news releases

10 February 2022

Hispanic Access Foundation Announces New Board Members



Category: News Releases

Hispanic Access Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of six new members to its board of directors. Their personal and professional experience and passion for the organization’s mission is key to paving the way for Latinos to gain access to the opportunities and resources that bring fullness of life–a healthy environment, employment, health, etc.

“Our new board members bring a wide range of knowledge and perspectives and their shared commitment to our mission,” said Maite Arce, President and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation. “Their leadership brings great strength of governance, accountability, innovation, community perspective and other elements that are important as we continue our impact while growing a healthy and sustainable national community focused organization.”

The six new board members include:

  • Crystal Diaz de Villegas, The Nature Conservancy
  • Reverend Daniel A. Cali, Baptist Church Family of God
  • John M. Carreon, Purpose HQ
  • Janelle Hartley, Verizon
  • Keila Vizcarra, U.S. Forest Service
  • Jill Wheeler, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Crystal Diaz de Villegas is the Director of Engagement and Efficiency for Chief Conservation Office at The Nature Conservancy where she provides strategic direction, program delivery, operations, and communications support for TNC’s global conservation work. This includes managing the Conservation Committee of the Global Board, the Conservation Leadership Team, and strategic communications out of the Chief Conservation Office. Previously, she was the Coral Project Team Manager and Board Liaison for the Caribbean Division of TNC where she led a strategy and partnership development, as well as various fundraising efforts, for a new coral initiative focusing on innovative conservation strategies. Before joining the Conservancy, Crystal was involved in fundraising, management, and executive search consulting for non-profit clients.

Reverend Daniel A. Cali is a native of Argentina. He is currently the senior pastor of Baptist Church Family of God in Denville, New Jersey; and co-pastor with his wife, Rev. Estela Wutzke, at North Baptist Church of Jersey City, New Jersey. He served as a member of the Hispanic Leadership Network-in the leadership development program of the Hispanic Access Foundation. He has a degree in Theology and Biblical Sciences, graduated from the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Buenos Aires and has a Master of Divinity from the FATELA Latin American Theological Faculty. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree from New York Theological Seminary.

John M. Carreon is Partner & Chief Revenue Officer with Purpose HQ. Purpose HQ was founded on one core principle: “Organizations are able to achieve optimum results when their people are aligned with the organization’s values and purpose in their work.” John’s primary responsibilities include strategic oversight of business development, organizational culture and leadership product design and implementation, executive leadership coaching, as well as working directly with organizations and their executive teams to understand and align their values, vision, and purpose to drive desired culture and outcomes. Previously John was Chief Advancement Officer for Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana. For the past 18 years, John has also served as a faculty member for the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

Janelle Hartley serves as Municipal Engagement Partner for Verizon. In her role, she supports bridging access to innovative communications and technology solutions by building a connection with the local community and municipal partners. In her role she serves as a liaison with the community, works with municipalities on the deployment of Verizon’s network, and represents the company on appeals, local planning commission or city council meetings. Previously, she served as an advisor for Southern California Edison. During her tenure, she worked on key company initiatives through advocacy and engagement strategies with community-based organizations, environmental organizations, local government, and special interest groups. Janelle is a Coro Women in Leadership alumnus. She is currently working on her Master of Public Administration (MPA) at California State University Dominguez Hills. 

Keila Vizcarra is the Visitor Services Information Assistant for the U.S. Forest Service at the Angeles Forest in Southern California. She is a graduate of California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor’s in Journalism and a minor in Spanish-language journalism. Her experience and passion for editing, design and storytelling has led her to intern at Self Help Graphics and Art, the Southern California News Group and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She also held a communications internship with the U.S. Forest Service through Hispanic Access Foundation.

Jill Wheeler is a community development and financial empowerment expert. She has extensive experience in philanthropy with an emphasis on issues of migration, economic development and civic engagement. Previously she served as Chief of Programs at Hispanic Access Foundation and as Regional Director at the Inter-American Foundation. She is a Senior Financial Program Specialist at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. She has a master’s degree in foreign service from Georgetown University and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Harvard University.

The six new members join existing board members Roberto Salazar, Armando E. Rodriguez, Mar Muñoz-Visoso, Marcela G. Garcini, Marta E. Sanchez, Ph.D., Paula Neira and Velma Montoya.

About Us

Hispanic Access Foundation connects Latinos and others with partners and opportunities to improve lives and create an equitable society.

Phone: (202) 640-4342

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


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