Manuel Hidalgo, Executive Director
Ivania Teran, Executive Assistant
Leda Hernandez, Director of Finance and Administration
Rosana Sandoval, Financial and Human Resource Specialist
Angelica Rufino, Bilingual Receptionist
Mark Reyes, Director of Development
Ash Kosiewicz, Development and Communications Manager
Kate Drew, Evaluation Manager
Christine Baumann, Façade Program Director
Trisha Clauson, Director of Small Business Development
Rob Vickers, Director of Lending
Charlene Van Dijk, Senior Microloan Manager
Alba Bautista, Microfinance Loan Officer
David White, Microfinance Loan Officer
Ryan Bailey, Microfinance Loan Manager
Carlos Arango, Small Business Program Manager
Paula Sternberg, Microfinance Loan Officerr
Yvette Zaragoza, Business Program Manager
Emily Coronado, Outreach Manager
Digna Nolasco, Office Manager, Maryland
Christina Stockamore, Outreach and Training Manager
Manuel Ochoa, Director of Regional Homeownership
Marcia Camilo, Bilingual Housing Counselor
Wendy Alvarenga, Senior Bilingual Default/Foreclosure Housing Counselor
Patricia Belbusti, Bilingual Default/Foreclosure Housing Counselor
Beatriz Zapata, Bilingual Default/Foreclosure Housing Counselor
Jose Rodriguez, Bilingual Housing Counselor
Farah Fosse, Director of Affordable Housing Preservation
Anna Duncan, Tenant Organizer

Manuel Hidalgo, Executive Director, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Manuel Hidalgo has served as Executive Director of the Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) in Washington, D.C since May 2005. Manuel has over 18 years of experience in the field of community development and advocacy. In the Washington area, Manuel has served as Interim Executive Director of the Spanish Catholic Center, Director of Development at CASA of Maryland, and YouthBuild Program Manager at the Latin American Youth Center. He currently serves as Vice President of the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development’s Board of Directors and was recently elected to the Nonprofit Roundtable’s Board of Directors and the Wheaton-Kensington Chamber of Commerce.  Manny also serves on the Advisory Committees of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute and the Wheaton Redevelopment Program and is a founding member of the DC Coalition for Community Investment and the National Capital Immigrant Coalition. He is a graduate of the 2005 Class of the Georgetown Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership, the 2007 Class of Leadership Greater Washington, and the 2008 Class of the Nonprofit Roundtable Fellowship Program.  Manny has a Bachelors degree in History from Georgetown University and a Masters degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from Florida International University.  Originally from Miami, Florida, Manny is a second generation Cuban American who has published several articles about Cuba in various academic journals and newspapers.  His long term career goal is to form a microenterprise development program in Cuba.  He lives with his wife and four children in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Leda Hernández, Director of Finance and Administration, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

As Director of Finance and Administration at LEDC, Leda Hernández is responsible for all bookkeeping and procurement activities, managing and reconciling all bank accounts, and preparing financial reports for internal and external use. Leda has been working at LEDC in this capacity for the past ten years. Prior to joining LEDC in June 1998 she worked for the City Tavern Association where she served as an accountant. She received a B.S. in Accounting with a minor in Business Management from Strayer University in 1997. Leda says “my observation and experience of the under-representation in the government and the poor quality of life that is prevalent in so many communities has inspired me to consider the role I can play in making changes in these situations.” Leda serves the community with passion. She volunteers her time on Fiesta DC’s Board of Directors and enjoys partaking in DC’s various cultural activities.

