As we conclude the remarkable journey of the Avanzando Liderazgo Program (ALP) '24, we are excited to present the final spotlight of the year, celebrating the standout members of our 2024 Cohort.
Every month, we have had the privilege of highlighting three exceptional leaders who are not only driving positive change but also fostering a sense of community within ALP '24.
In this special edition, we honor three inspiring Latino leaders: Aida Mejia-Fergen, Lucero Vazquez-Loyola, and Roxana Morales-Velez. Their impactful contributions and exemplary leadership have left an indelible mark on our vibrant ALP community. Join us in celebrating their achievements and the legacy of the ALP '24 Cohort.
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Meet Aida Mejia-Fergen
Born in Washington, DC and raised in rural Maryland, Aida Mejia-Fergen grew up in a Salvadoran household with her parents who came to the United States in 1982, and her 3 siblings. As a first generation Salvadoreña, Aida experienced the duality of embodying more than one culture and language on a daily basis.
In her youth, she traveled to El Salvador for months with her family and even had the opportunity to live and attend school there on two occasions while living with her grandparents. Aida attended college in the Boston area, and lived in the District of Columbia and Brooklyn, NY as a young adult, before eventually moving to Saint Paul to start a family with her husband of six years.
Currently, Aida uses her fifteen years of nonprofit and fundraising experience in her role as Senior Development Officer at Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES). Through fundraising at CLUES, Aida primarily supports programs that deliver mental health, domestic violence, sexual assault and community health services to Latinos in Minnesota. Prior to CLUES, she spent time working in Pratt Institute, St. Olaf College, the National League for Nursing and Junior Achievement of Washington, DC. Aida earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Lasell University in Massachusetts.
When she isn’t spending time with her husband and two children, Santiago (4) and baby Aida (1), she enjoys hiking, being in nature, and learning about different cultures through travel and food.
Outside of work and parenting, Aida serves on the boards of two organizations:
Conversations with Friends, an organization that provides social support to detained immigrants in the state of Minnesota.
Minnesota Milk Bank for Babies which provides human milk to medically-fragile babies during the most crucial first days and months of life.
In the past, Aida also served as a volunteer interpreter with the Advocates for Human Rights aiding new arrival immigrant families in seeking asylum, and a path to citizenship.
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Meet Lucero Vazquez-Loyola
Lucero Vazquez Loyola is a dedicated Spanish Research Coordinator committed to fostering intercultural understanding and academic support. Lucero has cultivated a rich academic foundation with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Minor in English, obtained from the University of Minnesota Morris.
Her passion for bridging cultural gaps and supporting peers led her to be a TRIO Peer Mentor, guiding and empowering fellow students through academic challenges. Lucero also took a leadership role in the Morris Intercultural Education Initiative, contributing significantly to initiatives promoting diversity and inclusivity within the academic community.
Lucero's linguistic skills and cultural sensitivity shine through her role as a certified Interpreter for her Latinx Community, where she facilitates communication and understanding, making essential resources accessible to those in need.
Driven by a desire to further research and advocate for cultural understanding, she conducted a student-led research study looking at the contributions that support systems have in the academic achievement of Latinx students in college. Afterward, she presented her findings at an undergraduate research symposium. Lucero continues to find ways to help develop resources for the future of the Latinx community.
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Meet Roxana Morales-Velez
As a Corporate Sr. Compliance Analyst , I apply my legal , compliance and communication skills to ensure the company adheres to the highest ethical standards and regulatory requirements.
I work with various stakeholders to identify, assess, and mitigate compliance risks, and to develop and implement policies, procedures, and training programs. I also monitor and report on the compliance performance and effectiveness of the company, and support the continuous improvement of the compliance culture and strategy.
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