BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2012-2013
Susana Gonzalez-Colon
President
Susana Gonzalez-Colon was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. Susana is the daughter of a Buffalo longtime community leader Isaias Gonzalez and Bernarda Hernandez-Gonzalez. Susana is a graduated of Grover Cleveland High School, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Master's degree in
Human Services Administration from Buffalo State College. Susana is a retired Probation Officer for Erie County Susana’s community service dates back several years, she had been a longtime member and past president of the Hispanic Women’s League. Susana has served as Vice-President of the Hispanic Conference of Western New York, member of the Hispanic Network and on the Board of Director’s for Holy Cross Church. Susana has also volunteered at the Shea’s Buffalo Performing Arts Center as an usher.
Human Services Administration from Buffalo State College. Susana is a retired Probation Officer for Erie County Susana’s community service dates back several years, she had been a longtime member and past president of the Hispanic Women’s League. Susana has served as Vice-President of the Hispanic Conference of Western New York, member of the Hispanic Network and on the Board of Director’s for Holy Cross Church. Susana has also volunteered at the Shea’s Buffalo Performing Arts Center as an usher.
Carmen Doeseckle
Vice-President
Born and raised on the West side of Buffalo, NY, in the heart of the city,
Carmen Doeseckle (Diaz) has always been active in the Hispanic community.
She sits on the board of the Puerto Rican Day Parade of W.N.Y., the West Side
Community Center; the Hispanic Women’s League and is involved with Los Tainos Seniors. Carmen has used her position with M&T Bank to instruct the
Hispanic community in positive financing, which is much needed with today’s
shrinking economy. She is currently a Relationship Banker at the Tops-Niagara location of M&T Bank and has been employed by the bank since 1990.
Carmen Doeseckle (Diaz) has always been active in the Hispanic community.
She sits on the board of the Puerto Rican Day Parade of W.N.Y., the West Side
Community Center; the Hispanic Women’s League and is involved with Los Tainos Seniors. Carmen has used her position with M&T Bank to instruct the
Hispanic community in positive financing, which is much needed with today’s
shrinking economy. She is currently a Relationship Banker at the Tops-Niagara location of M&T Bank and has been employed by the bank since 1990.
Ellen Sullivan-Garcia
Treasurer
Ellen Sullivan-Garcia was born and raised in Snyder, New York ,
to Walter and Jane Sullivan. She is number 8 in a family of 11 children and credits her drive and accomplishments to her extraordinary mother and sisters.
She graduated from Erie Community College City Campus with an Associate
Degree in Early Childhood Development. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. Ellen spent
almost 20 years in women's health at Deaconess Family Planning Program. Switching professional gears in her 40's, she began her current career as Director of Development at Catholic Academy of West Buffalo, a Catholic elementary school on Buffalo's West
Side. She is active in many community organizations including the BISON Fund, Buffalo Prep and the Sarkin
Foundation. She has been married to Andres Garcia for almost 30 years and is the very proud mother of Melissa and step-mother to Alan and Ivette and 3 grandchildren. Her commitment to the League goes back over 25 years and is honored to take an active role in an organization that continues to nurture women in a positive manor, with emphasis
on higher education.
to Walter and Jane Sullivan. She is number 8 in a family of 11 children and credits her drive and accomplishments to her extraordinary mother and sisters.
She graduated from Erie Community College City Campus with an Associate
Degree in Early Childhood Development. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. Ellen spent
almost 20 years in women's health at Deaconess Family Planning Program. Switching professional gears in her 40's, she began her current career as Director of Development at Catholic Academy of West Buffalo, a Catholic elementary school on Buffalo's West
Side. She is active in many community organizations including the BISON Fund, Buffalo Prep and the Sarkin
Foundation. She has been married to Andres Garcia for almost 30 years and is the very proud mother of Melissa and step-mother to Alan and Ivette and 3 grandchildren. Her commitment to the League goes back over 25 years and is honored to take an active role in an organization that continues to nurture women in a positive manor, with emphasis
on higher education.