Angelica Rufino, Bilingual Receptionist This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Angelica is LEDC’s face—the receptionist at our DC headquarters. She greets and helps everyone who walks through our doors. She is the first person you’ll speak with when you call the organization and she makes sure callers get directed to the person they desire to speak with. She also is responsible for helping the staff when they have office meetings, booking the conference room, and making sure everyone has all the office supplies they desire. She is well-suited for this role, having learned from her retail and other non-profit experience to listen to people in order to identify what kind of assistance they need, and how to refer them to other places that better suit their needs--an essential skill in LEDC so we can find out which of our various departments would be best for a client. Angelica likes seeing our mission come true and seeing our clients understand that with a positive attitude, things that seemed unreachable can be achieved. When she’s not working, Angelica enjoys reading novels and the newspaper. She also enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.

Mark Reyes, Director of Development This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mark brings to LEDC ten years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Mark recently received his MBA, with a focus in nonprofit management, from Yale School of Management in New Haven, CT. Prior to graduate school, Mark was the Development Coordinator at the Audre Lorde Project, a community organizing center for LGBT people of color. Previously, Mark had been the Executive Director of a LGBT health and wellness organization in the Bronx, NY. He is excited to be working with an organization that has such direct impact on our communities. Mark is glad to be part of the team that helps LEDC reach its mission. As Director of Development, Mark manages all of LEDC’s fundraising activities and supervises LEDC’s program evaluation and communication/marketing. Mark loves reading, spending time with friends, dancing, capoeira, tennis and squash.

Ash Kosiewicz, Development and Communications Manager This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ash Kosiewicz joined the LEDC team in August 2009 after graduating from Georgetown's School of Foreign Service with a Master's Degree in Latin American Studies. Ash entered the world of communications advocacy and fundraising in 2004, traveling to Guayaquil, Ecuador to work with a local foundation and rice farmers to raise funds for the construction of a health center in the rural canton of Santa Lucia. Ash returned from Ecuador and worked for two years as development associate and communications director at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. During graduate school, he traveled to Lima, Peru and worked with the Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team to help the organization expand its communications toolbox through the incorporation of information communication technology (ICT) tools, including blogs, vlogs, and other electronic communications. Ash enjoys how communications advocacy allows him to fuse his two passions - human rights and journalism - and is excited to continue his work with community-based organizations. As Development and Communications Manager, Ash manages LEDC's external communications and supports the work of the Development Director. Ash loves to play basketball, learn about his Polish heritage, follow Latin American politics, and is an avid watcher of Sunday news programs.

Kate Drew, Manager of Evaluation This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kate Drew is LEDC’s Manager of Communications and Evaluation. Before beginning with LEDC in October, 2006, Kate was involved with many different projects and organizations where she learned how to do things that she does everyday at LEDC. At Cornell University, Kate got a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Communication and Development Sociology. There she learned how to communicate about changes in a community, which is the essence of what she does with LEDC. Kate also studied abroad in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where she volunteered with a microfinance lending project. Kate is thrilled to do what she can to make LEDC’s vision come true, and to make DC a more equitable and diverse place. But more than that, Kate loves getting other people involved with making our vision a reality. In her free time, Kate loves to read, listen to alt-indie rock and Broadway show tunes, and explore DC.

Christine Baumann, Façade Program Director This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Before Christine started managing LEDC’s Façade Improvement Program, she worked for two different housing construction projects in El Salvador after thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed from earthquakes. She has also helped organize community groups, such as a parent committee for the construction of a new school in her Peace Corps site, youth groups and women’s groups in El Salvador. Most currently, she managed projects which provided technical assistance in farming practices to small & medium-sized farmers and microprocessors to increase their sales and incomes. In managing all details of the Façade Improvement Program, from the design to the final construction of new storefronts, Christine is thrilled to help small business owners. She believes in helping small business owners grow their businesses so they can improve the quality of life for their children and families. For fun, Christine likes to run, sing and read.

