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Little Learners Academy
Burritos To Go
Moderator:
Ruben Ahedo
CEO, Methods Business Workshops
Ruben Ahedo spent two decades with the Federal Reserve, honing his expertise in economic
development and communications. With a solid educational foundation that includes bachelor’s
degrees in finance and marketing, as well as a Master’s in Business Administration with a focus
on Business Management from the University of Texas in El Paso, Ruben transitioned into
entrepreneurship. He has successfully launched four businesses across diverse sectors like
marketing, business consulting, transportation and logistics, and software development.
Currently, Ruben is channeling his experience into a tech startup based in Mexico, aiming to
make a significant impact in the transportation and logistics industry.
Moderator:
Jesus Zapata
Jesus Zapata is a dedicated advocate for community empowerment and social change. As the Chief Communications Officer at Project Vida, he plays a pivotal role in spearheading initiatives that improve the quality of life in our community. With a passion for connecting people with the resources they need to thrive, Jesus has been instrumental in shaping Project Vida's mission and impact. A Champion for Youth Empowerment For over five years, Jesus served as a community health worker, focusing his efforts on empowering high school and middle school students. He spearheaded a transformative positive youth development curriculum that equipped young individuals with essential life skills and resources, enabling them to make informed decisions about their future. His dedication to the next generation has left an indelible mark on the community. Jesus led a dynamic community mobilization group, inspiring community members to take ownership of their surroundings and advocate for the services and resources they needed. His ability to rally people around a common cause has made him a force for positive change in the community. A lifetime of service beyond his professional roles, Jesus has devoted years to various community services through church and youth groups. His commitment to giving back to the community has been a guiding principle throughout his life. Jesus's journey to Project Vida was driven by a desire to be part of something greater than himself, an organization that embodies the values of compassion, inclusivity, and empowerment. His ability to connect with people, coupled with his unwavering dedication, has solidified his position as a key driver of positive change
Teresa Craig
Teresa (Terry) Craig was named the Loan Officer/ Compliance Specialist for the El Paso Collaborative, an affiliate of Project VIDA on April 1, 2019. Originally from El Paso, she is a graduate of Ysleta High school and attended Colorado College where she received her BA in Sociology.
Teresa has experience in the fields of grant writing, development of social programs, public relations, auditing, small business, homeownership and economic development. She has over 30 years experience in housing management and in the administration of state and federal contracts. She has 13 years lending experience with the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).
Teresa’s former employers include TRDI where she served as the Regional Manager for the West Texas/New Mexico Region. Under the umbrella of the NISH program she employed individuals with severe disabilities who provided grounds and custodial services to the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection and General Services Administration. In New Mexico, she was responsible for providing custodial and food services to the military at Holloman Airforce Base. While with Goodwill, Teresa served as the Vice President of Contracts and the Executive Director of Let’s Go To Work Inc. There she administered local, state and federal contracts and provided employment to individuals with severe disabilities. During her tenure with Centro Salud Familiar La Fe, she served as the Executive Director of the La Fe Community Development Corporation.
Mayra G. Maldonado
Executive Director at the Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness
Mayra Maldonado serves as the Executive Director of the Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness, a research organization based at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), focusing on the U.S.-Mexico border region. Under her leadership, the Institute's research portfolio has expanded with new projects ranging from market analyses of El Paso’s broadband infrastructure, education, and regional competitiveness to economic impact studies of border matters on regional and national economies.
Prior to her tenure at the Hunt Institute, Mayra honed her expertise as an economist at the Central Bank of Mexico and Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI). Mayra holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey and a Master’s degree in Economics from New York University, earned through CONACYT and Fulbright scholarships. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Data Science at UTEP.
Roberto E. Franco, MBA
Mr. Franco has over 30 years of professional experience with emphasis in economi9c
development of communities, contract administration, developing and creating 501 3 (c) nonprofit
entities, creating and developing foundations, providing board governance and leadership,
strategic planning, development of business plans, business retention and expansion programs
for municipalities, working with banks, developers, construction contractors investors, lenders,
foundations, manufactures, negotiations, financial, retail, office, marketing, management, and
administering and developing community and economic and workforce development programs.
David Villalba
Sr. Loan Officer
Phone: 915-229-4648
Email: dvillalba@peoplefund.org
David joined the PeopleFund team in May 2020 and since has supported the El Paso Community and over 80 businesses. Before PeopleFund, David has been part of different industries with experience in behavioral health, financial planning, and management. David is bilingual and looks forward to supporting you and the El Paso Community.
