Meet the Finalists: Volunteer of the Year

Get to know our amazing individuals and organizations as we get ready to celebrate them at our 2025 Latino Leadership Awards on September 19th!

Throughout the next couple of weeks, we'll be sharing some info on the folks and agencies our city nominated to be recognized for their contributions and positive impact, promoting Latino progress across sectors in the Scenic City!

Volunteer of the Year: 2025 Nominee

Daisy Hernandez Puac

My name is Daisy Hernandez, and I am a 20-year-old Guatemalan-American. I visited Guatemala in 2019, and ever since that experience, my passion for helping our community has continued to grow. I am currently studying Political Science at Chattanooga State Community College, where I also work as a Spanish tutor, helping fellow students connect with and learn the Spanish language. Through my education, I hope to make a meaningful difference in our community by bridging cultures and advocating for those whose voices may go unheard.

Since the summer of 2022, I have been actively volunteering with La Paz, participating in a variety of events such as passport application sit-downs, summer community events, school registration drives, and work with the Guatemalan consulate. Additionally, I’ve volunteered at the Hispanic Heritage Festival at Chattanooga State for the past three years (2021–2023), and I taught an English class through a literacy center from January 2023 to December 2024. I currently work at the Hunter Museum of American Art, where I’ve helped make the space more inclusive by translating museum materials into Spanish and offering youth tours in Spanish. At the end of the day I know I make a change for our community and that is more than enough for me. 

Brittany Faith

Brittany Faith is a nationally recognized immigration attorney and head of Abbott, Weiss’ Immigration Practice Group. Her practice focuses on employment-based and family-based immigration. Participation in and service to the bar has enabled her to grow as an attorney and to give back to the community. She has extensive experience in leadership including serving as an Elected Director on the AILA Board of Governors and President of the TBA Young Lawyers Division. Ms. Faith’s dedication and skill has earned her numerous accolades including the 2021 Joseph Minsky Young Lawyer Award by AILA for her outstanding contributions made as a young lawyer in the field of immigration and nationality law, the 2019 “ABA on the Rise- Top 40 Young Lawyers” award, and the 2023 University of Tennessee’s Volunteer 40 Under 40 Award. 

Melissa Callejas

I moved to the United States from Nicaragua 14 years ago, inspired by a dream to build a better life and create meaningful opportunities. Today, I serve as the Director of Tech Goes Home Tennessee, where I lead a statewide team focused on closing the digital divide through community-based digital skills training. Our mission is to ensure families and individuals across Tennessee have access to the technology and resources they need to succeed in work, education, and life.

My professional journey began in early childhood education as a Pre-K teacher, which ignited my passion for access, equity, and strong community support systems. Over time, I transitioned into leadership roles that allow me to design programs, build partnerships, and advocate for long-term success in underserved communities. Beyond my work at Tech Goes Home, I also serve as President of the Young Professionals of Chattanooga, where I focus on creating inclusive opportunities for networking, growth, and leadership development among emerging talent in our city.

In addition to my civic and professional roles, I help lead the Latinos Professional Network, creating intentional spaces for connection, cultural celebration, and resource-sharing within the Latino community. I also host Conexión Comunitaria, a Spanish-language radio show dedicated to informing and empowering Hispanic residents by featuring local leaders, organizations, and officials. Whether through workforce development, media, or community engagement, I’m passionate about building spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued—and I remain committed to amplifying Latino voices across Chattanooga.