Trisha Clauson, Director of Small Business Development This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Trisha Clauson drove cross-country from Seattle, Washington in August 2006 to join the LEDC staff as the Business Training Manager. She now oversees the Small Business Development Department, after having also worked as the Local First Program Manager. Prior to working at LEDC, she served as a Small Business Development Peace Corps Volunteer in Sacatepequez, Guatemala, where she developed a micro-enterprise development program at a local artisan training center while perfecting her tortilla-making skills. She has also worked in international trade at Da Vinci Gourmet, a flavored syrup manufacturer that is distributed worldwide. She is excited to combine her passion for entrepreneurship and development and finds great satisfaction in patronizing her client’s businesses, whether eating schwarma from a street vendor or getting her hair cut at Salon Camila. In her spare time, Trisha goes outside. She loves hiking, camping and competing in adventure races.

Rob Vickers, Director of Lending This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Rob Vickers joined LEDC as the Senior Loan Manager in April 2006 with the goal of expanding LEDC’s microlending program to reach the many underserved clients in the greater DC metro area. Rob is most excited to be working directly with entrepreneurs to provide hands-on technical assistance and education along with access to microloans. Rob provides credit counseling, financial statement and business plan support, and microloans with the goal of having a real impact on the client’s knowledge and thus their bottom line. Rob has a Masters of Business Administration from George Mason University and an undergraduate degree in International Relations and Spanish from Bucknell University. He has more than 10 years of experience in the public and private sectors. Before joining LEDC, Rob spent 5 years with the World Bank implementing innovative microfinance projects, as well as a year consulting on small business projects for the International Finance Corporation. He has worked in the field throughout Latin America with small businesses, non-profit institutions and governments to ensure project sustainability. In his spare time, Rob enjoys writing music on the piano and guitar, improvisational acting, and tennis.

Alba Bautista, Microfinance Loan Officer This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

As the loan officer, Alba Bautista works with local entrepreneurs and promotes growth within small business through microloans. Alba works with small businesses at all stages of growth, providing credit counseling and financial statement and business plan support when necessary. Alba recently finished a Masters in International Affairs from the University of California-San Diego where she specialized in Economic Development in the region of Latin America. After completing her undergraduate degree in Economics at UCLA, Alba provided accounting and administration to departments comprising the International Institute at UCLA. She has past experience working in the international and domestic microfinance in the areas of consulting and monitoring and evaluation. When Alba is not doing the underwriting for small businesses, she likes to go on long hikes, travel, listen to live music, and doing yoga.

In the summer of 2008, Charlene began working with LEDC as the Loan Administrator, and she learned the ins and outs of the lending department, and got to know all the loan clients who are working with LEDC. Now working as a loan officer, Charlene meets with clients to understand their businesses and determine whether or not providing them with a loan will help or hinder the success of their business. She is excited to give out LEDC’s credit-building loans, which will help people learn how to manage and create a strong credit history, and eventually enable them to access credit from a bank or credit union. Charlene came to LEDC after extensive experience living and studying abroad in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Santiago, Chile. Also, she Latin American Political Economy at Georgetown University’s Center for Latin American Studies, where she took classes on development and microfinance while getting her graduate degree through the School of Foreign Service. Also, she wrote her undergraduate thesis on a development program in Puerto Rico during the 1950s called La Division de Educacion de la Comunidad (DIVEDCO), which was based on community education focused on industrialization and the changing Puerto Rican economy. When she’s not at LEDC, she enjoys cooking (especially Chilean cuisine), yoga, and occasionally, she has been known to knit.

David White, Microfinance Loan Officer This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

David White brings diverse experiences to the role of Microfinance Portfolio Manager. His Accounting degree from the University of Indianapolis allows him to understand the framework of the micro-lending program. More recently, he put his business background into practice as a Community Economic Development Agent in the Peace Corps in Costa Rica, where, in a small rural community, he led the development of a locally-managed micro-credit bank, worked closely with small business owners on improving the performance of their businesses, and taught stay-in-school and personal economics classes to students, among other projects. David spends his days working with LEDC small business clients from the time their loan from LEDC is approved until the loan is completely repaid. David also maintains close contact with clients to ensure that LEDC receives timely payment on loans. David is happy to be a part of making LEDC’s mission come true through the micro-lending program because he can positively affect individuals and families that often times need the most help, in ways that ultimately go beyond the development of their small business. Beyond LEDC, David loves to play basketball. He also likes to cook, paint and draw, and take Latin dance classes.

