Board Members

Astrid Gamez, Chair

Astrid M. Gámez, MA is the founder and Executive Director of Family Services Network. For the past 24 years, Ms. Gámez has been serving local communities in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC area. Ms. Gámez developed the “Whom Should I Tell?” curriculum program a comprehensive child sexual abuse prevention program that teaches parents and caregivers the practical tools and techniques to prevent, recognize and report any type of sexual child abuse. As an ACT –RSK Master Trainer, Ms. Gámez has trained facilitators in Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, the Melissa Institute in Miami, FL., and the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Cali, Colombia and Quito, Ecuador. In addition, she has conducted training programs at the Instituto de Capacitación Los Alamos in Itagui, Colombia and the Universidad La Sabana, in Chia, Colombia. In 2021, Ms. Gámez published Whom Should I Tell? An educational coloring and activities book for 4 to 12 years old children. Ms. Gámez holds an M.A in Prevention and Treatment of Family Violence: Children, Couples and the Elderly from the Univesitat de Barcelona, Spain and a B.A. in psychology with a certification in child welfare from George Mason University. Ms. Gámez was born and raise in Caracas, Venezuela. In 1994, she adopted Virginia as her “home state” where she raised her two children.

Jonathan Avendano, Vice Chair

Jonathan AG is the first ever youngest latino to be an Ordained Minister with IPHC and Redemption Ministry Network and faithfully serves as the Executive Director of Instituto Bíblico MDC and youngest Associate Pastor at Iglesia Mana Del Cielo located in Northern Virginia. He has ministered all across North and Central America and have met with government officials from local, state, and federal levels. His dedication for advocacy for biblical principles and support for the Latino community led him to work with many organizations involved in public policies across the nation. Presently, Jonathan work in overseeing the National Hispanic Pastors Alliance as Executive Director. He has a huge passion for education and have shown that working formally in the public schools supporting Special Education for seven years. He had the honor of giving ceremonial advocations and benedictions to Dr. Ben Carson, Former Vice-President Mike Pence, and to Governor Glenn Youngkin at the Virginia Gubernatorial Inauguration in 2022; First Latino Minister ever in Virginia history. He also had the honor to give the invocation for the new Virginia General Assembly of 2022.

Eduardo Gil

Eduardo Gil of Falls Church, Director, Capdesvilas Advisors

Saul Hernandez

Saul Hernandez of Washington County, Vice President of IT, Food City

Jo-Ann Chase

Jo-Ann Chase is the Chairwoman of the Republican Hispanic Assembly of Virginia. The RHAVA is a grassroots organization for conservative Hispanics which promotes the core principles and values of the Republican Party. Jo-Ann also serves on Virginia Governor Youngkin’s Council on the Aging representing the 10th Congressional District. The CCOA promotes an efficient, coordinated approach by state government to meeting the needs of older Virginians. Jo-Ann is the Broker/Owner of Exclusive Realty, Inc. located in Ashburn, Virginia; and Exclusive Homes, Inc. located in Columbia, South Carolina. In total she has more than 20 years of small business management experience.

During former President Trump’s candidacy and term in office, Jo-Ann served in various leadership roles. Jo-Ann was appointed as a Commissioner to the White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative. She was the Virginia State Director for the National Diversity Coalition for Trump and a surrogate for the White House Office of Communications. Jo-Ann participated in local, national, and international media initiatives.

Jo-Ann has been active in Virginia political efforts for decades. In 2020 she was elected as a Virginia National Delegate to the Presidential Convention having received President Trump’s endorsement for this position. Previously, Jo-Ann was elected as the 10th Congressional District representative to the State Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia (2008-2012). She served as the Vice Chairman of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Virginia. In 2011, Jo-Ann ran for the Virginia House of Delegates for the 87th District leading an innovative grass-roots campaign in her district.

Jo-Ann spent a decade in South Carolina. During that time she ran for the local school board, served as the Chairman of the Hispanic Outreach Committee of the

South Carolina Republican Party and was appointed by Governor Mark Sanford to the Economic Development Task Force.

