We are committed to strengthen communities from within and always in collaboration with others.

Meet the Staff

  • Ricardo B. Contreras, PhD

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER

    I am an applied anthropologist with a Bachelor’s degree from the Universidad de Chile and Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of South Florida. My career has been at the intersection of applied research and community health, and includes leading culturally specific organizations through processes of growth and consolidation. I am committed to make a difference in the Latinx community of Oregon through approaches that value the lived experience, assets, and culture of immigrants from Latin America. I am also an Adjunct instructor in the Master in Nonprofit Leadership at Pacific University.

  • Gabriela Orellana S.

    PROGRAM LEAD AND CO-FOUNDER

    I am a co-founder of ANDARES and lead its Economic Inclusion programmatic area, coordinating programs related to employment, financial education, and micro-enterprise development. I come to ANDARES with 20 years of experience in Ecuador and the United States in finances and entrepreneurship, with master’s degrees in marketing and in Leadership and Executive coaching from universities in Ecuador and Spain. Since arriving in Oregon in 2021, I have worked as financial advisor and trainer, as well as helped people start micro-enterprises. In addition to working part-time at ANDARES, Ihold the position of Rural and Bilingual Loan Officer at Community LendingWorks. I am enrolled in the Pacific University Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership.

  • Keiri López-Rosel

    PROGRAM LEAD AND CO-FOUNDER

    I originate from Michoacán, Mexico and have been an Oregon resident for 20 years. I graduated from South Albany High School in 2020. Since then, I have worked with the community to help bring awareness of their health benefits as a Community Health Worker and helped build leadership among my community's adults and youth through Participatory Action Research. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and puppy. Furthermore, valuing self care through reading, plating, and painting. I am excited to share my knowledge and work at ANDARES.

  • Marliese (Marly) Navarrete

    COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER

    As a community health worker, I assist farmworkers and their families connecting with resources and providing support in any way possible. As a daughter of a farm worker, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges this community faces, and I am committed to making a positive impact. I was born and raised in Oregon, but I also spent some time living in New York. I graduated from Philomath in 2023 and am currently pursuing a psychology degree as a first-generation student. I am passionate about supporting my community and uplifting small businesses and local shops. In my free time, I enjoy exploring Oregon with my family and friends and going on random adventures. I also love traveling to Guerrero, Mexico whenever possible and connecting with my roots.

  • Marlin S. Pérez

    COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER

    In Spring 2025, I will graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Science, along with a minor in Spanish. As the Community Health Worker at ANDARES, I am dedicated to advocating for and assisting farmworkers, connecting individuals and families with essential resources, ensuring they have access to the support they need to thrive. My academic background, combined with my lived experience as part of a farmworking family, has shaped my deep commitment to serving this community. I understand firsthand the resilience, challenges, and aspirations of farmworkers, and I am passionate about being a bridge that links them to opportunities and services. Outside of my work, I enjoy listening to music and exploring new restaurants with friends. 

  • Maria (Lupita) Flores

    COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER

    I am pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with Minors in Spanish and in Human Development and Family Sciences. I grew up in an agriculture environment and still am in that same environment to this day; however I also understand the first hand challenges that farmworker families face and go through. My background has instilled in me the need for farmworker families as well as underserved hispanic and latinx communities that are completely unaware of the different resources they have because of either language barriers or being scared to ask for help.

Meet the Board

  • Elizabeth Zepeda

    BOARD CHAIR AND CO-FOUNDER

    I strongly believe that our identities are a beautiful blend of our lived experiences, individual biology, and our cultural heritage. As a proud biracial, Mexican-American descendent of a Mexican immigrant father and grandparents, I am honored to serve my community in a way that also pays tribute to my heritage. I have deep ancestral roots tracing back hundreds of years, specific to the grand Mexico City, Mexico. My love for the Latino culture and desire to help lift others up within a leadership role, as well as a hands on approach, is at the forefront of all I do. My past volunteer experiences have included, Big Brother/Big Sister program, Project Read, food banks, Gabriel's Angels, Project Access, youth camp director, and Board of directors member/governance committee lead at a local non-profit. My education includes a BS in Animal Science, pre-vet-med emphasis, and MS in Molecular BIology, as I followed my career passion for both veterinary medicine and research. Currently, I work for Oregon State University as a faculty research assistant, within a core genomics laboratory. Although I grew up in Arizona, I consider Oregon my new home, and love living here in Corvallis.

  • Iris Carrera

    TREASURER

    Originally from Lara, Venezuela, I have lived in the United States for nearly 20 years. I graduated with Sociology and Law degrees in Venezuela and since my arrival in the United States have dedicated my knowledge to serving the Latinx community in various organizations. Engaging and supporting the community is something that has always been part of my life both in my home country as well as in the adopted one. I currently work in nutritional education at OSU Extension and spend many hours in local communities encouraging healthy living.

  • Gustavo Esparza

    SECRETARY

    Gustavo is a born and raised Oregonian, with family roots in Jalisco, Mexico. The first in his family to graduate both high school and college, Gustavo takes great pride in supporting individuals of similar backgrounds and experiences (bilingual/multicultural, first-generation, navigating unfamiliar systems) to achieve optimal outcomes (educational, health). I currently work for Oregon State University's College Assistance Migrant Program as the Outreach & Recruitment Coordinator. This allows me to connect with migrant and seasonal farmworker students & families in considering the benefits of higher education and to apply to OSU and CAMP. I am excited to do my part in fulfilling ANDARES' mission of "fostering resilience and community building by honoring people's wisdom, skills, and culture", and happy to be part of the Board.

  • Carlos Zuleta

    BOARD MEMBER

    I was born in Guatemala and grew up in California from the age of three. In 2005, I moved to Texas for a short time before settling in Oregon in 2006, where I currently reside with my wife and three children. I am fluent in English and Spanish, able to speak, read, and write both languages. Currently, I work at Chemeketa Community College as the Student Computer Center Coordinator. In this role, I assist students and library patrons in navigating technology to complete their tasks. Being part of ANDARES allows me to extend my impact beyond tutoring by collaborating with like-minded individuals dedicated to uplifting our Hispanic community. We focus on fostering connections, promoting leadership, and encouraging academic achievement, all while celebrating our rich cultural heritage. I believe that by embodying these values in my work, I can contribute to a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. Together, we can help empower the next generation of Hispanic students to reach their full potential.

    I am committed to upholding ANDARES’ value: “We value the assets, skills, and culture of Latinx communities in Oregon.” By recognizing and embracing the knowledge, talents, and cultural strengths within our community, we can move forward toward a better tomorrow.