Our Board

Click on the photos to learn more about our Board Members

I am a Licensed Social Worker with a Masters from the University of Washington and also an Adlerian therapist, Parenting coach and a Parent Education Instructor at North Seattle College. As a mother of three kids, my dream is that as our kids grow up and navigate the world, there will be lot more Latina Women in power and as role models. We need more Latinas to empower our children and show them that they all can reach their dreams.

This Latina Symposium, a dream that was only made possible by the grant provided by the Parent Education Program from North Seattle College. The dream is to organize and bring together Latinas from different educational backgrounds, economical status, and cultures to form a sense of community and to empower each other and make their dreams a possibility.

My family relocated from Mexico to the United States looking for a better future about 20 years ago. When I was 15 years old and could barely speak or understand English, my high school carrier counselor in San Antonio asked me in broken Spanish, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” I answered without a hesitation, “A nurse!”. Growing up in Mexico and watching my Godmother who was a town nurse, I was inspired to become a nurse. So, with a high confidence & enthusiasm, I answered “A Nurse!”.

The counselor looked at me with a puzzled look on her face. She then proceeded to give me a carrier/vocational test which I did my best with my limited English knowledge.

The counselor graded my test and came back with a striking news that I will be no more than a fast food restaurant worker. My heart sank but my hopes endured. From that point on I made a conscious decision that I will not only become successful but also be a bridge to encourage and motivate any minority or less privileged population; especially Latinas to continue their own dreams.

President Duties:

Attend board meetings.
Keep alive the commitment of the organization and staff, to their goals and objectives.
Understand financial accounting for non-profit organizations.
Serve as the chairman of the finance committee.
Manage, together with the finance committee, the review and action of the financial responsibilities of the board of directors.
Work with the treasurer and the accountant to ensure that the appropriate financial reports are available on time for the board of directors.
Present the annual budget to the board to be approved.
Review the annual audit and answer questions from the board members about it (if there is not a committee for this).

Tania Hino
President

I was born in Quito, Ecuador where I studied International Business and obtained my master’s degree in marketing.

After one year of arriving in this country, I was presented with a job at the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) as a Spanish Interpreter. This work gave me the opportunity to meet many people from different backgrounds and cultures. Through this experience, I learned that Spanish-speaking people not only sought help with the language, but also sought to share their lives with someone who had something in common.

When I moved to Seattle, I had the opportunity to attend the Latina Symposium organized by my good friend, Tania Hino. At the end of such motivating and happy day, I decided that I wanted to belong to this group of women willing to change the world.

From that moment, I joined the Symposium team as a collaborator, and today I am the director of the Symposium and the Vice president of SML. I feel so lucky to get to work with this group of women who have changed my life and inspired me to learn more.

Vice President Duties:

Attend board meetings.
Serve on the executive committee if there is one.
Comply with special tasks requested by the president.
Understand the responsibilities of the board president and be able to perform these duties in her/his absence.
Participate as a vital part of board leadership.

Veronica Sisk
Vice President

My name is Leonor Lopez Muñoz, I am Colombian, and I have been living in the United States since 2014. I have 3 children and I have been a teacher since 1997, a profession that has allowed me to carry out the gift of service that characterizes me.

Since 2016, I have been part of the Latina symposium, a space that gave me the opportunity to belong and contribute to the development of women, develop their sense of belonging and mutual support that we all need.

Now I am part of SML's board of directors as a secretary, role in which I can continue to identify needs, plan and execute strategies to create spaces for education, connect and empower Latina women not only in the state of Washington, but with all the people that surround us and help spread this message nationally and internationally.

Secretary Duties:

Attend all meetings.
Make sure all documents from the board are safe, and are correct.
Take notes at the Board meetings and review them.
Assume the responsibility of president or vice president, in case of their absence.
Announce the board meetings to the group /or committees when required.

Leonor López
Secretary

I was born in Concepción, Chile and I came to Seattle in 1997. What was initially an adventure, just a visit, changed and gradually developed into what my life is right now. I am married and have 2 wonderful teenagers, a daughter and a son.
I have been linked to education all my life through my parents, so it is no coincidence that I have continued in their steps. I studied pedagogy in Chile and worked as a teacher there for 7 years. In Seattle I completed a master's degree at the University of Washington in School Counseling. I am currently a school counselor at a Seattle elementary school among many other activities to which I dedicate my time. Much of my training is linked to Adlerian Psychology and Positive Discipline of which I am a certified trainer. Working so many years guiding families has reaffirmed in me the idea that by strengthening women in a community we can also change and impact the lives of people around them. SML allows me to contribute and continue growing with so many wonderful Latina women.

Treasurer Duties:

Receive and reconcile bank statements or sign checks, but not both.
Immediately place the name of the person whom the check is directed to, and deposit it within a week.
Attach each check with its receipt.
Make sure that each check has two signatures.
Maintain a calendar to send the different forms, to avoid fines and penalties.
Obtain permits and licenses.
Confirm contributions with a letter of thanks to sponsors and donors, also attaching the necessary information for taxes.
Control the hours of volunteers to protect them and to organize certain responsibilities and, at the same time, provide data for the planning of future programs and events.
Plan and evaluate the budget.
Prepare financial reports on time.
Recruit the next treasurer.

Ximena Grollmus
Treasurer

I attended the Latina Symposium the same year I arrived to Seattle, and from that day, I knew I wanted to collaborate with this wonderful organization.

I am originally from the Dominican Republic and I currently live in Seattle with my husband and my two boys. On a typical day, you’ll find me singing and dancing with my kids at home, but whenever my mom duties allow, you’ll find me creating content for my communication projects, or hosting an event. I enjoy good humor, flowers, stories and fried chicken.

I started working in the media as a TV host when I was a teenager and through the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work in the different facets of communications. Graduated as a TV and radio broadcaster, I hold a bachelor degree in Business Administration with certificates in Cultural Journalism, and in Public Relations and Strategic Communications.

I’m honored to be both a volunteer and a board member of SML. I’ve learned so much from this team and the women in the community, and every year, I continue to be inspired by their stories, and their courage to be the best version for themselves, their families and their communities.

Program Manager Duties:

Daily management of the program throughout its duration.
Definition of the management of the program (controls).
General program planning and progress monitoring.
Manage the program budget.
Manage the risks and problems, and take corrective measures.
Coordinate projects and their inter dependencies.
Manage and use resources in all projects.
Manage communication among interested groups (board members, volunteers, sponsors, etc.)
Align the final product with the "result" of the program.
Manage the main documents of the program.

Sixta Morel
Program Manager