Junta for Progressive Action
JUNTA's family comprises of members of the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers. We are diverse: staff and board combined, we have representation from Argentina, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, and the United States. The following is a brief description of our staff.
Brett Dignam - President
Norma Franceschi- Vice President
Alicia Schmidt-Camacho - Secretary
Paul Nuñez- Treasurer
Anne T. Calabresi
Edward Cleary
Rafael Ramos
Angelo Reyes
Evelyn Robles-Rivas
Pierrette Silverman
Regina Winter
Don't Forget to Meet our Interns!
Sandra is originally from Texas and graduated from the University of Texas- Brownsville with a BA in Psychology. She received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Texas-Pan American. Sandra is a Board Certified Clinical Social Worker specialized in childhood mental disorders. She was also a clinical instructor for two years at the Yale Child Study Center. At JUNTA, Sandy oversees all programmatic and administrative areas.
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Laura was born in Mexico City and graduated from Yale University in 2006 with a B.A. in history. In 2005, as an undergraduate, Laura served as the 2005 co-coordinator of Dwight Hall at Yale, the university's Center for Public Service and Social Justice; coordinated Bridges, a group that teaches ESL to New Haven adults; and worked as a President's Public Service Fellow at JUNTA. Laura has also received a 2006 Seton Elm-Ivy Award and the Trumbull College Pro Bono Publico Prize for her work in the New Haven community.
Cheila is a Native of Fair Haven. She attended Wilbur Cross High School and the New Haven Adult Education Center. She began at Junta as a volunteer and quickly ascended to the positions of Energy Assistant Coordinator, Office Manager and now Program Coordinator. Prior to working at JUNTA, she was employed at Industrial Park. She is fully bilingual (English and Spanish).
Hannah graduated from Messiah College in 2005 with a B.A. in English. As an undergraduate, she spent a year studying at Oxford University, volunteered teaching English to Latinos, and received several awards for her essays and scholarship. Prior to joining Junta’s staff, Hannah interned for the international non-profit World Vision and served as the assistant for a summer school program of over 8,000 students. She comes to New Haven from northern Virginia, but has also lived in Pennsylvania, England, New Mexico, Florida, Colorado, and Wyoming. She is fully bilingual (Spanish and English).
Latrina was born and raised in New Haven. She began her career as an Editor for a custom publishing company in Norwalk, CT after graduating from Southern Connecticut State University in 2001 with a B.A. in English Literature. Latrina’s experience in non-profits includes work as a Development Associate with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and volunteering with Integrated Refugee & Immigration Services, Hill Neighborhood Corporation and Hill Neighborhood Forum. Latrina oversees all fundraising efforts at JUNTA. She will pursue a Master of Science in Public Policy in fall 2008.
Evelyn is a native New Yorker who completed her undergraduate degree at City University of New York, Queens College in 2002 where she majored in both Environmental Science and Political Science. Her work at the community level coupled with her research interests in environmental science led her to pursue studies in resource management, ecological rehabilitation and social health projects at Yale University. In May 2007, she received her master’s degree from Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies in Urban Ecology and Social Design where she was also the recipient of the Gilman Ordway Family Scholarship Award and the General Electric Environmental Scholar Award.
Ginny has over ten years of accounting and consulting experience with clients who are involved in a wide-range of business areas including architecture, professional and sports management, travel and tourism, information technology, non-profit agencies and telecommunications. In addition to extensive financial knowledge, Ginny possesses an impressive variety of skills including leadership, organizational and financial expertise. A results-oriented individual, Ginny’s attention to detail and commitment to excellence has proven invaluable in assisting client’s to reach their goals and objectives.
Administrative Assistant and Art Instructor
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The Neighborhood Place, Onsite Coordinator
Administrative Assistant
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Art Instructor
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