Our Team of Six
Committed to Advancing the Future of Silicon Valley Latinos
President and CEO
Ron Gonzales
Served as Mayor of San José, the Capital of Silicon Valley and the nation’s 10th largest city from 1999-2006. Ron's achievements as Mayor included nationally recognized initiatives for strong neighborhoods, improved public education, and effective solutions to affordable housing and regional transportation projects. Mayor Gonzales may be best known for championing the extension of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to San Jose and Silicon Valley. So much so, that former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown nicknamed him “Mayor BART”. Prior to serving as Mayor of San José, he served for eight years (1989-1996) on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and was a two-time mayor and member of the Sunnyvale City Council (1979-87). Gonzales is Founder, Chairman and CEO of Presencia, LLC which provides marketing and sales consulting services. Additionally, Gonzales worked as an executive with the Hewlett-Packard Company, in the areas of marketing, human resources, and corporate philanthropy.
He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Notre Dame de Namur University, Board of Directors for Save The Bay, Vice Chair of the Silicon Valley Capital Club Board of Governors, Board Chair for SV@Home, and Board Member of KIPP Bay Area Public Charter Schools. He is married to Guisselle Nuñez, marketing professional and author, and they live in San Jose’s North Willow Glen neighborhood.
(408) 216-7643
Chief Development Officer
Clara Roa
Clara has over 10 years of experience in nonprofit management and fundraising with a strong track record that includes major gifts, corporate and foundation giving. Previously, Roa served as Major Gift Officer at Life Moves, formerly Inn Vision Shelter Network. Roa received her Master’s in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Policy at New York University. Originally from Colombia, her early career includes stints as an educator and working for a global risk management consulting firm.
(408) 638-7302
Executive Assistant and Office Manager
Margarita DeAvila
Margarita works closely with the CEO in taking care of day to day operations relating to finances and program management. Furthermore, she helps prepare and coordinate the Latino Board Leadership Academy (LBLA) and the annual Hispanic Foundation Ball (HFB).
(408) 216-7612
Marketing and Communications Manager
Raul Ceja
Raul is a strategist, storyteller, and designer who thrives in community engagement. He obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of California- Riverside in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. During his undergrad, he studied Global Emerging Markets at Fudan University in Shanghai, China. Previously, he’s worked at the Community Foundation for San Benito County as a Digital Media Specialist. Raul is a San Benito County native.
(831) 673-1156
Director, Programs
Lisa Anna Dominguez
Lisa organizes the operation of all education initiatives including Latinos in Technology Scholarship, STEM Programming, Parent Engagement, and the Family College Success Center located in East San Jose. Lisa was previously Program Outreach Manager at Scout from the University of California. As a first-generation graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz where she majored in Politics with an emphasis in Political Theory she looks forward to completing her MBA at the University of the People. Dominguez is a Board Member for the Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley and Amigos De Guadalupe. Additionally, she is a Senior Fellow Graduate from the Latino Board Leadership Academy Class IX. In her spare time, she is also an avid photographer and dance instructor, teaching lyrical, jazz technique styles to all ages.
(408) 320-4612
Program Associate
Melissa Canela
Melissa is a first generation Latina college student who was born and raised in East San Jose. She graduated with her BA in Sociology with an emphasis in education from the University of San Francisco and is currently pursuing her Masters degree at San Jose State University. Melissa has worked with East San Jose families for the past four years. She is passionate about serving the community and supporting student-family empowerment through various educational services and programs. As Programs Associate, she oversees and organizes various programs within San Jose schools such as Girls Who Code, Springboard Collaborative, Elevate Math, and Quetzal Mama. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys watching SF Giants baseball alongside her family.
408-380-4086.
Intern (Santa Clara University)
Erick Barrientos
Erick is a Senior studying Accounting at Santa Clara University. Through the Leavey School of Business Community Fellows Program, Erick is serving as a Program Intern for the Family College Success Center. Having served as an Orientation Leader at Santa Clara, Erick has a passion for helping & assisting others in regards to transitioning into new environments. Erick is a Bay-Area native and is excited for his work at HFSV for the upcoming year.