Our Team
LatinoBuilt’s staff is made up of friendly, talented and committed team members working to expand opportunities to the Latino construction community.
Meet the Team
Edith Quiroz
Interim Executive Director
Edith Quiroz
Celene Sumereau
Operations Director
Celene Sumereau
As Director of Operations at LatinoBuilt, I lead with a deep passion for building community, creating efficient systems, and empowering small businesses to thrive, I’m known for my detail-oriented and organized approach, balanced by a people-first mindset and a love for making things fun and engaging. Whether coordinating large-scale initiatives, streamlining internal processes, or creating welcoming spaces for entrepreneurs to grow—I’m driven by purpose, inclusion, and impact.
Originally from Maryland, I spent 10 years in Baltimore working at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. I proudly organized Baltimore Innovation Week five years in a row, each year increasing attendance, engagement, and impact. In 2021, I was honored as one of Technical.ly’s Top 25 RealLIST Connectors, recognized for my role in strengthening the local innovation and small business ecosystem.
My journey into nonprofit operations is rooted in a diverse career spanning event management, startup ecosystems, and restaurant leadership, all unified by a mission to make growth accessible, sustainable, and joyful.
In 2021, I took an opportunity to live vanlife and work remotely for 2 years, which broadened my perspective on flexibility, resilience, and creative problem-solving. That journey eventually brought me to Portland, OR, where I connected with LatinoBuilt and found a meaningful opportunity to support Latino-owned construction businesses through capacity-building, community events, and strategic operations.
José Balcázar
Program Director
Jose Balcazar
With more than 15 years of experience as a business advisor with the Small Business Development Centers and a strong background as a business owner, Jose understands the unique challenges faced by Latino-owned construction businesses. His commitment to their success is unwavering, and he remains just an email or phone call away to offer guidance.
A proud U.S. Army and Air Force veteran, Jose brings discipline, dedication, and a deep sense of service to his work, ensuring that the businesses he supports have the tools and knowledge they need to thrive.
Salathiel Reyes
Office Coordinator
Salathiel Reyes
English
Salathiel Reyes is the Office Coordinator at LatinoBuilt, helping ensure smooth daily operations while supporting the organization’s mission of strengthening connections across the Latino construction community. He brings a strong passion for community building and collaboration, working closely with members and partners to create meaningful opportunities for success.
MJ Morales Cavanagh
Training Coordinator
MJ Morales Cavanagh
MJ is LatinoBuilt’s Training Coordinator. She is a graduate of Oregon State University and have spent most of her career working with non-profits. MJ has always valued community work; her community supported her growing up and now MJ wants to do the same for others. When it comes to her work as the Training Coordinator, MJ’s favorite part is learning alongside the contractors in classes and talking with them afterwards. Whether it’s improving her Spanish or a recommendation for a good dessert place, MJ loves getting to learn and talk with anyone that comes through LatinoBuilt’s doors. Outside of work she’ll likely be watching Bob’s Burgers with her pet snake and cat or working on art projects.
Christian J. Vásquez Rivera
Green Program Manager
Christian J. Vásquez Rivera
Christian Vázquez Rivera is the Green Program Manager at LatinoBuilt, where he oversees green program staff and supports the planning, coordination, and implementation of LatinoBuilt’s energy-efficiency and sustainability programs. His work includes program operations, contractor coordination, homeowner support, outreach, reporting, and cross-program collaboration for initiatives such as Nuestro Hogar and Energy Trust-related programs.
Originally from Puerto Rico, Christian is a native Spanish speaker and bilingual in English. He brings a community-centered, culturally responsive, and relationship-driven approach to his work, helping ensure that LatinoBuilt’s programs are accessible, clear, and grounded in the needs of the communities they serve.
In his role, Christian supports Latino contractors as they connect with opportunities in the green economy, while also helping homeowners and families access trusted information, energy-efficiency resources, and program support. His work is rooted in collaboration, service, and practical problem-solving, with a focus on building stronger systems, supporting his team, and advancing LatinoBuilt’s mission to strengthen Latino-owned businesses and create long-term community impact.