Carlos Arango, Small Business Program Manager This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

As Small Business Program Manager, Carlos works closely with small businesses owners in Maryland and Virginia to turn their business ideas into reality and connects them with LEDC's growing microloan program. Meeting with clients on a daily basis, Carlos organizes a weekly "How to Start a Business" seminar for entrepreneurs, helping them understand the numbers behind a successful business - including cash flow statements, balance sheets, and profit and loss calculations. An industrial engineer with a specialization in Economics, Carlos joined LEDC in Fall 2009 and is currently completing a Master's Degree in Economics from John Hopkins University. Carlos enjoys working with people from diverse backgrounds; as a Latino living in the U.S., Carlos understands the challenges of being an immigrant and feels proud to work in a place that understands the immigrant experience and works to open doors of opportunity for all immigrant communities. In his free time, Carlos enjoys vegetarian cooking, ultimate frisbee, hiking, and taking long walks in the city. Carlos' favorite reading subject is history.

Paula Sternberg, Local First Program Manager This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

As Local First Program Manager, Paula manages the Buy Local Silver Spring and Local First Wheaton campaigns. Paula joined LEDC in 2009 after first working with the organization as a volunteer. A graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in Latin American Studies and political philosophy, Paula worked for one year at the International Rescue Committee and another year at the Structured Employment and Economic Development Corporation. Paula cherishes her experiences as an interpreter and advocate for victims of human trafficking that now greatly color her appreciation for the complex challenges facing small businesses. Paula’s campaigns aim to organize local business owners, residents, and other stakeholders to market and promote locally-owned businesses and the benefits of buying local. Paula is excited to be part of an organization that helps people realize their aspirations in ways that they might have not imagined possible in the past. In her free time, Paula loves to practice yoga, learn languages, and volunteer to help youth develop writing skills.

Yvette Zaragoza, Business Program Manager This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Yvette Zaragoza provides technical assistance to small business owners to improve their financial management, marketing and operations. She also advises people who have a good business idea or a special ability that can be translated into a viable business. Finally, she gives low-cost or free courses on these subjects. Yvette studied industrial engineering in Peru and has a Master's degree in Business with concentration in Finance and International Development at American University in DC. Since Yvette was little, she has been involved in business. Her parents have a medium-sized enterprise, as do most of her relatives too. After completing her Master's, she and her husband, along with other family members, opened a restaurant in Arlington. Although things have gone very well, Yvette has faced many of the same daily problems faced by many of her clients. In LEDC, Yvette wants to contribute to the success of many talented, creative and hardworking Latinos who come to this country hoping to realize many of their dreams. On a personal level, she wants to stay in touch with the Latin culture and people, and hopes they will be an important and positive force in the DC area. Like a good Latina, one of her favorite activities is eating well. Yvette enjoys the influence of the different cuisines in this area. She also loves to be in touch with nature by hiking, camping and climbing.

Emily Coronado, Outreach Manager This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

As Outreach Manager in LEDC’s DC office Emily Coronado works between programs to organize efforts around client outreach and marketing. She promotes LEDC’s services among other organizations and institutions, develops web and promotional materials, keeps past clients informed about upcoming classes and coordinates LEDC’s presence at community events. Her experience establishing Project ABC, a non-governmental organization based in the Dominican Republic, combined with her experience managing programs for domestic nonprofits has prepared her to work in the dynamic environment of local community development. Emily is a graduate of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs where she earned her Master’s in Public Administration. She finds it exciting to be working with an organization that has such a clear and tangible impact in the community where she herself resides.

