About Us

We have the privilege to amplify the voices of Boston’s underserved Latinx community, who have historically been excluded from achieving financial freedom and long-term well-being.
Gladys and Dinanyili standing with a man in a tie
La Colaborativa Logo Swish

Empowering Our Community is in Our DNA 

La Colaborativa, founded in 1988, is a Latina-led organization that has served as a steadfast, reliable, and bold ally to Latinx immigrants in Greater Boston for over 35 years. Operating in gateway cities such as Chelsea, East Boston, Everett, Lynn, Revere, and Malden, we collaborate with Latinx immigrants to develop and implement a range of programs, initiatives, and community campaigns that serve and uplift our community.

Our focus areas include ensuring food and housing security, promoting economic progress, celebrating cultural heritage, and cultivating immigrant leadership to effect policy and systemic changes for long-lasting community benefits.

As a trusted resource for Massachusetts’ immigrant population, we provide linguistically and culturally appropriate information and resources to some of the state’s most vulnerable individuals, including newly arrived immigrants, undocumented families, non-English speakers, as well as low-income tenants and workers.

We Create Systemic Change

We are stronger together. At La Colaborativa, we know how to navigate the path from instability to empowerment. Every voice matters, and as a united community, we create lasting positive change to enhance the lives of Latinx individuals. 

Systemic Change Roadmap from Instability to Empowerment
Person with glasses smiling in front of the colorful mural

Board of Directors

Meet the talented individuals who guide our organization.
  • La Colaborativa logo mark
    Rosalba Medina

    Board President

    Detective, Domestic Violence Unit,
    Chelsea Police Department

  • La Colaborativa logo mark
    Carol Resnek

    Board Vice President

    Teacher,
    Chelsea High School

  • Stacey Pichardo
    Stacey Pichardo

    Board Member

    Criminal Bureau Deputy Chief,
    Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office

  • Ellen Rovner
    Ellen Rovner

    Board Member

    Anthropologist,
    Brandeis University Women’s Studies Center

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  • La Colaborativa logo mark
    Lee Staples

    Board Member

    Macro Professor,

    Boston University School of Social Work

  • Joe Betancourt
    Joe Betancourt

    Board Member

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  • Our Team

    Get to know our incredible team members.
  • Gladys Vega
    Gladys Vega

    she/ella

    President & CEO

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  • Dinanyili Del Carmen Paulino
    Dinanyili Del Carmen Paulino

    she/ella

    Executive Vice President

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  • Alex Train
    Alex Train, AICP

    he/él

    Chief Operating Officer

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  • Philip Warren White
    Philip Warren White

    he/él

    Director of Impact

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  • Anna Hadingham

    she/ella

    Development & Marketing Specialist

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  • Norieliz DeJesus
    Norieliz DeJesus

    Director of Emergency Assistance

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  • Joanna Vodola
    Joanna Vodola

    she/ella

    Education Manager

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  • Emiliano Warren
    Emiliano Warren

    he/él

    Certified Application Counselor

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  • La Colaborativa logo mark
    Patrice Tetermoran

    she/ella

    Grants Manager

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  • Carlos Ricardo Galvez
    Carlos R. Gálvez

    he/él

    Director of Economic Sustainability & Mobility

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  • Cesar Rengifo
    César Rengifo

    he/él

    Commercial Kitchen Manager

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  • Aidan Kaminer
    Aidan Kaminer

    they/he/él/elle

    Economic Development Coordinator

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  • Clara Dilernia
    Clara Dilernia

    she/ella

    Rapid Re-employment Specialist

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  • Donna Mitria
    Donna Mitria

    she/ella

    Triage Team Manager

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  • La Colaborativa logo mark
    Alexa Zayas

    she/ella

    Welcoming Specialist

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  • Lauren Phillips-Jackson
    Lauren Phillips-Jackson

    she/ella

    Academic Success Coordinator

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  • Nelson Montesinos
    Nelson Montesinos

    he/él

    Digital Navigator

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  • Angie Coronado
    Angie Coronado, MPH

    she/ella

    Director of Health Equity

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  • La Colaborativa logo mark
    Juan Camilo Saavedra

    he/él

    Director of Food & Nutrition

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  • Armando Rivera
    Armando Rivera

    he/él

    Performing Arts Coordinator

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  • Brendan Mitchell
    Brendan Mitchell

    he/él

    Career Pathways & Workforce Development Coordinator

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  • Maria Jose Suarez
    Maria Jose Suarez

    she/ella

    Youth Entrepreneurship Specialist

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  • Lina Tabar
    Lina Tabar

    she/ella

    Director of Organizing & Policy

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  • Fred Caltado
    Fred Cataldo

