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Latino Educational Training Institute
Meet the LETI Team

Board of Directors • Junta de Directores

Rosario Reyes
Founder and President
Rosario founded LETI in 1998. She serves as president and executive director and chairs the board of directors. Originally from Peru, her background is in engineering and social service administration.

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Mel Cossette
Vice President
Email: Board@letiwa.org

Mel Cossette is the Executive Director/Principal Investigator for the National Resource Center for Materials Technology Education (MatEdU) and Project: Technician Education in Additive Manufacturing & Materials (TEAMM) funded by the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education Program housed at Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood, WA.

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Alfredo Chancco
Director
Email: Board@letiwa.org

Alfredo Chancco is originally from Lima, Peru. He is a Systems Engineer Senior for Seattle Children's Hospital. As an accomplished Systems Engineer, he enjoys using his personal and technical skills to integrate diverse technologies into complex infrastructures in collaboration with highly competent peers. One of his latest accomplishments was being instrumental in the migration of 100s of applications from one data center to another with negligible downtime

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Giselle Zapata-Garcia
Director
Email: Board@letiwa.org

Originally from Panama, Giselle has spent several decades in Washington State. With a degree in social work, she has held various positions from Health Access Specialist to Director, always ensuring that the most vulnerable are connected to resources while assisting them to navigate the complex health care system.

Giselle is devoted to ensuring that families and individuals have access to culturally and linguistically appropriate care and has more than 20 years of experience in contributing to reduce health disparities in Washington State. She has dedicated many years to educating community members how the health care system works and to be civically engaged, so that they can be empowered in taking charge of their health. Working directly with the community and developing key community partnerships has been central to the way she works.

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Janette Garcia
Director
Email: Board@letiwa.org

Janette Garcia is a Lead Social Worker at South Park Senior Center and has been there since May of 2021. Janette has helped South Park Senior Center build a wonderful Social Services team and has made partnerships with other organizations! When asked about her position at South Park Senior Center, Janette said the following, “My favorite part of this job is the chance to work alongside amazing co-workers and a wonderful clientele, and I love that there is always something new to learn."

Before that, Janette was a Social Worker at Lutheran Community Services Northwest for 11 years. Her educational background consists of a Bachelor's degree in Social Communication and Public Relations and Tourism from Universidade de São Paulo (USP) as well as a Masters of Social Work (MSW) from Eastern Washington University.

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Dr. Sally Guzman
Director
Email: Board@letiwa.org

Sally Guzmán Reyes is the Family and Community Engagement Coordinator for the Edmonds School District, where she has worked since 2014. At Edmonds School District she coordinates the district strategies, policies, and trainings around family engagement as a tool for improving student learning. Mrs. Guzmán Reyes has worked in direct service to families for over 7 years and has a vast array of experience in working with nonprofits. Her passion is working in education, fighting for equity, and leading to create antiracist systems.

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Orlando Macias
Director
Email: Board@letiwa.org

Orlando Macias is a business owner and graduated with a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from Skagit Valley College. Orlando has been in the trucking industry and the co-owner of a trucking company for over 15 years, teaching him how to be independent and punctual and how to maintain a schedule or deadline no matter what unexpected problem may present itself. Orlando is a graduate of LLI (class of 2020), and just graduated with his Associates in Engineering in 2023 and in pursuit of his Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering. Orlando currently serves on 3 different boards to better understand his communities‘ needs and help them acquire those resources. He is also currently working at Janicki as an Engineer Tech in their aerospace department.

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Anthony Gromko
Director
Email: Board@letiwa.org

WSU Ext. Snohomish County Director and Assistant Professor of Community and Economic Development.

Anthony is a community economic development professional and educator with over 20 years of experience working with communities, governments, and businesses throughout the Pacific Northwest and abroad. He brings expertise in cross-cultural engagement, economic resiliency, project/program innovation, and multi-sector partnership development. He aspires to leverage his experience and passion for triple bottom line work – economic resiliency, social change, and environmental sustainability – to strengthen the future of our communities.

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Ann Avary
Director
Email: Board@letiwa.org

Director, NW Center of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing & Technology, Skagit Valley College

Passionate Maritime Workforce practitioner. In her role as Director of the NW Center of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing & Technology (Center), she works with industry, education, labor, associations, economic and workforce development professionals, and communities throughout Washington State in support of the maritime industry. The Center leads and supports projects and initiatives developed to grow a technically competent maritime workforce, and a competitive maritime industry. Through work with state and national partners, the Center focuses on work designed to educate and train a diverse present day and future workforce, representing all communities.

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Karla Rios
Director
Email: Board@letiwa.org

Karla Rios is a passionate School Counselor at Everett Public Schools with experience serving youth by establishing relationships and providing supports and resources in academic, college and career readiness, and social and emotional development. She is talented in meeting the objectives of the counseling program by providing preventive education, advocacy, mediation, and counseling to students. Strengths in bridging cultural and socio-economic gaps among students and families through education and opportunities. Karla is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Karla's educational background consists of a Bachelors in Arts (B.A.) Political Science from Washington State University as well as a Master of Education (M.Ed.)- School Counseling from Seattle University.