Louis Castillo
Workforce Solutions Borderplex
Louis Castillo is an Industry Project Manger for the Workforce Solutions Borderplex, a public non-profit economic development board. Workforce Solutions Borderplex serves the 6-county region in Southwest Texas by connecting employers with skilled workers. He works closely with local businesses, educators, and economic development agencies, concentrating on the fields of Aerospace, Advanced Manufacturing, Defense, and Second-Chance Hiring in the Borderplex region. Mr. Castillo is a native El Pasoan, having graduated from Ysleta High School. He earned his bachelors degree in Psychology and his Masters in English Rhetoric and Writing from the Universtiy of Texas at El Paso. Mr. Castillo has completed the project management training through Google Coursera and Talent Pipeline Managment and Jobs Quality Certification through the US Chamber of Commerce. Prior to his current positon, Mr. Castillo served the County of El Paso for thirty years at the Juvenile Probation Department, where he worked exclusively in the juvenile corrections and detentions units. He is currenly pursuing a PREA Auditor Certification for Juvenile Facilities, through the Department of Justice, committed to safegaurding the sexual health of persons held in the custody.
Miriam Vazquez
Sustainability & Community Affairs Specialist, Project Vida
Sustainability and Community Affairs Specialist
Miriam Vazquez is the Sustainability and Community Affairs Specialist for Project Vida Health Center (PVHC), a Federally Qualified Health Center, under the Outreach and Wellness Program. She has been part of PVHC since 2016, and has over seven years of experience with new program development, organizational and program structure, sustainability strategies and grant writing. Miriam has supported and guided the Outreach and Wellness program in their development of new strategies, expansion, and transformation of existing initiatives. She has led the development of programs around teen pregnancy prevention and other youth services, access to services, chronic conditions and prevention strategies, and CHW workforce training and development. Miriam has secured federal, state and local grant funding for these programs to ensure their sustainability.
Jim Hoffman
James J. Hoffman, Professor, Department of Marketing, Management, and Supply Chain; Director, Center for Family and Small Business
Dr. Hoffman is professor in the Department of Marketing, Management, and Supply Chain in the Woody L. Hunt College of Business. He is also the Director for the College’s Center for Family and Small Business. Dr. Hoffman grew up around his family’s business. He has also worked in and done consulting for several family and small businesses. Additionally, Dr. Hoffman is certified in business valuation and a certified mediator. His research focuses on family businesses, entrepreneurship, business strategy, and operations management.
He obtained a doctoral and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a bachelor's degree in science from Nebraska Wesleyan University. Previous administration appointments include Dean of the College of Business at New Mexico State University, and Associate Dean for the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University. While serving on the faculty at Florida State University, Dr. Hoffman received two University Award for Excellence in Teaching. He is a member of the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) and is co-editor of the Journal of Business Valuation and Economic Loss Analysis.
Andrea Hutchins
Andrea Hutchins – Bio - Andrea Hutchins is the first-ever female CEO of the El Paso Chamber. Established in 1899, the chamber is one of the region’s largest and most influential business groups. Most recently, Andrea served as the Chief Operating Officer at Thomas P. Miller & Associates – a consulting firm that has conducted numerous national, statewide, regional and local economic, workforce, education and community development strategies and plans under her direction.
She met her husband, Micah, in her hometown of Leavenworth, Kansas. As a military spouse she has become adept in creating a mobile career with roles that range from inside the walls of the Pentagon to the halls of the U.S. Chamber. At the heart of all of her work – community. Andrea is an avid volunteer and has dedicated her career to positions which benefit her community.
Bill Schlesinger
CEO,Project Vida
Bill Schlesinger
Chief Executive Officer Project Vida Health Center Co-Director, Project Vida
CEO, Federally Qualified Health Center serving 10,000 registered low income individuals in two counties (urban and rural). Coordinated annual community needs assessment process through Community Congress in multiple community sites. Developed and secured funding for community programs in economic development, health care, education, housing, and gang prevention. Secured Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) status for Project Vida Health Center, and Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) status for PVCDC. Developed VISTA projects, AmeriCorps project, and Maternal and Child Health Community Integrated Service System programs. Developed Community School partnership with El Paso Independent School District. Secured funding and coordinated construction and management of over 350 units in multiple apartment buildings for low income families including HUD and Low Income Housing Tax Credit funded projects. Developed collaborative relationships with Microsoft, City/County Health District, private and public hospitals, County Medical Society, Emergence Health Network, Community Development Block Grant applicants, GECU and Mountain Star Federal Credit Unions, LiftFund and others. Founded Community Voices: El Paso as Kellogg-funded indigent care coverage program that became Health Care Options, a permanent program of El Paso County Hospital District. Developed microenterprise economic development expansion project as first successfully funded Economic Development project by City of El Paso’s Community Development Block Grant program, serving over 1,200 microenterprises Oversaw Neighborhood Revitalization Service Area program for Chamizal Neighborhood. Secured HRSA funding for new administrative and clinic facilities including community center space. Developed Integrated Behavioral Health program for mental health in primary care setting funded initially by Hogg Foundation for Mental Health and then by competitively secured service expansion funds from HRSA. Oversaw distribution of 34 Payroll Protection Program to microenterprises previously excluded from the program; all loans have been forgiven.
