Board of Directors
Darlene Castillo President
Darlene Castillo, MPP (she/her/ella) is the Founder of Raíces y Alas Consulting, where she leads equity-centered evaluation and research projects that help organizations deepen their impact across education, housing, and community well-being. She specializes in mixed-methods evaluation, culturally responsive research design, and translating complex data into clear, actionable insights. Before launching Raíces y Alas, Darlene served as a Research Associate at Levado and a Research Scientist at UNM’s Cradle to Career Policy Institute, where she led multi-year evaluations on public safety, early childhood education, and health equity initiatives. Darlene has served on other leadership boards such as Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc.’s Southwest Regional Recruitment and Retention Supervisor (RRRS). As RRRS, Darlene oversaw the recruitment of new members for the Southern California, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico chapters.
Darlene has served in numerous roles within MANA de Albuquerque. She previously held the position of Scholarship Director, where she led MANA’s scholarship fundraising efforts, annual banquet, application process, and higher education programming. Darlene also served as MANA de Albuquerque’s immediate past Chapter President and previously held the roles of Secretary and Madrinas Coordinator.
Darlene received her BS in Chemistry, BA in Psychology, and Master of Public Policy from the University of New Mexico.
Julia Maestas Vice President of Operations
Julia Maestas, MS, PHR (she/her/ella) is a Sr. Talent Acquisition Recruiter for Operations at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Over the past 21 years, she has worked in law, accounting, and human resources; ten of which was in the justice systems/children’s court-delinquency and dependency programming. She enjoys talent acquisition because of the ability to impact new employee opportunities and to provide a gateway for them to apply their diverse background and inclusive value in the organization.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.​
Marcela Mendoza Vice President of Administration
Marcela (she/her/ella) is an emerging community relations professional with a strong background in communications, multi-sector engagement, and programming. Currently, Marcela serves as the Special Programs Coordinator at WESST, a nonprofit that has supported New Mexico’s economic growth through small business development since 1988. In this role, she plays a key part in advancing state-wide programs aimed at fostering entrepreneurial success.
Beyond her professional work, Marcela is deeply committed to civic engagement and personal growth. She actively volunteers and mentors through various organizations, including serving as a board member for Young Professionals of Albuquerque and as the Vice President of Administration for MANA de Albuquerque. With her experience in strategic planning, programming, and organizational management, Marcela is dedicated to furthering the mission of MANA and advancing the Albuquerque chapter's initiatives to empower and support Latina leaders in the community.
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Marcela, a first-generation Mexican-American, is a proud alumna of the University of New Mexico, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Communications.
Monica Nuñez Director of Hermanitas
Monica Nuñez, M.Ed (she/her/ella) has a long history of working in the educational field, and currently manages the teacher evaluation system at the State of New Mexico Public Education Department. Formerly the Albuquerque Public Schools Accountability Support Coordinator, Monica champions a fundamental belief that it takes a family to educate a child. By opening doors and including all family members to join the workshops, conversations, and relationships that emerge, she creates an atmosphere of inclusiveness and connectedness.
Monica has served as the Hermanitas Director since 2019. In this role, she primarily facilitates MANA’s mission of empowering Latinas through education, leadership development, community service, and advocacy. She is motivated in her advocacy and service to the Hermanitas Program, and tirelessly champions a culture of education in which academic persistence will characterize every Latina’s experience.
Monica is originally from San Bernardino, CA. She received her Master of Education from the University of Arkansas and her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California - San Bernardino. As a proud mother of two fantastic adult children, Sophia and Michael, she understands the positive impact that community based organizations make on a young person’s life. Monica prioritizes building relationships and support systems for New Mexico’s youth.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Olivia Padilla Director of Communications
Olivia Padilla, MBA (she/her/ella) is the Constituent Services Liaison for Santa Fe County Commissioner Lisa Cacari Stone (District 2), where she supports policy development and works to improve the quality of life for constituents by addressing community needs. She brings a strong background in legislative affairs, communications, and public service, with prior experience in the New Mexico State Legislature and the United States Senate in Washington, DC. Olivia also previously served as a Contract Specialist with the Air Force Research Laboratory, supporting the operational needs of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, and has private-sector experience as a publicist for a boutique public relations firm in Los Angeles, representing top restaurants and chefs.
Olivia leverages her marketing and communications expertise in her role as Communications Coordinator for MANA de Albuquerque, where she oversees the chapter’s traditional and digital marketing strategies to support recruitment, retention, and community outreach efforts.
A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Olivia holds a Master of Business Administration in Advanced Strategy and Leadership from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and English from the University of New Mexico.
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.
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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.
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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.