Jo-Ann is married to Clay Chase and has two children, three step children and twelve grandchildren.

Wendy K. Clavijo

Wendy K. Clavijo of Northern Virginia, Realtor

Alexander Guzmán

Alexander Guzmán is a nonprofit leader with over a decade of experience in community advocacy.  Raised by Puerto Rican parents in a tight-knit Latino community in rural Virginia, Alex has witnessed the amazing demographic shifts in Virginia. He believes the state must prioritize socioeconomic access and opportunity for the Commonwealth’s Latino communities. 

Alex currently serves as the Public Policy Officer for ChildSavers, a Richmond-based nonprofit providing trauma-informed youth mental health and child development services across Virginia. He creates policy solutions that increase access to mental health services for children in the state. 

Prior to ChildSavers, Alex was the Director of Fair Housing for Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, where he was proud to pioneer innovative investigations addressing systemic housing discrimination across the state. He brought over $1 million in Federal money to the Commonwealth to fund the quiet work of combatting housing discrimination—work which opened housing opportunities to tens of thousands of Virginians previously shut out of the market. 

A supporter of community and grassroots organizations, he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Petersburg Area Art League. He has served on boards for the Governor’s School Foundation, Iron Village Preparatory Academy, and RVA Rapid Transit, among others. 

Style Weekly named Alex one of Richmond’s Top 40 under 40 in 2019. He is also the recipient of the Dean’s Diversity Award from the Virginia Tech Center for Public Administration and Policy. 

He is a proud graduate of the College of William & Mary. He has extensive experience traveling, studying, and living in Latin America. 

Alex resides in the City of Richmond.

Jennifer Fierro Kelly

Jennifer Fierro Kelly  is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in government, corporate communications, and public affairs. She has held key roles at the White House, U.S. Senate, and U.S. Small Business Administration, leading strategic initiatives in policy, crisis communication, and stakeholder engagement. With a strong background in both public and private sectors, Jennifer is dedicated to supporting the Latino community and advancing impactful policy and communication strategies.

Ana Metzger

Ana Metzger was born in Peru and grew up in a large working middle-class family, the eighth child of ten. At an early age she learned the value of hard work and the importance of education. Her godmother and maids taught her about herbal and natural medicine and how to be resourceful and respectful of the environment and mountain lands on which her family came from.

After graduating from high school, Ana studied to become an executive secretary. She never stopped learning and added accounting and office management skills to her resume. Ana eventually began working in Peru’s banking industry for sixteen years advancing from teller to branch manager. She was promoted after six months and returned to school to earn her degree in finance.

Ana legally immigrated to the United States in 2001. Initially on a visa, Ana began working as a hotel maid, where she was misled about proper immigration laws and basic standards of living. Seeking an honest, credible path, Ana began working as a housekeeper for a retirement community where she received assistance navigating the proper immigration process. Ana has never stopped fighting to educate those being taken advantage of by illegal immigrants and greedy citizens.

In 2002 Ana opened her own cleaning business and worked nights and weekends until she was able to leave her retirement community job to manage her business full time. Her business quickly expanded through referrals as she diversified with clientele from different economic classes and neighborhoods. To this day she continues to work with many of the clients who supported her business in its early days. Many are like family and have helped her along as she realized her American dream.

Ana enjoys decorating houses and volunteering with ASPCA and RAL. She began protecting animals as a child, saving a litter of homeless puppies in second grade. Now she volunteers to save horses in Texas and Arizona. She rescued her beloved horse Ranger four years ago, relocating him from Texas to Chesterfield. She also enlisted in the first military course in parachuting for women in Peru.

Ana wants the Hispanic community to succeed through education, hard work and entrepreneurship, as she did. She believes in strong families, discipline, independence and building strong communities. Becoming an American citizen has strengthened her Latino roots from the blending of two cultures. She is serving on this board to help people realize their dreams.

Ana is married and lives in Midlothian. She is fluent in English, Spanish and Quechua.

