Our Team
Gianella Romero, also known as Ginny, is a first generation Mexican-American native to Hickory, NC. She is a strong administrative professional with a passion of advocacy and leadership who has obtained her Bachelor’s degree at Winston-Salem State University followed by her Master of Business Administration at Lenoir-Rhyne University. She is our current part-time Executive Director who is also an alum of Centro Latino. She believes that strong communities are built through education, support, unity and innovation.
Michel Perez, was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, where she began studying Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Safety Engineering. In 2018 she moved to Peru where she lived for four years and studied English online at ICPNA aiming to build connections and contribute to the well-being of local communities. In 2021, she decided to move to North Carolina in search of new opportunities to settle down. Michel is passionate about supporting the Hispanic community and is delighted to welcome and help those in need.
Victoria Morales, is from Chile but has been in the USA for almost 20 years. She is a Forestry Engineer with a Master of Science in Environmental Management, an oil paint artist, and a Spanish interpreter among several other things. She lived in High Point for 14 years and now resides in Hickory, places where she has always cultivated her passion for helping others. She has actively worked with Cub Scouts of America, interpreting, teaching Spanish, and participating in local artist events. She believes in making a difference and spreading knowledge about Latin heritage through culture, education, and actions. Victoria is our current part-time Program Director for Abriendo Puertas. Different cultures, points of view, and opinions can create synergies that will end up enriching and benefiting entire communities.
Yesenia Lagos Goble, was born in Nicaragua then moved to New Orleans, Louisiana for middle school and high school. Upon graduation, for the next thirty years, she moved to Guatemala where she attended and graduated from the University of San Carlos de Guatemala Achieving both her Medical Doctor and Doctorate of Anesthesiology and practiced for twenty years.
In 2017, she moved back to the United States where she worked as an interpreter in medical clinics. Yesenia enjoys helping the Hispanic community and especially being an interpreter. She believes in working together for the benefit of children's education while making a positive difference in the community which is rewarding for both the children, children's family and herself.
Soraya Valdez Place, was born and raised in El Salvador. She immigrated to the United States in 2004 and got a Master’s Degree in Arts at North Carolina State University. Soraya moved to Hickory in 2015 after returning from Panama where she served as a Peace Corps volunteer with her husband for 3 years. She has been a Spanish Professor at Lenoir-Rhyne University since January 2015 and also works as a Family Liaison with a program called Juntos. As a forever ESL student, Soraya is very committed to making extra efforts to assist at-risk students and their families to stay on track in their educational, personal, and community goals.
Get to Know Us
Volunteer Technology & Cybersecurity Specialist
Thomas Hill, a native of Hickory, has a passion for technology and Cybersecurity. He works at a local government as their cybersecurity analyst while also teaching Cybersecurity for Montreat College. In his free time, he enjoys assisting and helping others with technology related issues. He does this through his business, J3 Consulting. Volunteer work has been a part of his life since the beginning and this continues through the proud support he gives to Centro Latino.
Board of Directors
Board Chair
JoAnn
Spees
Secretary
Karely
Chavez
Martha
Carillo
Yocelyn Almanza
Angela
Simmons
Tracy
Wilson
Ellie
Wilson