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

Jessica was born in Philadelphia but moved to Guatemala when she was four. She is the daughter of a Guatemalan father and a Salvadorian mother, and grew up in Guatemala City. She moved back to the US in June of 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 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

Case Manager

Ashley has been with La Paz since April 2021. Born to Colombian parents and raised in Chile, Ashley is invigorated to learn about and serve the unique landscape of Chattanooga's Latinx population. As a bilingual case manager, Ashley serves our community in vital ways, including advocating for them and connecting them to essential resources in our city.

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 Torres

Administrative Coordinator

Jesus was born to parents originally from Guanajuato, Mexico and grew up in Georgia. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. He is passionate about mental health and expression. At La Paz, Jesus ensures that the office runs smoothly by assisting the team with logistics, administrative duties, and volunteer engagement.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Eric Myers, Board Chair
Chattanooga Design Studio
 

Bilda Acuna Small, Board Vice Chair
Girls Preparatory School

Carmen Quezada Hutson, Board Secretary
Partnership for Families, Children and Adults

Corinne Henderson, Board Treasurer
Henderson + Gouger, PLLC

Shadrina Booker
Big Brothers Big Sisters

​

Rosite Delgado
University of Chattanooga
 

Jay Elliott
Kenco Group

Rick Huffines
TN River Gorge Trust

Erwin Ovalle
MCS

Josselyn Neilson
 

Daniela Paz Peterson
Trust for Public Land

​