Emilio J. Revilla

Emilio Revilla is the son of Cuban refugees and was born in Miami. Spanish was his first language and essential to communicating with his grandmothers. Regardless of where he has lived, studied, or worked, he has remained connected to his Hispanic heritage.

Professionally, Mr. Revilla began his career representing clients (many who were Hispanic or Latin American) first as a law firm associate and then as in-house counsel to a major South American airline. He joined Capital One 25 years ago as the lawyer for the division focused on the Hispanic segment. He is still there today as the Managing Vice President, Chief Counsel Consumer & Financial Integrity Regulatory. Mr. Revilla is enthusiastic in his commitment to HOLA (Capital One’s Hispanic business resource group), and sponsors two flagship leadership programs recognized as beacons for employee development, retention, and promotion. Externally, he has mentored and led sessions with high school, college, and law school students who are first generation or from underserved backgrounds. He was appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin to the Virginia Latino Advisory Board in 2022.

Leslie Sanchez

Leslie Sanchez is a media entrepreneur, author, and political analyst for CBS News. Recognized as an award-winning expert on trends impacting women and the Hispanic/Latino markets, her insights have delivered winning campaigns for Fortune 100 companies, early stage startups, political candidates, and global non-profits. In 2019, she was also named a Johns Hopkins University Leadership Fellow.  

Whether dissecting the evolution of working-class Latino voters or exploring the challenges facing women in leadership, Leslie has an uncanny ability to predict and dissect pivotal moments. Her books, "Los Republicanos" and "You've Come a Long Way, Maybe," earned her accolades like "100 Most Influential Hispanics" by Hispanic Business and "Texas Powerbroker" by the Houston Chronicle. 

Sanchez joined CBS News and Stations as a political analyst in 2015, contributing to the Network's streaming news properties and broadcasts, including Election Nights and coverage of primaries, political debates, and conventions. She provides analysis of the White House, Congress and statewide elections, and developed documentary content for CBS News Streaming on immigrant workers in forestry, Latino Republicans in South Texas, and toxic homes caused by Hurricane Harvey. Sanchez has also produced long-form coverage for CBS News on elite colleges struggling to integrate working-class and low-income students.  

Sanchez previously held a number of political and government-related appointments, including director of the White House Initiative on Hispanic Education under former President George W. Bush; and legislative aide for a Member on the House Appropriations Committee. 

Leslie is a fifth-generation Texan who holds a BA from The George Washington University, and an MBA from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and as a member of the Virginia Latino Advisory Board, which were appointed by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.  

She and her husband, a Captain in the United States Navy, live in Northern Virginia.  

Marcia Donovan

Marcia Donovan of Fairfax, Parent Liaison and Interpreter, Fairfax County Public Schools

Roberto Jose Coquis

Roberto José Coquis is of Peruvian decent and an Operations/HR expert who has nearly 20 years of experience working in the Political Arena, the Federal Government and in the Sports Industry. He has managed multi-billion dollar programs, collaborated and inspired large diverse teams, and ensured that programs run smoothly and successfully.  

Roberto currently serves as the Deputy Director, Human Resources at Barbaricum. He has served as a Presidential Appointee in two Administrations, including serving as a Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  

He currently serves as the President of the Northern Virginia Bonsai Society (NVBS), was appointed as a Board Member of the Virginia Latino Advisory Board by Governor Glen Youngkin in 2023, and is a Member of the Washington, DC Leadership Council of the Sports Philanthropy Network. 

During the 2009 MLB season, Roberto, his wife and their baby daughter visited all 30 major league ballparks in a journey they dubbed "30 Ballparks and a Baby". They documented their experiences at www.30ballparksandababy.com, and during their adventure they raised money for the Women’s Sports Foundation. 

Roberto earned a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations from American University and a Master’s Degree from Georgetown University. 

Gladys Truong

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and raised in Asuncion, Paraguay, Gladys Aguero Truong has lived in the United States for over 30 years. 

Graduating from a college preparatory high school, Gladys went on to receive her Marketing and Public Relations degree from Autonomous University of Asuncion.