Mai-Leen Colon
Recording Secretary
Mai-leen Colon was born in New York City but was raised in Buffalo, NY. Mai-leen was raised by her mother, Rosa Ayala, and has two older sisters. Mai-leen graduated from Holy Angels Academy in 2002 and attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs until she graduated with a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology. Mai-leen attended graduate school at the State University of New York in Albany where she received her Masters in Latin American, Caribbean, and US Latino Studies with a concentration on US Latinos and political participation. Mai-leen has extensive experience working with our youth and has worked with the NYC Juvenile Justice Department in their nonsecure facilities, group homes in the Albany region, assisting pregnant and parenting teenagers, and homeless youth. Currently Mai-leen works at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County as the Bilingual Case Manager and is actively involved in her church, Renovation Church, where she works with 4th and 5th graders for their Sunday church experience.
Natalia Land
Corresponding Secretary
Natalia Land was born in Managua, Nicaragua. At age 11 her family moved to San Jose, CA. She is number 2 in a family of 4 children and very proud to be a daughter of two hard working parents (Emma & Jose Benito Lau). Her parents decided to leave their dear Nicaragua to be able to offer their children a better education and more opportunities. Seeing her parents leave their business, home, family and friends behind is what drives her to work hard for herself and her family. Natalia and her husband of 12 years, DaRand Land, decided to move to Buffalo as they felt this is a great city to race a family. Shortly after she was able to finish her Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration concentration in Management from State University of New York at Buffalo, and holds her NYS Life, Accident and Health license. Their 11 year old daugther (Alicia, born in San Jose, CA) is now officially a Buffolonian. Natalia has been an active member and board member of the league since 2007. She thanks all the phenomenal women she has meet through the league and is gratefull for their sense of sisterhood. Natalia is in charge of the league's website so if you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to send us an email.
BOARD MEMBERS
Luz Garcia
Born in Brooklyn, NY of Puerto Rican parents, her father being from Yauco and her mother from Loiza. Luz went to school in Loiza and then to high school in Bayamon where she graduated. She and her family then moved back to New York City and although having been born in Brooklyn and having graduated from high school she had go back to school to learn English.Her first step
toward bettering herself was to go to Howard Lewis Parent Center where she took computer classes and furthered her English learning. She enrolled in Erie Community College. She graduated with Clerk Typist Certificate and English as Second Language. Luz decided to pursue her career. She obtained a Associated Degree at Erie Community College. Two years later, she obtained a Bachelors Degree at D’Youville College.
toward bettering herself was to go to Howard Lewis Parent Center where she took computer classes and furthered her English learning. She enrolled in Erie Community College. She graduated with Clerk Typist Certificate and English as Second Language. Luz decided to pursue her career. She obtained a Associated Degree at Erie Community College. Two years later, she obtained a Bachelors Degree at D’Youville College.
Dora R. Espulgas
Alicia Granto-Estenoz
Alicia Granto-Estenoz was born and raised in Santiago, Cuba. She was a counselor and academic advisor at SUNY College at Buffalo. She has a Masters degree from Long Island University in Education/Counseling and Bilingual Education, and a Bachelor of Science from Empire State College in Educational Studies. Alicia has a teaching, administration , and counseling background and amongst many area commitments has been or is: co-chair of the Education Committee of the WNY Hispanic and Friends Civic Association.
Member of the Board of Directors of Los Tainos Senior Citizens. Both the community and SUNY College awards have acknowledged Alicia’s work in the community. Area awards include Lamba Upsilon Lambda, La Unidad Latina, “For her dedication and commitment to the Hispanic Community” and the Hispanic Network of Western New York, “Most Inspiring Role Model.”
In February 2004 she was inducted into the Women of Color Community Builders of Western New York Uncrowned Queens. Since January 1995 Alicia has taught at Bennett High School and has been nominated by her students for the “Excellence in Teaching Award”. Alicia teaches evenings at the Elmwood Franklin Achieve Enrichment Program and twice a year she offers teaching strategies workshops for fellow Language teachers.
Member of the Board of Directors of Los Tainos Senior Citizens. Both the community and SUNY College awards have acknowledged Alicia’s work in the community. Area awards include Lamba Upsilon Lambda, La Unidad Latina, “For her dedication and commitment to the Hispanic Community” and the Hispanic Network of Western New York, “Most Inspiring Role Model.”
In February 2004 she was inducted into the Women of Color Community Builders of Western New York Uncrowned Queens. Since January 1995 Alicia has taught at Bennett High School and has been nominated by her students for the “Excellence in Teaching Award”. Alicia teaches evenings at the Elmwood Franklin Achieve Enrichment Program and twice a year she offers teaching strategies workshops for fellow Language teachers.