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Christina Tovar-Hamernik
Director
Email: Board@letiwa.org

Government/Non-profit and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Consultant

With over five years of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy, change management, and community engagement, Christina is a passionate and skilled professional who thrives on creating positive and lasting impact for organizations and communities. Her background in law, sociology, and criminology, coupled with her credentials in web development and human resources, gives her a unique perspective and a versatile toolkit to address complex and systemic challenges.

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Advisors and Friends of LETI

Diana Morelli-Klima, Ph.D.
Director Emerita
Diana Morelli 1940-2023

With a Ph. D. in Romance Languages and Linguistics, Diana Morelli-Klima created, developed, marketed and taught programs in both Spanish and English. Diana began collaborating with LETI and its partners to create a Latino Leadership program for college students in the northwest region. Her expertise as an educator was essential to the development of the program structure and curriculum. As one of the instructors in the program she expects excellence, and students perform because they don’t want to let her down.

Diana passed away during summer 2023.

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Rees Clark, Ph.D.
Director and Vice-president Emeritus
Rees Clark's association with LETI began when founder Rosario Reyes discovered in 1999 that he spoke Spanish. He served as vice-president of LETI for a decade before retiring in 2022, He chaired the communications committee and created our original web presence in 2008. He was briefly volunteer Acting Director of LETI Vocational School and continues to advise our website editors, bringing a journalistic approach to accuracy and presentation.

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LETI Staff

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Thomas Laing III
Director of Operations
Email: Tom@letiwa.org

Tom Laing has worked for LETI since 2015. During his time, Tom’s role has continued to evolve over the years but has primarily centered around grants, fundraising, and contracts with governmental agencies. Tom joined LETI to use his 20+ years of corporate accounting and management experience to help the local community. In his time, Tom enjoys working on his greenhouse, experimenting with various sustainable and low-impact gardening methods, and restoring his old Ford truck.

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Marisol Bejarano
Director of Health and Wellness Programs
Email: Marisol@letiwa.org

Marisol Bejarano is LETI’s Director of Health and Wellness Programs for the Latino Educational Training Institute (LETI). As the first full-time employee hired over three years ago, she has worked on developing, implementing, and training incoming staff members to continue the vital work at LETI.

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Andres Koteles
R4A Coordinator | Executive Assistant
Email: Andres@letiwa.org

Along with helping coordinate administrative actions and tasks across LETI program departments, Andres is LETI’s lead case manager for Volunteer of America’s rental assistance applications and program. Andres has been working with LETI for over three (3) years, though Andres was very much involved with LETI before his employment with the organization. Andres and the rental assistance team have secured and distributed nearly $6 million in rental assistance aid for Latino residents in Snohomish County. Andres’ commitment to improving the lives of his community is shown directly through his work. Andres is motivated to ensure equitable access and prioritization of resource access to underserved community members.

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Nelly Romero
Voc. Coord | Grant Spec. | Admin Support
Email: Nelly@letiwa.org

With 13+ years at LETI, Nelly initially came as a volunteer in 2010, and has continued to work side by side with Founder and CEO, Rosario Reyes. Passionate about helping others, especially those who are both in-need and often neglected, Nelly has focused her efforts in ensuring that our community members are being equally acknowledged and served. Through the management of LETI TeVe, a program that serves as a digital bridge between Latinos and resources available to them, she aims to provide valuable information through special guests invitations. Other tasks include Marketing and Outreach for various LETI programs and projects, keeping an active engagement and communication with local Latinos, often creating a personal connection and bond with many of our clients. Additionally, as a Grant Manager, Nelly actively seeks funding opportunities that will allow LETI to continue to serve our Latino community uninterrupted.

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Yustine Saavedra
Community Engagement Specialist
Email: Yustine@letiwa.org

Yustine has worked for LETI for approximately three (3) years within various programs but primarily centered her work around the VOA rental assistance program and LETI’s Vocational School. She has now completed training to support LETI’s tax and accounting management.

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Sarina Barrett
Web Editor & Communications Specialist
Email: Sarina@letiwa.org

Sarina Barrett joined LETI in 2022 as a part of the Rental Assistance Program. Since the LETI rental assistance program is set to end in March 2023, she has now taken on a new role as LETI's website content editor, working closely with LETI's program coordinators.

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Jazmin Herrera
Latino Family Resource Navigator
Email: Jazmin@letiwa.org

Jazmin Herrera has worked with LETI since 2020 as LETI's Latino Family Resource Navigator and has reached out to over 250 families in her first 6 months supporting and navigating them to find community resources. Now, she has reached out to more than 2,000 families! Accomplishments she considers highly based on her position is helping families as they navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, especially mothers and caregivers who would contact Jazmin stressed and frustrated because of the constant changes, having their children at home while taking virtual classes; it was a real challenge for those mothers, in addition to fathers and caregivers who were docked hours or laid off. Jazmin takes pride in helping the above mentioned families find equitable resources.

