Phoenix, AZ – Valle del Sol is proud to announce the Hispanic Leadership Institute (HLI) East Valley Class of 2017, comprised of 16 Hispanic professionals from the public, nonprofit and private sectors, who will gain the knowledge and tools to have a positive impact as leaders within their respective organizations and in the community.

HLI-East Valley is a comprehensive and culturally-relevant leadership program in partnership with the Mesa Association of Hispanic Citizens (MAHC), Mesa Public Schools and Mesa Community College. HLI-East Valley’s mission is to promote the individual development of Hispanics for increased participation in leadership roles. The curriculum builds from participants’ experiences, emphasizing personal and professional development with sessions focusing on cultural and personal identity; serving on a board; ethics and media training.

Valle del Sol’s HLI-East Valley Class of 2017 includes:

Tamara Addis – Mesa Public Schools

Alfred Chavez – Maricopa County Community College District

Edna Corona – Mesa Public Schools – Jefferson Elementary School

Keiko Dilbeck – Mesa Public Schools

Liliana Duran – Tempe Police Department

Angelica Guevara – City of Mesa Development Services

Abel Jimenez – Mesa Public Schools – Jefferson Elementary School

Thomas Leyba – Entrepreneur

Andrea Macias – Mesa Community College

Diane Martinez – Wells Fargo Bank

Josie Montenegro – City of Tempe

Javier Munoz – Salt River Project

Carmen Newland – Mesa Community College

Kathleen Perales – Mesa Community College

Gina Piraino – Mesa Public Schools – Taylor Junior High

Jill Sprankle – Mesa Public School

Valle del Sol’s Hispanic Leadership Institute was established and designed to educate and assist individuals in developing and expanding their leadership skills to take an active role in the community. HLI was founded in 1986 as a partnership between Valle del Sol, Valley of the Sun United Way and South Mountain Community College. In 1994, Valle del Sol and Arizona State University partnered to strengthen and expand the Institute. In 2007, ASU’s College of Public Programs and Valle del Sol joined their efforts to ensure that Hispanic leaders are ready to take their places front and center in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors now and in the years to come.

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Founded in 1970 to fill a gap in behavioral and social services available to the Latino community in Phoenix, the nonprofit Valle del Sol has grown to become a leader in culturally competent, whole-person care as well as leadership development.

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