currently serves as a Nutritionist Supervisor with the New Mexico Department of Health, supporting the federally funded Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, where she is committed to improving the health and well-being of women, infants, children, and families.
Throughout her public health career, Yanires has been dedicated to advancing health equity and expanding access to care for underserved communities. Before relocating to Albuquerque, she managed a reproductive health program focused on child and adolescent health, comprehensive health education, and connecting individuals and families with inclusive healthcare resources, including LGBTQ+ affirming services. She is passionate about creating welcoming, equitable communities where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
In addition to her professional career, Yanires has proudly served Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority, Inc. for the past decade, holding numerous leadership positions at both the local and national levels. For the past six years, she has served as the National Vice President of Expansion, leading the organization’s national growth strategy, establishing new chapters, and mentoring the next generation of Latina leaders.
As Director of Communications for MANA de Albuquerque, Yanires is honored to use her background in communications, public health, and community engagement to amplify the voices of Latinas, strengthen community partnerships, and advance MANA’s mission of empowering women through leadership development, education, mentorship, and service. She believes that representation, inclusivity, and collaboration are essential to building healthier, stronger communities and is excited to help further MANA’s impact throughout Albuquerque and beyond.
Chriselle Martinez Director of Community Relations
Doctora Chriselle Martinez (she/her/ella) has over 15 years of experience in community engagement, education, and advocacy. She is the founder of Roots to Rising Collective, an organization centered on wellness, grounding, and holistic support, and has professional experience in community development and advocacy through her work with credit unions. Chriselle also spent a decade supporting students at the University of New Mexico, deepening her commitment to access, well-being, and educational equity.
Chriselle brings a relationship-centered and wellness-informed approach to her role as Director of Community Relations for MANA de Albuquerque. She is dedicated to strengthening existing partnerships, cultivating new collaborations, and elevating MANA’s impact in the community, with a particular focus on expanding access and opportunities for Latina youth in Albuquerque.
Originally from San Fernando, California, Chriselle earned all of her degrees, including a Doctorate in Counselor Education, from the University of New Mexico. She is a professional life coach who values well-being, community philanthropy, and connection, and is a proud mother of two who enjoys yoga and spending time with loved ones.