2026 Panelist Bios 

Session| Iowa LULAC Council Panel - 'Best Practices'

Tim Garcia: Has been a member of Council 10 since 2010 and before that a periodic member since 1976. On April 6 of this year, he began his second term as president. He has also served on the Council 10 scholarship selection committee since 2022. Tim’s current priorities as president include voter engagement, supporting targeted Title 1 schools in the Davenport Community School District, enhancing fundraising capabilities, consistently promoting the LULAC brand, and facilitating membership involvement. Tim firmly believes that anything accomplished by Council 10 now and in the future is a direct result of the vision of previous leaders of this organization.

Alma Puga: She was born in Guanajuato, Mexico. She is a first-generation college graduate, a DACA recipient, and a proud Latina. In 2019, Alma co-founded and became the President of LULAC Denison. She also serves as the Deputy State Director for Iowa LULAC. Along with her work with LULAC, she serves as a board member for the Western lowa Journalism Foundation. She is currently the Campus Services Coordinator at Western Iowa Tech Community College. In her role, she supports students through academic advising and financial aid assistance. She earned her Master's degree in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development from the University of Northern lowa

Araceli Vasquez, CMA, RA, and CNA: She was born and raised in Josefino de Allende, Jalisco, Mexico, and moved to Columbus Junction, Iowa, in 2000. She brings a rich blend of cultural heritage, professional training, and deep community commitment to every role she serves. Araceli holds a degree in fashion design and is certified in oil painting, ceramic painting, cooking and baking, crochet, and grant writing. With more than ten years of experience in the healthcare field and six years of bilingual and advocacy service with LULAC Council 10, Araceli has become a trusted and respected advocate for Hispanic and immigrant families across Iowa. She served five years with AmeriCorps RefugeeRISE as a translator and community liaison, and she continues her outreach work as a program coordinator and family engagement specialist with Iowa State University Extension. Araceli is the President of LULAC Council 317 in Columbus Junction and the Iowa State Deputy Director for the Elderly. She also serves as the DEI Democratic Chair for her region. As co-founder of the LULAC 317 Food Pantry and the Golden Lotería program, she has helped build culturally responsive initiatives that strengthen families, celebrate Hispanic identity, and address food insecurity. Her mission is to help individuals achieve meaningful outcomes in their lives by ensuring their needs remain a top priority. In recognition of her dedication, she was named Community Advocate of the Year in 2023.

Paulina Ocegueda Gomez: She is the current Vice President of LULAC Ottumwa, where she works to advocate for civil rights, community empowerment, and opportunities for Latino families in the Ottumwa area. As the proud daughter of Mexican immigrant parents, her upbringing has deeply shaped her passion for service, equity, and uplifting immigrant communities. She is also a member of the Ottumwa Human Rights Commission, where she helps support initiatives that promote inclusion, fairness, and equal access for all residents. Through her involvement in community events and organizations, she continues to create spaces where immigrant voices are heard, valued, and celebrated. Professionally, she works for Pella Corporation in Human Resources Talent Acquisition, where she focuses on connecting talent with opportunity and helping build strong, diverse workplaces. She is also the founder of Archivos del Pueblo Podcast, a platform dedicated to preserving stories, honoring culture, and amplifying the experiences, resilience, and contributions of the Latino community

Session | Education: Centering Students

John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas, PhD, MSW, SHRM-SCP: He is a nationally recognized civil and human rights public scholar, speaker, and equity strategist whose scholarship explores resistance to organizational Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA)—with a particular focus on the current “War on Woke” and the future of equity efforts in America. He currently serves as Executive Director of Hawaii Children’s Action Network (HCAN), the state’s flagship research and policy center for children and youth, with a special focus on native Hawaiian youth. Previously, Dr. Chaisson-Cardenas was Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Connecticut State Community College, the seventh largest community college system in the nation. His leadership spans multiple sectors, including serving as State Director of Equity and Civil Rights for Washington's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, where he oversaw 295 school districts; National Civil Rights Fellow at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Public Policy Lead at the Northwest Area Foundation; and National Training and Technical Assistance Director at the University of Iowa’s National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice. Dr. Chaisson-Cardenas has led multistate and multinational research and evaluation initiatives, bringing a systems-level lens to equity and democracy

