The Latinx Alliance is led by a diverse group of Latinx leaders who represent different sectors within Georgia’s business, non-profit, educational, media, and philanthropic spaces.

Steering Committee

  • Frank is a veteran Latino leader who manages one of the top 20 largest community foundations in the United States. He leverages a full range of assets—human, reputational, and financial—to pursue equity of opportunity and change-making in systems and place-based work. Frank aims to fulfill the Foundation’s mission to lead our region toward equity and shared prosperity for all.

    Before joining the Foundation, he served six years as the Senior Vice President for the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. Frank is also a recognized leader in the Lone Star state for his work in affordable housing, transportation, and economic development. He was the CEO of Green Doors, an Austin nonprofit devoted to transforming lives and neighborhoods, and a Deputy Director of PeopleFund, a community development financial institution.

    A son of Cuban immigrants, Frank is a Florida native with a B.A. in philosophy from Harvard University and an M.P.A. from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.

Frank Fernandez 

  • Juan Mejia immigrated from Colombia and grew up in Metro-Atlanta. In 2016, he founded JCM Ventures to aid entrepreneurship and scale organizations through strategy, community development, and site selection. His company is one of the few commercial real estate brokerages in Georgia owned by a Latino. The firm is proud to specialize in serving those that serve our community by representing various nonprofits and government entities. He participates in various leadership programs such as: LEAD Atlanta, ARC's Regional Leadership Institute, Hispanics in Philanthropy's Fellowship, among others. Juan has been recognized as a 50 Most Influential Latino in Georgia, 40 Under 40, 35 Under 35, and 30 Under 30 for his community leadership. As a community advocate, he works closely with community leaders in order to connect, develop, and empower organizations and individuals through community, economic, and leadership opportunities. When not volunteering or with his loved ones, Juan can be found exploring the world as travel is one of his passions. 

Juan C. Mejia

  • Jerry Gonzalez is a Latino pioneer and currently CEO of the GALEO Latino Community Development Fund & the GALEO Impact Fund. He is dedicated to driving leadership development and civic engagement within the Latino community in Georgia.

    At GALEO,  Jerry has utilized not only his extensive political experience but also his deep understanding of the struggles of the Latino community in Georgia. During his tenure with GALEO, the GALEO Institute for Leadership (GIL) program has become a flagship leadership development for Georgia's Latino and immigrant community, equipping more than 950 community members with skills to serve their communities.

    The organizations are focused on enhancing civic engagement and leadership development of the Latino community in Georgia. Through his work, Mr. Gonzalez has been recognized both nationally and within Georgia for the significant progress made by the organizations and within the Latino communities.

    Jerry’s accolades include several years of being named by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of Georgia’s 100 Most Influential Georgians. He has also been a philanthropist, serving on several boards across the Southeast region.

    Jerry is a native of Laredo, Texas, and received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1995. He completed his Master of Public Administration at the Andrew Young School of Public Policy at Georgia State University in 2005.

Jerry Gonzalez

  • Brittany is a leading community builder and activist for Georgia’s Latino and Hispanic communities. After moving back to the U.S. in 2018 due to Nicaragua’s threatening sociopolitical crisis, Brittany has devoted her efforts to supporting the immigrant and low-income communities of the Greater Athens Area. She previously served as U-Lead Athens’s Civic Engagement Coordinator and currently sits on the steering committee for the Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition. 

    Brittany is a key advocate for holistic wellness practices that promote the well-being of Latinos and currently teaches yoga at Shakti Yoga Athens. In 2024, the Athens Chamber of Commerce recognized Brittany as a 2024 Gamechanger, Top 10 Under 40.

Brittany Lopez

  • Hector Gutierrez is a proud family man, veteran, teacher and elected Councilman for the city of Forest Park (Ward 3). For the past 10 years, he’s been committed to providing leadership and training to children and adults in his community, from teaching at Unidos Dual Language School to developing positive relationships with local businesses. 

    Hector is also a committed Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. member, with a tenure spanning more than a decade. He is also a proud Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society member.

    His educational background includes a Specialist in Educational Leadership from the University of West Georgia, a Bachelor of Arts from Kennesaw State University in World History and Cultures and in Spanish Language and Literature, and a Master's in Teaching from Georgia State University.