Nelson Lanham
Green Program
Coordinator
Nelson Lanham
Hi, I’m Nelson L., Green Program Coordinator at LatinoBuilt’s Nuestro Hogar Programa. I explored many jobs before finding my path in construction, where I started working as a carpenter (framer). That hands-on experience taught me a lot and eventually led me to take on a project management role after stepping in as a translator on-site — helping bridge communication gaps within our Latino community.
Now that I’ve gained a solid foundation in home building, I’m expanding my vision into real estate, with a focus on multi-family development. I’m passionate about learning, growing, and finding new ways to support and uplift myself and community
Alondra Flores Aviña
Community Energy Navigator
Alondra Flores Aviña
Alondra is passionate about community engagement and believes meaningful change begins by listening, building connections, and recognizing the strengths that already exist within communities. She believes communities are the experts in their own experiences, and that relationships are an important part of creating lasting impact.
Her work has been shaped by her background in sustainability, community development, and education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Community Development with a focus in Civic Leadership from Portland State University.
As the Community Energy Navigator at LatinoBuilt, Alondra is excited to support community members by connecting them with programs and resources that improve the comfort, health, and energy efficiency of their homes. She looks forward to building relationships and helping make resources more accessible to the communities she serves.
Outside of work, Alondra enjoys reading, baking, lifting weights, and exploring local coffee shops.
Aaron Osorio
Home Energy Assessor
Aaron Osorio
English:
Aaron Osorio is a Home Energy Assessor at LatinoBuilt, where he conducts Home Energy Assessments and manages Community Partner Funding submissions through Energy Trust of Oregon, helping homeowners access no-cost and incentivized upgrades like heat pumps, insulation, and weatherization. He holds his BPI Building Science Principles certification and is working toward several additional credentials. Outside of work, Aaron loves hiking and spending time outdoors, traveling.
Spanish:
Aaron Osorio es Evaluador de Energia del Hogar en LatinoBuilt, donde realiza Evaluaciones de Energia del Hogar y gestiona las solicitudes de Community Partner Funding a traves de Energy Trust of Oregon, ayudando a propietarios de vivienda a acceder a mejoras sin costo e incentivadas como bombas de calor, aislamiento y climatizacion. Cuenta con su certificacion BPI Building Science Principles y trabaja actualmente para obtener credenciales adicionales. Fuera del trabajo, a Aaron le encanta hacer senderismo y pasar tiempo al aire libre, y viajando.
Chris Hughes
Membership & Community Engagement Manager
Chris Hughes
Chris holds a degree in Community Development from Portland State University and has spent the past decade working in nonprofit membership, philanthropy, and community programming. At Belize Arch, he facilitated Participatory Action Research, supporting rural Belizean communities as they identified and pursued their own goals on their own terms. As Membership Manager at Lan Su Chinese Garden, he led the most successful membership growth period in the organization’s history, while expanding AANHPI membership, and increasing Asian self-representation in the garden’s programs and community.
At the heart of Chris’s work is a passion for equity, authentic community building, and creating places where people can connect, learn, and become empowered.
Outside work, Chris enjoys Argentine tango, playing piano, time outdoors, reading, and game nights with friends.
Javier Urenda Camacho
Business Development & Technical Assistance Coordinator
Javier Urencha Camacho
English:
Javier Urenda Camacho is LatinoBuilt’s Business Development & Technical Assistance Coordinator. Born and raised in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico, Javier earned his degree in Civil Engineering from the Technological Institute of Tepic before dedicating his career to supporting communities through nonprofit organizations.
With a strong background in the construction industry, Javier works closely with contractors and small business owners to provide technical assistance, business development support, and resources that help them grow with confidence. He is especially passionate about serving Latino, minority, and underserved entrepreneurs, believing that when businesses succeed, families and communities thrive alongside them.
Javier’s favorite part of his work is building relationships with business owners and seeing their ideas become successful businesses. He understands that building and growing a business takes dedication and perseverance, and he believes every step along the journey creates opportunities to learn, grow, and build a stronger future. His goal is to ensure that business owners have the tools, knowledge, and support they need to reach their goals.
Outside of work, Javier enjoys spending time with his family, staying connected to his community, and continuing to learn new ways to support entrepreneurs and strengthen the construction industry.