Lucy Candelario
Born and raised in Buffalo NY, Lucy Candelario graduated from
GroverCleveland High School; she also attended the University of Buffalo
where she received her Bachelors of Arts Degree. She has been the Executive Director of the West Side Community Services for the past 17 years where her work includes providing human service programs to the residents of the Niagara District. Lucy’s community service involvement includes serving as a member of the board of trustees for Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network, Inc. where she served as Board Secretary and is currently Board Vice President, TheCommunity Action Organization and MUDPIES Children Museum. Lucy’s favorite quote is “The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or touched – they must be felt with the heart” ~ Helen Keller~
GroverCleveland High School; she also attended the University of Buffalo
where she received her Bachelors of Arts Degree. She has been the Executive Director of the West Side Community Services for the past 17 years where her work includes providing human service programs to the residents of the Niagara District. Lucy’s community service involvement includes serving as a member of the board of trustees for Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network, Inc. where she served as Board Secretary and is currently Board Vice President, TheCommunity Action Organization and MUDPIES Children Museum. Lucy’s favorite quote is “The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or touched – they must be felt with the heart” ~ Helen Keller~
Margarita Rivera
Francesca Mesiah
Francesca B. Mesiah, Manager, is Community Outreach and Advocacy in the Community Health Department at Kaleida Health (KH). She is responsible for leading KH system-wide community outreach programs and services. This includes collaborating with departments and clinical managers across KH to accomplish outreach objectives and participate in evaluating outreach programming. In addition, she is responsible for leading the development and implementation of child health advocacy strategies, including maintaining internal and external customer relationships, open communication on child health needs with Legislators and other key stakeholders. In addition, she’s the Executive Director of Near East and West Side Task Force. The NEWS TF is a collaboration of two organizations that represented two neighborhoods of poverty in the City ofBuffalo, onepredominately African American and the otherLatino.Francesca has a Master of Science from SUNYAB, and BA Degree in Sociology and Urban Planning from SUNY Albany and graduate from the NYS DOH Administrative Fellowship Program. She’s held positions in marketing, public relations and communications at the Community Foundation of Western New York; and the Erie County Industrial Development Agency. She served as Analyst at the New York State Legislative Research. She is Vice President of NAACP Buffalo Branch, member WNY Hispanic & Friends, Leadership Buffalo, Salvation Army, and serves on several Advisory Boards. She’s a member of St. John Baptist Church, where she serves on the Health Ministry.
Dr. Eleanor Paterson
Dr. Eleanor Paterson is the Director of the ESL Student Support Center and Adjunct Assistant Professor of ESL at Erie Community College. She received her Ph.D. in Research and Evaluation in Bilingual Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo and is the recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Professional Service. Dr. Paterson is an active member of several community organizations aimed at improving education and the quality of life of the Hispanic community, the West and East Sides, and the greater Buffalo area in general. She serves as a board member on the City of Buffalo Board of Ethics, Hispanics United of Buffalo, and the Hispanic Women’s League, Inc. A founding member of the Latino Branch of the International Lions Club, Dr. Paterson is also a member of the Hispanic Alliance, the Near East and West Side Task Force, and Western New York Hispanics and Friends Civic Association. She has had papers published and has given many presentations on code-switching, bilingual education, and innovative programming.
Blanca Rodriguez
Born in Cayey, Puerto Rico, Blanca came to Buffalo in search of a better life for herself and family. She is the mother of 6 children, a grandmother and great
grandmother to many children. Blanca is a long time HWL Boardmember
and past President of the Hispanic Women's League on several occasions. Blanca also holds the priviledge of being one of the original members of the league. Blanca is one of the fist Puerto Rican women in the City of Buffalo that became a community advocate helping newly arrived families settle into there new life in Buffalo and Western New York. Throughout her life she has been a trail blazer and mentor to many women. Her work career extends from working with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and once she retired from HUD she choose to move on to her next career working for Erie County's Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). Today Blanca is surrounded by family and loved ones as she enjoying her time off.
grandmother to many children. Blanca is a long time HWL Boardmember
and past President of the Hispanic Women's League on several occasions. Blanca also holds the priviledge of being one of the original members of the league. Blanca is one of the fist Puerto Rican women in the City of Buffalo that became a community advocate helping newly arrived families settle into there new life in Buffalo and Western New York. Throughout her life she has been a trail blazer and mentor to many women. Her work career extends from working with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and once she retired from HUD she choose to move on to her next career working for Erie County's Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). Today Blanca is surrounded by family and loved ones as she enjoying her time off.