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René Acevedo Rodriguez
Volunteer/Promotoras Coordinator
Email: Rene@letiwa.org

My name is Rene Acevedo Rodriguez. I was born in Huajuapan de Leon Oaxaca, Mexico. I worked previously as a Family Support Specialist with the Everett School District and have a Business Administration and Retail Associates degree from Everett Community College. I am currently providing support for adult, post-secondary students to develop leadership skills.

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Felisa Garcia
Community Outreach & Project Development
Email: Felisa@letiwa.org

Felisa is a native Zapotec inspired and driven to help the community. Since moving to Washington State more than four years ago, Felisa has worked for LETI in different positions: First as a community outreach volunteer and currently working as a Community Outreach Coordinator as well as a Program Developer and Manager for two community programs: TRIPLE C and INEA (Plazas Comunitarias). She is responsible for developing and managing community programs supporting the Spanish-speaking, first-generation, and Latino communities. She primarily works with Spanish-speaking families to overcome diverse social and systemic barriers, so she has firsthand experience of the impacts of immigration on families and their children, as well as the hardships such a family suffers. That's why she decided to work in human services to support and encourage families and their children.

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Ericka San Juan Perez
Office Assistant and Covid-19 Support
Email: Ericka@letiwa.org

Ericka has worked for LETI for approximately over a year. Ericka has been involved in different projects and programs that have allowed her to serve and help the Latino Immigrant Community. She has participated in the Covid-19 Vaccination Campaign, organizing and collaborating with other organizations to bring vaccination sites to different locations and Health Fairs. Collaborating with the DOH, Bastir, UW, and other organizations in the Health Literacy program, Ericka has been the program coordinator and staff able to distribute valuable information to our Latino-immigrant community, educating how Science and vaccines work.

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Sonia Izquierdo
Advancing Health Literacy Coordinator
Email: soniaizquierdo@letiwa.org

Sonia is a former Software Engineer that found her passion in Marketing and her purpose in working for non-profits. In the past, she's served as the Marketing and Communications Manager for other organizations and started to work with LETI in November 2023. She's currently leading the Marketing efforts at LETI, as well as coordinating the health literacy strategy with the Snohomish County partnership.

Sonia was born in Mexico and moved to the USA after graduating with a BS in Computer Science from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). She's currently working on getting her EMBA while launching a company focused on growing small businesses and organizations.

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Karina Reyes-Romero
Health Support Specialist
Email: Karina@letiwa.org

Karina Reyes-Romero, a fully bilingual/bicultural second-generation immigrant who is passionate about serving our Latino community. Born to Mexican parents, Karina understands the barriers and struggles faced by our underserved Latinos and is excited to be part of an organization that is focused on breaking these barriers. Graduate of Meadowdale High School (Class of 2023), Karina received the Edmonds School District SEAL of Biliteracy, formed part of the Honors Geometry class and Microsoft IT Academy and Child Development Courses. Currently working as a front desk support staff for LETI, Karina is able to use and improve her administrative skills.

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Samantha Avendaño
Childcare Support Specialist and Tutor
Email: samantha@letiwa.org

Samantha Avendaño has been part of our team since 2020. She started off promoting the COVID-19 vaccine with LETI and today she serves as Childcare support specialist and Tutor. Samantha is always willing to help and engage in projects with the community.

She is a resilient woman and a caring mom of 3. She loves to spend time crafting and reading and She is proud to be raised in Mexico and all Mexican traditions.

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Micaela Sarmiento
R4A Recruiter | CDO Outreach Specialist
Email: Mika@letiwa.org

Micaela Sarmiento is a Bolivian woman who embraces her identity and believes in the value of investing in service. Micaela has been a social, cultural, environmental activist for many years now and she understands that there is still plenty work to do in our communities, that there is hope and she tries to contribute giving from the best of her abilities.

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Josefina Carrillo Gamboa
Digital Health Navigator
Email: Josefina@letiwa.org

Josefina Carrillo Gamboa is part of the AHL (Advance Health Literacy) team at LETI, which is instrumental in promoting health equity, empowering individuals to make informed decisions. She conducts research and oversees the creation of educational materials designed to communicate complex health information in clear and understandable language. We establish partnerships with community organizations, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to promote health literacy initiatives beyond the company's walls.

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Lia Matias
Assistant to Marisol Bejarano
Email: lia@letiwa.org

Lia Matias currently works as an assistant to the Director of Health and Wellness, Marisol Bejarano, supporting the organization's growth and ensuring the smooth operation of health and wellness programs. Lia has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management from Seattle University, with minors in Global Business and Entrepreneurship. During her time at Seattle University, she held several roles, including Student Event Logistics Coordinator, Resident Assistant, Research Assistant, and Summer Conference Assistant Lead. In these positions, she demonstrated exceptional skills in problem resolution, project organization, scheduling, events logistics management, and customer service.

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We, the board of directors and the executive staff of LETI, reaffirm our values of inclusion, non-discrimination, and service to our clients and community members. We also reaffirm our commitment to work with, support and assist the Latino community regardless of immigration experience and status, nationality, socio-economic, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and ability. Our offices and training center are safe spaces for anyone, free from the dangers of discrimination, bigotry, hate, and other forms of abuse.