About Us
Despierta is a non-profit agency founded in Charlotte, NC. It was birthed out of passion to help the Latina community thrive. Being that Latinas are a very underserved population in Charlotte, we aim to empower Latinas by providing support services that can help individuals thrive and strengthen families.
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The issue that was identified when working with Latina immigrants was primarily the lack of knowledge and access to community resources due to language barriers, low education levels, poverty, lack of social support, mistrust of the community, and other cultural barriers.
Our goal at Despierta is to be place where women can acquire the proper and effective tools to become self sufficient and resilient within the community. Immigrants suffer specific stressors and barriers related to establishing a new life in a foreign country. Despierta believes every Latina woman, regardless of her legal status, should have the support needed to thrive in our community.
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We must RISE.
Juliana Lozano, MSW, LCSWA
Founder & Executive Director
Colombian American
Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina
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Jazmin Hermosillo-Aguilar, CHW
Mujer Despierta Program Director
Mexican American
Bachelor of Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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Heidy Argueta, BSW
Bonita Rising Youth Program Director
Salvadoran American
Bachelor of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Chantal Coutu
Strategic Communications & Outreach Specialist
Country of Origin: Venezuelan
Bachelor of Social Work from UNC Charlotte
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Maria Rodriguez
Communications and Program Assistant
Country of Origin: Mexico
Bachelor of Psychology from UNC Charlotte
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Sheila Garcia-Garcia
Lead Program Facilitator
Mexican American
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Major: Communications
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Sadia Upright, PhD, LCMHC, CA, BCS, CSOT
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Board Certified Clinical Sexologist
Certified Juvenile & Adult Sex Offender Therapist
Forensic Psychology Specialist
Sex Therapist
Traumatologist
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Melissa (Metcalf) Le Roy
Chief Financial Officer
Bachelor in Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies at Western Carolina University
Meet The Board Members
Meet Our team!
Ivette Ceballos MPH, BSN,RN
Board Chair
RN Program Coordinator
Levine Cancer Institute
Master of Public Health
Columbia Southern University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Georgian Court University
Ivette was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador. Moved to the Queen city area back in 2018. Ivette's true passion lies in working with Hispanic/Latino communities and ensuring they have access to resources that empower them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
Collin E. Bailey
Board Treasurer
Chief Transformation Officer, Hudson Bay Company
Maryate Orduno
Board Member
Andrea Orozco
Board Member
Andrea is a dynamic first-generation Colombian-American entrepreneur, community advocate, and healthcare professional with over 15 years of experience in nursing. As a proud mother of two sons, Andrea’s journey has been defined by resilience, ambition, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting those around her. Having navigated the challenges of being a teenage mom while balancing full-time work and education, she embodies the essence of perseverance and dedication. Her sons, who describe her as “unstoppable,” have been her greatest source of motivation and inspiration.
Board Vice Chair
Master of Science- Family Practice Nursing from Frontier Nursing University
Specialties: Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)
Mary Kate Finnigan, NP
Lissette Velez
Board Member
Chief Strategy Officer of Velez Strategies
Lissette, originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador, has made North Carolina her home since 2007. With over thirteen years of experience in the construction industry and as a small business owner since 2020, Lissette has dedicated her career to empowering small businesses and community-based initiatives.
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Maryate Orduno
Board Member
Emily Chaskelson
Board Secretary
Support Services Committee
ELL Teacher-Myers Park High School
University of Kansas
Masters Degree from University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Emily was born and raised in Kansas City, spent some time in Chicago, and has resided in Charlotte since 2006. Her love of language and culture has driven her career, teaching English as a second language for nearly two decades. Emily ensures that her students have access to the tools and resources they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom.
Courtney Buggs, MSW, LCSWA
Board Member
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Winthrop University
Master of Social Work (MSW) from University of South Carolina
Courtney was born and raised in Columbia, SC, and has lived in Charlotte since 2015. Her educational and professional background reflects her passion for working with diverse cultures. She currently serves as a Social Work Supervisor in the Atrium Health Women's Care Division, where she supports women on a daily basis.
Laura Parker Waits
Board Member
Immigration Attorney and Legal Consultant
Juris Doctorate from The University of Oklahoma
Laura was born and raised in Texas, spent 10 years in Honduras and moved to Charlotte in 2023. She is passionate about finding innovative solutions for immigrants who find themselves in challenging situations. Laura speaks Spanish and enjoys spending time with her family in nature.