When she came to the United States, she received her Accounting Degree from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and started Spanish Connection from her home after seeing there was a need for accounting services in the Hispanic community. 

Since then, Spanish Connection has grown from one employee to an office employing 5 people.  Over the past 25 years, Gladys has helped start thousands of new businesses and has helped grow multiple Hispanic small businesses into multimillion dollar enterprises.  

Gladys has always been involved in the Hispanic community in one way or another for over 30 years.  Whether it is sending her employees to schools to serve as translators to teaching English classes at her office, she believes in community engagement to help those who need it most.  She is proud to serve on the Virginia Latino Advisory Board to help her community grow and become successful. 

Gladys is fluent in three languages, Spanish, English, Guaraní and is conversant in Italian and Portuguese.  She is married and lives with her husband and two dogs in Chesterfield.

Lieutenant Colonel Santos O. Muñoz (Retired USAF)

Lt Col Santos O. Muñoz, USAF (Ret) is a Senior Leader, Strategist, and  Space, Nuclear & Air Power Professional with more than 24 years of experience serving our Nation.

Originally from Carolina, Puerto Rico, he earned his commissioned in the U.S. Air Force from the AFROTC program at the University of Puerto Rico in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and a Master of Arts degree in Labor Relations from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico.

During his military career he became an operational expert with a variety of weapon systems, capabilities and emerging technologies at the tactical, operational and strategic level. As a policy, doctrine, and governance expert, he provided executive-level leadership for organizations over 20K personnel and supervised up to 30 direct reports. He was also responsible for the administration and management of over $2B in defense assets and contracts up to $300M.

Santos is fully bilingual in English and Spanish with a record of leading teams reach their goals and objectives while reducing costs and enhancing operating efficiencies. That included teams involved in the coordination of numerous national executive-level decisions across multiple government agencies, multinational organizations and the Intelligence Community.

Upon his military retirement, he and his family adopted the Commonwealth of Virginia as their home. Santos serves as the Chair of the Education Committee for VLAB. He is also a defense contractor in the private sector and very active as a community and business leader. He volunteers and supports several Faith groups at Church as well as help/mentor Main Street Families, Veterans and Hispanics on financial literacy, and other entrepreneurial efforts.

Juan Carlos “JC” Lopez

JC Lopez is a detail-oriented, highly organized, and personable Latino Community Leader, founder of Hispanos en America, member of the Defense Committee of the Democracy, Diplomatic Events Coordinator, and Bolivian American Chamber of Commerce Executive Director. He has twenty years of experience at the White House and State Department of Protocol, and as Treasury Officer at the Latino National Republican Coalition.

JC Lopez has led mission trips with Emmanuel Bible Church to Europe, Africa, and South America. He also supports his community as a basketball coach for Springfield Youth Club. Mr. Lopez graduated from Carabobo University in Venezuela.

Jennie Wood

Jennie Wood currently serves as the Chief of Staff for Delegate Tom Garrett and as the Director of Development for the Support our Virginia Troopers Foundation. With a diverse professional background, Jennie has previously worked as an entrepreneur in marketing and photography, as well as in fundraising and event planning.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies from The University of Richmond and an Associate’s degree in Digital Photography. Her board experience is extensive, having served on the Junior Boards of The Children’s Museum of Richmond and The YWCA, and the governing board of The Podium Foundation. Jennie is also a current member of The Goochland Economic Development Authority and was recently appointed by The Speaker of the House of Delegates to the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Commission.

In her community, Jennie is a dedicated supporter of several charitable organizations, including The Rick Sharp Alzheimer’s Foundation, The Virginia State Police Association, and the Cartersville Volunteer Fire Department. She is actively involved in her church, Cartersville Baptist, where she volunteers regularly.

Jennie’s unique background includes being a dual citizen with fluency in Portuguese, a skill she attributes to her Brazilian heritage. She is also a blue belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu and, alongside her fiancé, runs Street Level Jiujitsu in Goochland, VA, where they offer free training for first responders. Jennie resides in Goochland with her two daughters, Isamarie and Marcella.