Leslie Mejia, Immediate Past President
Leslie Mejia received her B.A. in Chicana and Chicano Studies with a minor in Labor Workplace Studies from UCLA. While at UCLA, she immersed herself in research programs through the Academic Advancement Program, worked at the Undergraduate Admissions Office as a Bruin Ambassador and UCLA’s Early Academic Outreach Program. In her involvement with research, the admissions office, and EAOP she discovered her true passion for education and will be pursuing a Masters Degree in Counseling.
Alejandro Contreras, Membership & Communications
Alejandro Contreras was born and raised in Merida, Venezuela. He moved to California to attend UCLA and received his B.A. in Economics/Business with a minor in International Relations. Having a strong passion for entrepreneurship and design, Alex founded Viesso.com, a multi-brand retailer of modern furniture whose focus is to provide an exclusive customizable line of home furnishing with a strong eco-friendly initiative, locally made in Los Angeles. Besides Viesso, Alex is also a real estate lending consultant at Blackhawk Capital Group, a lending group in Newport Beach. With over 11 years of experience, he has worked as a mortgage analyst, originator and manager, overseeing hundreds of closed transactions. Alex currently resides in Los Angeles and has a strong passion for design, travel, and world gastronomy.
Marlene Garza, Scholarship Coordinator
Marlene Garza received her B.A. in Political Science with minors in Latin American Studies and Chicana/o Studies from UCLA. She earned her Masters degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of San Francisco and currently works as a school counselor in Los Angeles. In addition, she is the senior class sponsor, a marathon training leader with Students Run Los Angeles and assists students with getting accepted to post-secondary education institutions. In her free time, Marlene takes her three dogs out for runs, reads motivational business books or Latin American literature, travels and frequents concerts.
Peter Avila, Vice President - University Relations
Pedro A. Avila is a legal assistant at the Law Offices of Steven J. Kaplan in Los Angeles. Pedro has worked there since his graduation from UCLA in 2010, where he earned a B.A. in History and a minor in Political Science. He has had an interest in law since his undergraduate career and is currently in the process of applying to law school. Pedro has also shown his interest in his community during his college by having an active role in Adelante, a tutoring program at UCLA, and LBSA (Latino Business Student Association).
Yadira Ortega, Vice President - Events & Programming
Yadira Ortega is a global business development and marketing professional at the law firm Milbank, Tweed, Hadley and McCloy in downtown Los Angeles. Besides a background in legal marketing, Yadi has worked in the non-profit sector providing services and advocacy for current and former foster youth and children. She also regularly consults with individual providers of professional services and non-profits about their marketing, communications and social media needs. Yadi received her B.A. in Philosophy with a minor in Public Policy from UCLA. She earned her M.B.A. in International Business abroad through City University in London, UK and Naresuan University in Bangkok, Thailand where she also obtained a certificate in Business Practices in the Asian Region.She currently resides in Pasadena and will sit on the Board of Directors for the Pasadena Junior Chamber of Commerce (2012-2014), is a member of the Legal Marketing Association, and volunteers for various educational and youth-related non-profits such as United Friends of the Children. Having traveled extensively, she has lived and worked in three countries outside the U.S.
Jose L. Vitela, President
Jose L. Vitela is a Certified Financial Planner ™ with Core Financial Partners in Venice, CA – a boutique tax and financial advisory firm. Jose is responsible for overseeing all key areas of the financial planning process for Core Financial Partners, including financial analysis, asset management, credit management, and client service. Prior to joining Core Financial Partners, Jose began his own practice in 2002 at American Express Financial Advisors (now Ameriprise) where he advised emerging business owners and executives on a variety of tax and financial planning issues. Today, Jose commits his financial expertise to helping clients reduce their income taxes, manage their investments, enhance their personal wealth, and maximize the transition of assets to future generations.Jose earned a B.A. in Economics and minors in Latin American Studies and Spanish from UCLA. He is a past Board Member of the UCLA Latino Alumni Association and a past member of the Community Advisory Board of Operation Hope. Jose grew up in Los Angeles and currently resides in Westwood, CA. His passions include running, traveling, and attending the latest modern art exhibits around the country.
20th Annual Fiesta de Inspiracion Scholarship and Alumni Awards Gala
"Celebrating Empowerment Through Education and Justice” Join us on October 27th, 2011 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. We will be awarding over 20 scholarships to deserving Latino Students and we will be honoring: Anita Ortega ’82; Captain, LAPD Hollenbeck Division - Alumna of the Year Anita is the commanding officer for the Hollenbeck Division. She is a UCLA Hall of Famer in Women’s Basketball. In her senior year she led UCLA to the Collegiate Division Championship (now the NCAA Championship) She represented Puerto Rico in the Pan Am Games and was a UCLA assistant Basketball Coach and played in the WBL prior to joining the LAPD. James Blancarte JD ’78; Partner, Alvarado Smith - Alumnus of the Year James is a legal analyst for several news stations as well a practicing entertainment. Attorney and litigator, He has represented many celebrities in high profile cases. He is a past president of the Mexican American Bar Association and sits on many boards and associations. Please contact pliniojgarciajr@gmail.com for sponsorship opportunities. For ticket information contact uclafiesta2011@yahoo.com or call 310-825-2586.