Board of Directors
Eva Benavidez, Chair
Eva works for Casa de Esperanza and is responsible for marketing, communications and oversight of grant writing and individual fundraising. She also serves on the Hennepin County Latino Youth Development Committee, which promotes educational achievement amongst Hispanic youth.
Richard Bergeron
Rich recently served as VISTA Leader for Minneapolis Public Schools Volunteer Services and worked with AmeriCorps performing social project research, grant writing and web design for the MN Department of Human Rights. For nearly 30 years, he has participated in the design of curriculum, instructional courseware and teaching. He has a history of civic involvement including volunteer work with the Resource Center and Northside Neighborhood Services, and US Military service.
Erika Busse
Erika is a PhD candidate in the Department of Sociology at the University of Minnesota. She obtained her B.A. in Sociology and Gender Studies in Peru and her master’s degree from the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex. She recently published, “Institutional Vulnerability and Opportunity: Immigration and America’s ‘War on Terror.” She is active with Catholic Charities, serving Latin American Immigrants.
David Campana
David is a Masters of Public Policy candidate at the University of Minnesota% Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. During graduate school, he was a graduate research assistant with Resource Center of the Americas’ Workers Rights Center. His recent work experience in the U.S. includes working as an Immigrant Rights Specialist with UNITE HERE, and as a Human Rights Investigator with the City of Saint Paul. Prior to moving to the U.S. in 2002, David worked with labor and human rights nonprofit organizations in Lima, Peru, on issues regarding free trade, immigration, labor and human rights in the Americas.
Christian Engen
Chris was a statistician with the Department of Agriculture until retiring in 2007. He serves on the board of directors of the Interchange Institute, whose mission is to promote dialogue and create understanding between immigrants and their new communities. As a Peace Corps volunteer (1969-71) he worked on water development issues in Kenya.
David Gibson
David is an accountant and teacher. He taught for ten years in Minneapolis Public Schools and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. David studied anthropology and international development and has lived and worked in Belfast, focusing on issues of peace and justice.
Sarah Humpage, Treasurer
Sarah is a PhD student in Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota. She volunteers with the Lake Area Group Organizing in Solidarity with The People of Guatemala (LAGOS) and Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA).
Felipe Illescas Felipe is the Executive Director of Minnesota SOL (Strengthening Our Lives), advancing civic engagement in the Latino Community.
Hernan Iriarte
Coming soon.
Christina Jennings, Vice-Chair
Christina is a returning Board Member from several years ago, and is the Executive Director of the Northcountry Cooperative Development Fund. As a small non-profit Executive Director Christina brings significant industry insight to share with the Resource Center, including fundraising and operations management. Christina is also building a company specializing in connecting micro-finance investors with Central-American communities.
Eduardo Jurado
Eduardo is an interpreter with Allina Hospitals and Clinics. He is active with Jane Adams School for Democracy, Lake Area Group Organizing in Solidarity with The People of Guatemala (LAGOS), and the American Red Cross - Volunteer Disaster Action Team.
Joy Nelson Joy is a retired social worker, active in her church social outreach committee, volunteers with Minneapolis Public Schools, and is a group facilitator in the Longfellow-Seward Restorative Justice Partnership.
Leticia Stabrino
Leticia Stabrino is a teacher from Uruguay and has been involved with the Resource Center for years as a volunteer and Spanish instructor. She works with the Latino population of North Saint Paul as the Spanish Liaison of their school district. She lives in South Minneapolis.
Marcia Tapia
Marcia is a founding member and President of the Green Cleaning Cooperative, a group of experienced commercial and residential cleaners.
Lauren Wood, Secretary
Lauren is an intellectual property attorney for a prominent Minneapolis practice, graduating from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2008. As an undergraduate Lauren atended Augsburg College, studied abroad in Mexico and interned with the Advocates for Human Rights. As a law student she interned with the Center for Workers’ Rights at the Resource Center of the Americas, and also studied abroad Spain. Lauren handles pro bono immigration cases in her personal time.