    With skills in negotiation, media relations, relationship building, and leadership, Hector Gutierrez is committed to positively impacting the community and education system.

Hector Gutierrez

  • Misty is a proud Latina and 20+ year energy industry professional, currently leading regional operations, economic, workforce, and community development for Atlanta Gas Light Company.

    A powerhouse for leading Latinx communities, she also serves as chairwoman of the board for the Latin American Association, the chairwoman of the board for Caminar Latino, and is a member of the board for the Midtown Alliance.

    Misty was recently named as one of the 50 Most Influential Latino Leaders in Georgia. She was also recognized by the Hispanic Association of Corporate Responsibility as one of 40 high-achieving Hispanic professionals in the U.S.

Misty Fernandez

  • Daniela is a fierce advocate for immigration rights and a resilient leader for the migrant and refugee communities of South Georgia. She has organized volunteers and raised money to provide food and housing assistance to hundreds of low-income immigrant families in her community, as well as equitable access to health, education, political asylum, and financial aid.

    From student leader to thought leader, Daniela has been recognized by many renowned Georgia organizations for her tenacity and commitment to improving the lives of immigrants. In 2019, 

    Step Up Savannah awarded Daniela with the Most Outstanding Neighborhood Leader Award. Additionally, she earned recognition as one of Georgia's 50 most influential Latinas for three consecutive years: 2019, 2020, and 2021. Daniela’s personal story and dedication to promoting change inspire other students with similar backgrounds and stories. She believes that the future is female, education is a human right, and immigrants are Here To Stay.

Daniela Rodriguez

  • Stephanie Coreas is a prominent Latina community leader and entrepreneur. She is the Executive Director of Los Vecinos de Buford Highway, a local non-profit organization working to empower the Latino immigrant community of Buford Highway. Los Vecinos de Buford Highway focuses on bringing resources directly to families in apartment complexes in the community, tenant’s rights, and creating future leaders throughout the vibrant corridor. The work of Los Vecinos in the community is very near and dear to Stephanie’s heart. Buford Highway is the first place she called home after immigrating with her mother from San Salvador, El Salvador, at only four years old.

    Stephanie is also an esteemed entrepreneur. As a small business consultant, she partners with women-owned and minority-owned businesses to help with their business development and sales strategy. She has been dedicated to supplier diversity for over 10 years and empowering women in business is something she’s incredibly passionate about.Stephanie grew up in Stone Mountain, GA, and graduated from Stone Mountain High School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international business from American Intercontinental University (AIU).

    Stephanie has three young children who are her rockstars. They put up with Mommy as she tries to make the world a better place.

Stephanie Coreas

  • Bill Vega is a distinguished Latino entrepreneur and Latino leader in Georgia. He is the COO of Albany Amusement, a coin-operated amusement operator licensed through the Georgia Lottery Corporation for over a decade with operations as far north as Ohio to Florida. Bill has served on the board of the Georgia Amusement and Music Operators Association (GAMOA), the largest amusement association in the nation. As such, he works closely with several state agencies and is involved in the amusement industry policy. Bill also has extensive experience as an owner/operator in the restaurant industry for over three decades with more than 20 restaurants in Florida and Georgia over the course of his career. 

    Bill is a member of several Chambers of Commerce throughout several cities and counties. In his personal life, he is an active member of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA. A committed leader in his community, Bill leads several volunteering efforts, such as disaster relief and food distribution efforts in the Southwest Georgia communities. He also serves on various boards throughout the state and provides aid in many capacities alongside his local church.

    Born in New Jersey, Bill is the proud son of Ecuadorian immigrants. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management and supervision from Daytona State College.

Bill Vega

Nury Crawford

  • Nury Castillo Crawford has a positive track record of being a national, transformational leader in public education.  

    She is a published author of bilingual children’s books and educational leadership books focused on community empowerment through education. Her journey as an author began with her first book, 3,585 Miles to be an American Girl. A bilingual children’s book focused on the challenges and triumphs of an immigrant child.

    Nury has been recognized nationally through awards a media mediums, in both English and Spanish outlets, for her advocacy and leadership, she is a sought out national speaker in the areas of literacy, parent involvement, education, mentoring, equity, and bilingualism. She is also a proud award-winning author of numerous books and continues to present throughout the country.