Analaura Osorio, M.A.: She teaches 2nd grade students in the Iowa City Community School District. In addition to classroom teaching, she leads the elementary school’s student support and success team and the outdoor classroom and garden team. Analaura holds a master’s degree from the University of Iowa in Teaching, Leadership, and Cultural Competency. Her work is grounded in a commitment to inclusive, culturally responsive education and fostering supportive learning environments for all students. She is also the founder of Iowa Latine Educators, a space for Cariño, Corazón, and Comunidad for educators. Through her classroom practice and community engagement, she is dedicated to empowering students and strengthening communities of educators.

Rene Rocha, Ph.D.: He is a Professor of Political Science and Latina/o/x Studies and a leading scholar of race, ethnicity, and politics in the United States.  His primary areas of specialization are immigration policy and voting rights. He also holds the Herman J. and Eileen S. Schmidt Chair.  He has published articles in several peer-reviewed outlets, including Journal of Politics, Political Research Quarterly, Social Science Quarterly, Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics, Policy Studies Journal, American Politics Research, State Politics & Policy Quarterly, Urban Affairs Review, Politics Groups & Identities, Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, and Review of Policy Research.  His work has received awards from the American Political Science Association, the Midwest Political Science Association, the Western Political Science Association, and the Southwestern Political Science Association.

Sara Nunez, MSW: She is a school social worker at the Iowa City Community School District who earned her Master of Social Work degree from Washington University in St. Louis. A Fulbright Scholar, she spent a year in Mexico gaining international experience and deepening her commitment to culturally responsive education. She supports students and families through school-based services, using her Spanish skills to help bridge communication gaps and address barriers they face. Sarah is passionate about equity in education and empowering students to thrive across cultures and communities.

Workshop | U of I Collegiate - "Embracing Heritage" 

Linda Pineda Lopez: She is a second-year student majoring in Human Resources Management and Finance, also working towards an International Business Certificate. She serves as the current President for LULAC Collegiate Council #373 at the University of Iowa and is the incoming Secretary for the 26-27 academic year. She also serves as a BizEdge Mentor, Iowa Edge Peer Leader, and Upward Bound Tutor. She leads campus efforts to advance Latino student empowerment, civic engagement, and community advocacy

Veronica Ramirez: She is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Iowa majoring in Global Health Studies while pursuing a Pre-Occupational Therapy track. She is employed as an anatomy and physiology teaching assistant, private tutor, and Upward Bound tutor. She currently serves as the Event Coordinator for LULAC Collegiate Council #373 where she works to bring engaging events to Latino students and is an incoming Co-President for the 26-27 academic year. She is passionate about bringing Latino voices to the table and serving the nonprofit sector.

Stephanie Cordova: She is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Iowa majoring in Human Physiology with a Spanish minor while pursuing a Pre-Physician Assistant track. She is currently employed by the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics as a Patient Care Technician and volunteers for the UI Mobile Clinic and the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic as a Spanish interpreter. She currently serves as Membership Chair for LULAC Collegiate Council #373 where she works to promote engagement and advocacy among Latino students and is an incoming Co-President for the 26-27 academic year. She is passionate about advancing Latino student success and is committed to fostering a more inclusive and diverse healthcare system.

