ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
To empower and engage Chattanooga's Latino population through advocacy, education, and inclusion.
OUR VISION
A thriving Latino community within
an inclusive Chattanooga.
OUR TEAM
STACY JOHNSON
Executive Director
Stacy has been on the La Paz team since 2004, serving as a board member prior to joining the staff as the Executive Director in 2008. After extensive travel and volunteer work in Latin America, Stacy developed a passion for working with Latino communities. Her work at La Paz encompasses all areas of the organization including operations, growth and fundraising efforts.
Jessica Cliche
Director of Community Education
& Engagement
Born in Philadelphia, Jessica grew up in Guatemala City. She moved back to the US in 2000. Formerly a Bilingual Parent Facilitator at Girls Inc, she has been with La Paz since 2009. Jessica is passionate about serving the Chattanooga Latino community. She believes in empowering others through education and in the importance of building relationships within the community. She believes in offering a safe environment for Latino women to meet and have a space to share and learn from one another, and that it is essential to connect with the community in order to learn from them and dismantle harmful stereotypes.
Vivian Lozano
Director of Social Impact
Vivian is a first generation Colombian-American, and has worked for La Paz since 2012. Vivian focuses on creating programs and initiatives that offer support, resources, and opportunities to meet community needs. She also focuses on sustaining and creating partnerships with different agencies and organizations so that they can better serve the Latinx community in Chattanooga.
Lily Sanchez
Communications & Development Manager
Lily was born to immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic and lived in the D.R. for six years. She has worked for La Paz since 2017. She has always been passionate about Latinx advocacy and empowerment and enjoys telling stories and building relationships within Chattanooga's Latino community. At La Paz, Lily serves as the Communications Manager, providing communications, marketing, and development support to the organization.
Ashley Valencia
Program & Outreach Coordinator
Ashley has been with La Paz since April 2021, previously serving as a Case Manager. Born to Colombian parents and raised in Chile, Ashley has found joy in serving the unique landscape of Chattanooga's Latinx population. She is passionate about providing resources and support for our community and bringing people together for greater impact. As Program & Outreach Coordinator, Ashley manages educational programming and outreach efforts to expand La Paz's reach.
Diana Silva
Case Manager
Diana has been with La Paz since May 2021. Born in Michoacán, MX, Diana emigrated to the US as a child. A graduate of Dalton State College with a Masters in Social Work from Barry University, Diana is passionate about seeing others empowered and is motivated by being able to change someone's life, even in just a small way.
Jesus Lopez
Office Coordinator
Jesus was born in Georgia from Mexican parents. His family is what has helped him be more intact with his Mexican/Latino heritage. With a BSW from Dalton State College, Jesus has always enjoyed helping people; he loves to communicate and to hear people's stories. His dad's stories about his youth in Mexico and his early days in the USA are his favorites. "These stories are what blossomed my passion in working with the Latino community". At La Paz, Jesus ensures that the office runs smoothly by assisting the team with logistics, administrative duties, and early client engagement.
Annie Durán Pérez
YHDP Case Manager
Originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Annie is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In her time living in Tennessee, Annie has found a great passion for the empowerment of the Latino community around her through her experience in community outreach and involvement. Under the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project grant as a Case Manager, Annie provides a myriad of services related to the assessment, education, advocacy and support for Latino youth and/or youth-headed families in our area.
Jenny Pontarelli
YHDP Navigator
Born and raised in Venezuela, Jenny is a graduate from Southern Adventist University with a degree in Social Work. She is passionate about advocacy and empowerment.
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As a Youth Homelessness Navigator, Jenny conducts navigation services and works with assigned youth and/or youth-headed families to assess their identified needs and provide referrals, education, assistance, and advocacy.
Wendy Reynoso
Student Success & Services Coordinator
Wendy was born in Guatemala and emigrated to Chattanooga as a young child. Wendy has been volunteering with La Paz since high school and served as a Social Impact intern during her time as a student at UTC, where she graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Honors College. During her time involved with La Paz she has grown passionate about the work the organization does. As Student Success & Services Coordinator, Wendy provides short-term case management services and and works with Latino college students providing support resources for success.
Vanessa Parras
Legal Access Coordinator
Of Salvadoran descent, Vanessa holds a J.D. from the University of Tennessee and is an alumna of UTC. She comes with legal and community experience, having worked with Georgia Legal Services Program and the University of Tennessee Legal Clinic. As Access Coordinator, Vanessa will work closely with legal providers, local pro-bono attorneys, and state non-profit attorneys in order to advocate for and assist in advancing youth client immigration cases in the Chattanooga area.
Daniela Durán Pérez
Communications Specialist
Born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Daniela is a current Senior at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, pursuing a degree in Communications and Spanish. Working closely with the Communications and Development Manager, Daniela ensures that the services, workshops, and events hosted by La Paz reach Chattanooga's Latinx community.
Claudia Rodríguez
Case Manager
Born and raised in Mexico City, Claudia holds a master's degree in Psychology from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Her journey began in education, teaching both in English and Spanish to students of all ages, instilling a love for language and culture. Her goal is to utilize her psychology and education background to support and empower individuals within the community.
Gary Lozano-Sterchi
Chief Good Boy
Gary is the manager of La Paz’s Welcoming Committee. He is committed to ensuring that everyone who walks in the front door is welcomed and greeted with a friendly disposition. Gary is passionate about finding sunny places to nap, playing with his toys, receiving treats and daily pets, and wearing bandanas to promote the organization.
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OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Eric Myers, Board Chair
Chattanooga Design Studio
Bilda Acuña Small, Board Vice Chair
New York Life
Carmen Quezada Hutson, Board Secretary
Partnership for Families, Children and Adults
Corinne Henderson, Board Treasurer
Henderson + Gouger, PLLC
Shadrina Booker
City of Chattanooga
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Rosite Delgado
University of Chattanooga
Jay Elliott
Kenco Group
Rick Huffines
TN River Gorge Trust
Josselyn Nielsen
North Star Boutique
Daniela Paz Peterson
Trust for Public Land
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