Cindy Ramos
Chief Executive Officer El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Cindy Ramos-Davidson has been the Chief Executive Officer of the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for the past 23 years. Ramos-Davidson is a bold and dynamic executive leader who has taken the organization she manages to astounding new heights. Her encouraging and empowering leadership reflects on the vast variety of achievements and recognitions she has received throughout her 44-year chamber career.
Rachel V. Quintanilla
LMSW – Chief Behavioral Health Officer
Rachel first came to Project Vida in 1992 as an Americorps Volunteer. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from University of Texas at El Paso in 1997 and Masters in Social Work from New Mexico State University in 1999. Shortly after, while on staff as a counselor at Family Service of El Paso, much of her concentration was dedicated to providing counseling in the schools, working with LGBT, Young fathers, doing crisis intervention; grief counseling, and working with domestic violence victims to include all victims of crime; She advocated for abused and neglected children as a CASA volunteer and trained other volunteers, and was part of El Paso’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). Because of her extensive experience working with individuals and families under extreme trauma and stress, after the 9/11/2001 attack on the Pentagon, she was asked to go to Northern Virginia to assist those affected by the attack on the Pentagon under FEMA’s “Project Resilience”. Upon her return to El Paso, she was called to work as a Parenting Coordinator with the 388th Judicial District Court assisting with high conflict divorce and custody cases until 2006 when she returned to Project Vida to initiate Integrated Health Care in the Primary Care setting where she now serves as Chief Behavioral Health Officer. Rachel dedicates much of her time and efforts to bringing community awareness to social issues that threaten the well-being of individuals and families in our community. At the top of many hobbies are traveling and getting lost, baking, cake decorating and enjoying time with her children, grandchildren and her Golden Doodle Prince Harry.
Mayra Mendoza
Mayra Mendoza, MPH, is a Chronic Care Quality Manager and Deputy of the Wellness and Prevention Department at Project Vida Health Center (PVHC) in El Paso, Texas. For 15 years, Mayra has overseen diabetes programs where for the last 8 years she has served as Project Manager and Master Lifestyle Coach Trainer for Project Vida's Diabetes Prevention Program a National Lifestyle Change Program for the CDC and the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES). The Mayra’s responsibility is to implement and oversee evidence-based programs conducted by CHWs with direct interventions with the community under local, state and federal funding. The interventions implemented includes community outreach, weekly self-management and prevention education sessions for adults, psycho-social support groups, physical activity and care coordination. Mayra is a Certified Community Health Worker, Certified Holistic Nutrition Coach, Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Zumba Instructor, Folkloric Dance Teacher and Professional Singer. Mayra received her Master's Degree in Public Health from New Mexico State University (NMSU) in 2022 and has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).
Maribel Miranda
Maribel Miranda has been actively serving the underserved community since 2006, driven by her passion to address injustices she witnessed on a daily basis. Born and raised in Juarez, Mexico, Mrs. Miranda attended Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez, where she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Law. After graduating, she worked for two years at the Attorney General's Office of Mexico.
At the age of 20, Maribel Miranda relocated to El Paso, Texas. Determined to further her education, she attended El Paso Community College to learn English as a second language (ESL). While studying, she worked at the Texas A&M Colonias Program and the Cancer and Chronic Disease Consortium as a Community Outreach Worker, reigniting her passion for advocacy. In this role, she worked closely with families and individuals in colonias, advocating for their needs and connecting them with essential services. Maribel continued her education, earning an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice from El Paso Community College and later a Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at El Paso.
Maribel's career with Project Vida began in 2009 as a Community Outreach Worker/Promotora, where her daily activities focused on bridging the gap between the diverse populations served and the healthcare system, educating and raising awareness to improve community health. Eight months later, she transitioned to the Homeless Prevention and Recovery Program as a case manager for individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. For six years, Miranda served as a homeless advocate and negotiator, assisting families and individuals in maintaining permanent housing. In 2015, she was promoted to Supervisor for the Homeless Prevention and Recovery Program, a position she holds to this day.
Irma Avila
Irma Avila, Property Supervisor
Join Project Vida as the first AmeriCorps Volunteer group that Project Vida had in service. Having the experience in real estate and mortgage banking. She came to Project Vida to start the first affordable housing complex. She over saw the construction of the first complex with eight units of three bedrooms and 1 3/4 baths. She helped Project Vida grow to 18 complexes with 265 rental units consisting of one, two and three bedrooms. Most of the affordable housing units were built by securing funds with HUD Home Funds channeled through the City of El Paso. She then started a project in the Northeast with TDHCA funds. This project which is a Low-Income Tax Credit has nine quadruplexes and a community room. She worked with El Paso Collaborative to participate in the Neighbor Stabilization Program where 15 foreclosed homes were purchased and rehabbed for low income families. She managed 18 homes that were owned by EPC and now have been acquired by Project Vida. With the funds from the NSP rental she has worked on purchasing nine additional foreclosed homes, remodeled and rented to families with low to moderate income.