    Director of Finance

  • Yaqui
    Yaquelin Cordon

    Bookeeper & Office Manager

  • Cherlin
    Cherlin Dubon

    she/ella

    Housing Case Manager

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  • Alejandra
    Nohemi Alejandra Rodriguez

    she/he

    Health Equity Membership Specialist

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  • Anais
    Anais Roa

    Membership Specialist

  • Jessica
    Jessica Armijo

    Case Manager

  • William Palacios
    William Palacios

    he/él

    Youth Development Programs Manager

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  • Sonia
    Sonia Jimenez

    Promotora de Salud

  • Brenda Romero

    Promotora de Salud

  • Marcos
    Marcos Ramirez

    Promotor de Salud

  • Freddy Mata Bueso
    Freddy Mata-Bueso

    he/él

    Youth Development Programs Manager

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  • La Colaborativa logo mark
    Camela Zarcone

    she/ella

    Community Nutrition Educator

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  • La Colaborativa logo mark
    Vilma Perez-Serrano

    she/ella

    Academic Programs Instructor

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  • Fernando Manangon
    Fernando Manangon

    he/él

    Housing Case Manager

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  • La Colaborativa logo mark
    Iliana Vidal

    she/ella

    Youth Program Coordinator & Food Security Educator

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  • Ana Sofia Amieva-Wang
    Ana Sofia Amieva-Wang

    she/ella

    Senior Program Director

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  • La Colaborativa logo mark
    Suzie MacDonald-Bolanos

    she/ella

    Community Engagement Specialist

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  • Supporters Placeholder

    "I am grateful to La Colaborativa for helping me achieve my goals. With their support, I was able to open my own daycare. Owning the daycare brings me immense joy and through their support, I feel prepared for any challenge. I want to thank La Colaborativa's Early Education and Childcare program. Opening my daycare has been a dream come true, and I hope to inspire other women to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams."

    Norma Escobar

    "I needed a new job and wanted more opportunities, and I realized how important it was to learn English. La Colaborativa’s ESOL courses were very helpful as I started from zero, which has helped open many doors for me. When I came to La Colaborativa, I had just lost my job, and with their guidance, I quickly got a job in just one week at a Dental Clinic!"

    Ana Ruth Lobo Zavala

    "I was going through some hard times and needed some help… Everyone at La Colaborativa treated me with such respect. I came in needing help, needed a job, and within a matter of minutes, La Colaborativa gave me options and helped open doors."

    Eddie Artica
    La Colaborativa Logo Swish

    We Create Systematic Change

    Together, we are stronger. Every voice matters, and as a united community, we create positive change to enhance the lives of Latinx individuals. 

    Survival
    We prioritize urgent needs like emergency housing, food access, and case management, first.
    Stability
    Creating a stable, reliable, and safe environment for our community is at the forefront of our mission.
    Empowerment
    We provide our communities with effective tools to amplify their voices and advocate for their prosperity.
    Person with glasses smiling in front of the colorful mural

    Supporters Placeholder

    "I am grateful to La Colaborativa for helping me achieve my goals. With their support, I was able to open my own daycare. Owning the daycare brings me immense joy and through their support, I feel prepared for any challenge. I want to thank La Colaborativa's Early Education and Childcare program. Opening my daycare has been a dream come true, and I hope to inspire other women to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams."

    Norma Escobar

    "I needed a new job and wanted more opportunities, and I realized how important it was to learn English. La Colaborativa’s ESOL courses were very helpful as I started from zero, which has helped open many doors for me. When I came to La Colaborativa, I had just lost my job, and with their guidance, I quickly got a job in just one week at a Dental Clinic!"

    Ana Ruth Lobo Zavala

    "I was going through some hard times and needed some help… Everyone at La Colaborativa treated me with such respect. I came in needing help, needed a job, and within a matter of minutes, La Colaborativa gave me options and helped open doors."

    Eddie Artica
    La Colaborativa Logo Swish