David Hernandez: He is a first‑year student at the University of Iowa pursuing a Bachelor’s in Marketing. He is a member of LULAC Collegiate Council 373, where he serves as the Graphic Designer, and is also involved in BizEdge, Iowa Edge, First‑Gen Hawks, and Intramural Sports. David is passionate about building a career in marketing that allows him to be creative and make a meaningful impact. Through his studies and design work, David hopes to uplift the Latino community by using his skills to advocate, communicate, and reach as many people as possible

Session | 'The Anatomy of Your Leadership'

Alfred Ramirez: Mr. Ramirez is a keynote speaker, trainer, and coach for organizations, businesses, government, grades K-12, and higher education. He develops & facilitates leadership, diversity, and culture change programs. Previous positions include: college admissions officer; mayor’s special assistant; corporate vice president; human resource specialist; and foundation initiative director. He has also been a Clinton White House senior official, diversity executive, and Hispanic chamber of commerce president. He was a National Urban Fellow, a Hispanic Business Magazine's 100 Influential, and a Des Moines Register Newspaper’s Top Influential. In New York, he was an undergraduate double-major in Political Science and Urban Studies at Columbia University, and a Public Administration graduate student at Baruch College. From East L.A., California, he’s now in East Moline, Illinois and a LULAC Council 10, Davenport member. www.diversestrategiesnow.com

Session | Strengthening Communities Panel

Rob Barron: He is an optimist, a public service romantic, and someone who has trouble saying "no" to serving his community. He was elected to the Des Moines City Council in November 2025 after serving eight years on the Des Moines Public School Board. He was the first Latino elected to either office and believes in bringing new voices to positions of influence. Since 2021 he has served as the Executive Director of Seed Coalition, a network of colleges and universities focused on civic engagement and equitable campus-community partnerships.

Nick Salazar: Born and raised in Muscatine, Iowa, Nick is a community leader, public health researcher, and small business owner. He is the founder of Salazar Consulting Group, where he works with organizations on community-engaged research, public health initiatives, and narrative storytelling that uplifts community voices. He previously served as President of the Muscatine LULAC Council and as LULAC Iowa State Director, helping strengthen civic participation and leadership across Latino communities in Iowa. His work also bridges community leadership and public health. Nick is a co-investigator for the Iowa Vital Voices Project and he was named a 2025 Public Health Hero by the University of Iowa College of Public Health. He is also currently publishing community-engaged research in the Journal of Participatory Research Methods.

Dana Dominguez: She is a West Liberty native, serving in her second term on Iowa’s first Latino-majority city council in West Liberty. She strives to address local issues through creating inclusive, community-driven solutions.Dominguez is a member of several local and national organizations that work to advance policies and introduce solutions to protect and serve vulnerable populations living across the nation. As one of only thirteen members of the Immigrant Justice Steering Committee through Local Progress’ national organization, she works alongside elected officials from major cities like Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, and Portland, and is an important voice to ensure representation is present for the nation’s rural communities. Dominguez also serves as the Deputy Director of Publicity for LULAC Iowa and is a member of local LULAC Council 310. Additionally, Dominguez co-leads the Al Exito program in West Liberty and works full-time as the Assistant Director for the UI’s Women’s Resource & Action Center on the University of Iowa campus

Adam Zabner: Representative Adam Zabner has served in the Iowa legislature for four years. The son of immigrants from Venezuela, Adam was born and raised in Iowa City. Adam has worked as a medical interpreter and has organized Latino voter registration drives in Johnson County. In 2021 he worked on the campaign of Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, organizing spanish language outreach to engage the Latino community.

4H: A DEI Love Story

John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas, PhD, MSW, SHRM-SCP: His latest book, 4-H: A DEI Love Story—How Positive Youth Development Became a Battleground for Democracy, blends Maya spirituality with contemporary DEI practice. Rooted in interconnectedness, reciprocity, and cosmic balance, the book challenges institutional frameworks that privilege performance over action and tradition over inclusion. It offers courageous, practical strategies to confront backlash against DEIA while affirming the core values of a pluralistic democracy. At its heart, 4-H: A DEI Love Story is both a love letter to youth work and a handbook for practicing it with tenderness and courage. Dr. Chaisson-Cardenas reminds us that when programs center belonging, they empower young people to discover who they are, what they can achieve together, and how democracy feels when it is lived—not merely debated.