Paola Sánchez Valdez
Interim Executive Director
Paola Sánchez Valdez is an Ecuadorian advocate and social worker who grew up in Lynchburg, VA. Her practice of embodied healing, collective liberation, and compassionate leadership is informed by her experiences being an immigrant woman in the United States. Prior to joining CJ, Paola was a Senior Program Manager for Brené Brown Research and Education Group. She holds a Bachelors in Education from UVA and a Masters of Social Work from Columbia University.
Our Board
Our Board takes time from their professional lives to help make our mission a reality because they are passionate about contributing to positive change in Charlottesville. Creciendo Juntos acknowledges Charlottesville’s problematic history that is rooted in racial inequity. Progress has been made, but there is much more work to be done. Creciendo Juntos strives to be a key participator in that work.
Mariana Araujo Herrera
Board Member
Mariana Araujo Herrera works at the intersection of storytelling, creativity and community to advance an inclusive and just society. Fueled by a background in international relations, Latinx issues and gender equity, she is passionate about dismantling systemic violence through community building. She is an avid communications strategist for social justice organizations. Mariana also worked as the program manager for the University of Virginia Health System’s Division of Outreach, where she forged partnerships with community organizations to utilize UVA’s resources for mental health programs for Latinx women, refugee populations and rural communities. She holds a BA in international relations from Roanoke College and a MA in sociocultural anthropology from George Washington University.
Sandra Aviles-Poe
Board Member
Charlottesville United for Public Education’s first Community Organizer, she leads this new nonprofit’s community outreach and engagement efforts, serving as an advocate for strengthening and fully resourcing our public schools. Sandra’s approach is informed by her experience as a mother, immigrant, and Charlottesville local, and is inspired by a passion for positive change both in education as well as the mental and social and emotional health of our youth. She is a first generation Mexican immigrant and a 2008 graduate of Monticello High School. She moved to Charlottesville with her family at the age of five and became an American citizen in 2019. Most recently Sandra worked for seven years in banking and is a mother to three children. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
Carolina Medina
Board Member
Carolina was born and raised in Mexico City and moved to Virginia at the age of 15 years old. She attended University of Lynchburg where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and French Language Studies. She is currently working as the Operations Coordinator at the Community Investment Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering small businesses for big change. She is currently leading a Spanish Speaking Business Circle as part of an initiative to work more with Latino business owners to help them grow and realize their business ideas. Carolina enjoys spending time with her family, friends, traveling and trying new recipes.
Maria Rincón
Board Chair
Maria Rincón is our recently appointed board chair and works as the Executive Assistant to the Co-Executive Director at the Highlander Research and Education Center. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Environmental Policy, and has experience in the non-profit sector working in Latin America during political and humanitarian crises, has advised Congressional Representatives on country contexts, and has worked as a Spanish interpreter for grassroots organizations.
Frank Valdez
Board Member
Frank Valdez works at the Legal Aid Justice Center as a Youth Justice Program Organizer working to support and keep together youth and families impacted by the immigration, child welfare, and youth detention systems. Originally from Houston, Texas, he graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Global Development Studies. As an undergrad, he served as the Co-President of the UVA chapter of Political Latinxs United for Movement and Action in Society (PLUMAS), and interned with the LAJC Virginia Justice Project for Farm and Immigrant Workers and the VA Youth Solidarity for Immigrant/Migrant Workers Initiative. Frank was on the original Si Se Puede steering committee and served as a mentor for the first 4 years of its existence. He now leads the planning committee and has brought in community organizations and high schools to support the initiative.