¡Si Se Puede!: Creating Equitable Engagement for Latino Communities

Linda Ximenes is the owner of Ximenes & Associates, Inc., a firm that specializes in working with innovative, community-oriented organizations, public agencies, and businesses to establish systems that improve their productivity and relations with external publics and improve their staff relationships and staff skills in the areas of goal-setting, planning, … Read More

Linda Ximenes is the owner of Ximenes & Associates, Inc., a firm that specializes in working with innovative, community-oriented organizations, public agencies, and businesses to establish systems that improve their productivity and relations with external publics and improve their staff relationships and staff skills in the areas of goal-setting, planning, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution and change management. Linda is fluent in Spanish and is certified as a trainer for Technology of Participation ® facilitation methods. Read Less

Susana Almanza is a founding member and Director of PODER (People Organized in Defense of Earth and her Resources), a grassroots environmental, economic, and social justice organization. Susana has overcome poverty, prejudice, and segregated schools to face down some of the world’s most powerful transnational corporations. Susana is an indigenous … Read More

Susana Almanza is a founding member and Director of PODER (People Organized in Defense of Earth and her Resources), a grassroots environmental, economic, and social justice organization. Susana has overcome poverty, prejudice, and segregated schools to face down some of the world’s most powerful transnational corporations. Susana is an indigenous person of the continent of America and resides in East Austin, Texas. She is a longtime community organizer, and educator, mother, and grandmother. Susana participated in the civil rights movement as a Brown Beret taking up issues of police brutality, housing, quality education and equity in school systems and health care as a right not a privilege. Susana Almanza is a proven leader and nationally recognized environmental justice activist. Susana was recently appointed to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. Susana is a model of civic engagement; Almanza has spent her life organizing for the advancement of the underprivileged in the neighborhoods of East Austin and beyond. Susana served on the City of Austin’s Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Board, Environmental Board, and the Community Development Commission. Susana continues her struggle for human rights demanding environmental justice and a better quality of life for people of color, all humanity and for future generations. Read Less

Sandra Rodríguez is a native Houstonian, daughter of immigrant parents and the President of the Gulfton Super Neighborhood Council, a civic organization focused on identifying, prioritizing, and addressing the needs and concerns of the broader community. She lived in the Gulfton neighborhood for almost four decades and believes in working … Read More

Sandra Rodríguez is a native Houstonian, daughter of immigrant parents and the President of the Gulfton Super Neighborhood Council, a civic organization focused on identifying, prioritizing, and addressing the needs and concerns of the broader community. She lived in the Gulfton neighborhood for almost four decades and believes in working collectively with all who live, work, worship, and play in the neighborhood. She also serves as the Advocacy Director at Latinos for Education where she leads the organization’s efforts to elevate Latino voices in decision making to increase educational outcomes. Her experience connecting community members to critical resources drives her work outside of the office. She obtained her bachelor’s from Springfield College School of Human Services as a single mother and currently serves as the Co-Chair for the City of Houston Food Insecurity Board Public Policy Committee, Co-Chair of the Houston Independent School District Capital Planning Steering Committee, is a Fellow of the American Leadership Forum Class XLVIII, a member of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, and a proud mother of two young men. Read Less

Marco Hinojosa is an urban planner at MIG, Inc. and is dedicated to empowering people to take part in planning and placemaking through inclusive engagement and education. Marco grew up in the suburbs, but trips to Mexico revealed what cities could be—with groceries within walking distance and various transportation and … Read More

Marco Hinojosa is an urban planner at MIG, Inc. and is dedicated to empowering people to take part in planning and placemaking through inclusive engagement and education. Marco grew up in the suburbs, but trips to Mexico revealed what cities could be—with groceries within walking distance and various transportation and housing options within mixed-use neighborhoods. His experience in public-sector development and transportation offers a nuanced understanding of a range of issues associated with making cities better for everyone. He is active in the American Planning Association, serving as Treasurer for the Latinos and Planning Division of the national organization. Read Less