children’s book author, she writes stories rooted in identity, representation, and belonging.

From a young age, Kathryn has worked closely with children and youth, helping them uncover their strengths, recognize their potential, and define their own purpose. Her work is grounded in the belief that when young people understand who they are and what they’re capable of, they naturally turn outward and give back to their communities. This cycle of empowerment and service is at the heart of everything she does.

Kathryn is also the founder and CEO of LeLo Consulting, a business development and marketing agency that helps organizations elevate their voice, strengthen their strategy, and grow with clarity and intention. Her own journey as a first-generation professional fuels her mission. She understands what it means to build a path without a blueprint, and she is committed to ensuring that Latiné youth can create futures defined by choice, confidence, and opportunity. With a B.S. in Conflict Resolution from Portland State University, Kathryn brings heart, strategy, and vision to every space she leads.

diverse communities. Much of her work has taken place in Hispanic neighborhoods throughout the Northwest, where she has led grassroots educational initiatives rooted in cultural respect, community building, and youth empowerment. In addition to her classroom expertise, Kathryn has played a significant leadership role in the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program, coordinating efforts at the county, state, and regional levels. Through this work, she has trained mentors, designed youth development activities, and supported transformative programs that help young people strengthen their character, build capacity, and see themselves as agents of change in their communities.

Exitosa and El Arte de la Realización Personal. Her work reflects both lived experience and a deep commitment to empowering individuals, especially women and emerging leaders; to lead with confidence, clarity, and cultural pride.Lucy is the founder of Lucy Escobar Coaching & Consulting LLC, where she partners with nonprofits and mission-driven organizations to support strategic planning, leadership development, and organizational alignment. She brings to the board a people-first leadership approach, strong strategic insight, and deep experience in mentorship, education, and community engagement.She is also the founder of the Oregon Book Fair (Feria del Libro) and an active civic and community leader, having served on boards and commissions focused on education, business development, and community impact. In addition, Lucy is the creator of leadership initiatives including Self-Mastery Academy, the Women’s Mastermind Circle, and several strategic planning and coaching labs.Lucy is deeply committed to advancing opportunities for Latinx youth and families and contributes a thoughtful, equity-centered perspective that strengthens governance, leadership development, and long-term organizational impact.

by Intel as a senior process engineer. She had a successful and well-respected career at Intel but she didn’t feel fulfilled. So on Sept 30, 2024, Shi courageously left the corporate world to pursue her calling as an event planner, storyteller, and advocate for empowerment.

Dr. Shi Choong is the founder and creative force behind Women Who Dare, an annual gathering dedicated to celebrating courage, amplifying women’s voices, and building inclusive community. Shi’s journey of self-love is equally inspiring. For years, she struggled with body image due to societal pressures around age, size, and appearance. After a long inner battle, she chose to face that challenge head-on. She began modeling, organizing inclusive photoshoots, and using her voice to promote beauty in all its forms regardless of age, size, gender, and cultural backgrounds.

Through her company, Event Planner Shi LLC, Shi designs events that weave precision with artistry--from intercultural weddings and sustainable fashion shows to large-scale community gatherings. Her journey from academia to entrepreneurship has been defined by resilience, reinvention, and a deep belief in the power of authentic storytelling.

Shi is also the host of Ignite with Shi, a YouTube channel and storytelling platform where she shares personal stories of resilience and invites others to reflect on the sparks that ignite transformation in their own lives.

As a board member of Empower Youth Latinx, through meaningful events, Shi hopes to create a safe and inspiring space for the youths to find their voices, ignite courage and navigate through challenges in life. 

of Arts degree in Elementary Education, a Master of Education degree in Multicultural/Bilingual Education, and a Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in bilingual education. She began her professional experience as a bilingual second grade teacher in South Phoenix then shifted her focus to teacher education when she was hired at Mesa Community College as Residential Education Faculty. She has served in numerous leadership roles, including Education Studies Department Chair, Chair of MCC's Department Chair Association, Education Instructional Council and Articulation Task Force Chair, Guanajuato and Xalapa Study Abroad Director, Teachers of Language Learners Learning Community Grant Project Administrator, Dean of Innovative Learning and Academic Support, President of Arizona Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (AZ TESOL), Vice Provost for the MCC Red Mountain Campus, Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Grant Administrator, College Academic Officer, and currently serves as a board member for The Human Potential Center and Empower Youth Latinx. Nora is happily married to her high school sweetheart, cherishes time spent with family, relishes her daily yoga, and enjoys opportunities to go hiking.

families, helping them navigate compassionateconversations when addressing difficult relationships. She is a psychotherapist, trained in the Cognitive BehaviorTherapy Model from Pacific University, where she earned her Master of Art. She is the principal of Leocadia Consultingand an Associate with LACE Oregon. Leocadia is from the Dominican Republic, where she earned a law degree andserved as a prosecutor. She loves spending time with her husband and their three boys.

Olympics, the KEY Club, and the Oregon Leadership Institute (OLI). Since returning to the Beaverton area in 2017, she has remained an active community member. Neidel completed her higher education at San Jose State University and National Hispanic University, and she looks forward to leveraging her connections and contributions as a member of the board of directors.