Español:
Board of Directors
TREASURER
Berenice Lopez
H.E.L.P. Group
Berenice Lopez
Berenice Lopez-Dorsey is the owner and co-founder of Home Energy Life Performance (H.E.L.P.) Group, Inc and Move-In Ready LLC in Portland, OR. She’s certified in BPI Envelope and Building Analysis, Lead Renovation, PRCS and PTCS Duct Seals, Property Management, OSHA 10, and an MBE & WBE certified business owner with over 25 years of industry experience. As the founder and mentor of several successful businesses related to weatherization, energy, seismic, and retrofitting, Lopez-Dorsey is passionate about sustainable development and helping the greater Latino community find success in the Portland area. Dedicated to “creating a better world, one green home at a time,” she sees herself reducing carbon footprints, creating living-wage Oregon jobs, and developing pathways to success for other Latino contractors. A strong mentor for minority and small business owners, Lopez-Dorsey has dedicated her time to philanthropic pursuits like Constructing Hope, Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc., and Milagro Theater. Outside of her professional pursuits, Lopez-Dorsey enjoys traveling, dancing, laughing and developing her AirBnBs in Astoria, Oregon.
SECRETARY
Jennie Rodriguez
Twirl Advertising & Design
Jennie Rodriguez
Jennie Rodriguez is co-owner and founder of Twirl Advertising and Design, LLC. Jennie brings over 25 years of integrated marketing experience across a broad range of retail and B2B clients. Her attention to detail and creative flair sets the tone as a creative director/account service for this small creative shop. Rodriguez is a native of Chicago and earned her degree at Columbia College. She has an agency background in general and multicultural markets. Her experience has allowed her to develop a vast array of skills within a variety of fields, including publishing and marketing to advertising and design to events and philanthropic work. Rodriguez began her career as a graphic designer, then moved into publication, advertising, and marketing. She has managed creative staff and produced marketing campaigns from concept through completion for broadcast, print, digital, direct mail, POP and outdoor. She worked as associate creative director for Jordan Tamraz Caruso Advertising, a $100 million agency and the San Jose Group, where she earned awards for print and television. Rodriguez is committed to social causes and currently, serves on several non-profit boards in Portland. As part of Twirl, she has won Golden Trumpet Awards, Summit International Creative Awards, Minority Business of the Year, and IABC Bronze Quill Awards.
Jennie is of Puerto Rican descent and enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys wine-tasting, live music, corny jokes, and traveling to places like Puerto Rico, Victoria Island and the coast with her husband Victor, the other half of Twirl.
Alejandro Guerra
My Oregon Painting Inc.
Alejandro Guerra
Alejandro Guerra is General Manager of My Oregon Painting, Inc. Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, Guerra has called Oregon home since the age of 12. He is fueled by a passion for entrepreneurship, a hunger for knowledge, and a determination to turn information in action. Guerra strives to foster long-term relationships with those he meets and enjoys engaging in philanthropic efforts with his community.
Rosa Martinez
Past Board President
Rosa Martinez
Rosa Martinez is the President of Professional Minority Group (PMG), Inc., and has been involved in Pacific Northwest Asbestos Abatement for the past seventeen years as a seasoned construction management professional. Originally from California, Martinez moved to Oregon in 1997, where she built her Abatement business. A mother of three, Martinez is a Hispanic and female business owner in the Hazardous Materials industry. She is a State Certified AHERA Asbestos Building Inspector and AHERA Accredited Project Designer for Asbestos. Outside of work, Martinez serves on multiple philanthropic boards, including the Commissioner Hardesty Small Business Council, the Safe Build Alliance, the National Association of Minority Contractors, the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, the DEQ Rulemaking Advisory Committee, and Governor Kate Brown’s Small Business Advisory Cabinet. Martinez has been recognized as the 2013 BDI Minority Contractor of the Year, the 2016 Bravo Award for Latino Business, and as a 2016 DJC Oregon Women of Vision.
JOIN OUR BOARD
Are you passionate about creating change in your community and ensuring equal opportunities for all? We are a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the success of Latino-owned construction businesses. As a member of our Board of Directors, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of business owners in our community and help fill the construction pipeline.
We’re seeking driven and committed individuals to join our Board and help us further our mission. Together, let’s build a better future for all. #juntosadelante