Digna Nolasco, Office Manager, Maryland Office dnolasco@ledcmetro.org

Greeting arriving clients with a smile in Wheaton, Digna Nolasco is office manager at the LEDC office in Maryland. Digna has a long history of working closely with the Latino community, spending years as an active parent advocating for reforms within the Maryland public school system and as an immigrant advocate with DC nonprofit Ayuda. Before joining the LEDC team in July 2009, she spent eight years as a key member of the Montgomery County Recreation Department in their information referral programs. Digna is excited to connect the Wheaton community with LEDC services to build strong families and a vibrant community. In her free time, Digna enjoys reading, jogging, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Christina Stockamore, Outreach and Training Manager This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Walda Yon, Bilingual Housing Counselor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Walda Yon brings six years of experience working with the Latino community in Washington, DC. Prior to working with LEDC, Walda worked in administrative and out reach capacities with Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Carlos Rosario International Career Center & Public Charter School, International Migrants Development Fund, and Alfa Omega Tax Service. Originally from Guatemala, Walda came to the US in 2000 with solid work experience in customer service and procurement at one of the leading sugar refineries in the country. In her position as Housing Counselor Walda educates clients on the credit system, financial literacy and the home buying process. She can also be seen in the community leading workshops at off site venues. Walda is motivated by the fact that she is helping to improve the financial health of the community. She knows that by providing the tools for wealth-building to each client, she is helping their families and the community as a whole. Walda in her spare time enjoys keeping up to date on information related to her work. She also likes to take walks and enjoy the scenery of Rock Creek Park.

Marcia Camilo, Bilingual Housing Counselor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

In her role as Housing Counselor Marcia Camilo helps clients understand the home buying process and whether or not they are ready to buy. Marcia’s training with the NeighborWorks Institute has provided her with a strong base of knowledge. However, she credits her own clients as the reason she is great at her job. With each new client Marcia learns from a new experience. Marcia sees LEDC's mission coming true with her work every time a client goes to closing or every time she learns of her client becoming a homeowner. In her spare time Marcia likes to walk, dance, cook and read interesting books.

Jose Rodriguez, Bilingual Housing Counselor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jose Rodriguez, as Housing Counselor helps clients through the steps of homeownership by hosting HPAP seminars, counseling clients on how they can improve their credit, and by calling lenders and other professionals to speed up the home-buying process. Since the inception of the Homeownership Counseling program in October 1993, Jose has been counseling, educating, organizing, and serving as one of the Latino community’s “go-to” guys for any question about housing issues. Involved with housing counseling and tenant organizing since 1990, José has helped organize and incorporate countless tenant associations, helped hundreds of tenants resolve issues and improve communication with their landlords, and walked hundreds of families through every step of the homebuying process. Jose says he finds the rewards of his work in the happiness of his clients upon becoming homeowners.

Wendy Alvarenga, Senior Bilingual Default/Foreclosure Housing Counselor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wendy is a Senior Housing Counselor in LEDC’s Maryland office. Prior to coming to LEDC, Wendy worked for Wells Fargo assisting homeowners over the age of 62 with reverse mortgages. Wendy has also worked with Housing Counseling Services as an Intake Specialist and assisting counselors with the HPAP applications, as well as with the Greater Washington Urban League as the Document Control Process or Coordinator of the HOPWA program. Wendy enjoys shopping, going to the movies, dance, and spending time with her daughters. Wendy says, “The most exciting thing is when you see the faces of families go from bitter sweet to happiness because you were able to help them.”

Patricia Belbusti, Bilingual Default/Foreclosure Housing Counselor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Originally from Argentina, Patricia joined LEDC this year as a Housing Counselor in the Wheaton, MD office. Patricia formerly worked in real estate and holds a real estate license in both MD and DC. She has also acted and played the guitar as part of LEDC’s teatro callejero, bilingual, musical plays performed in the streets at outdoor festivals, telling the story of a family trying to improve their housing situation.

Farah Fosse, Director of Affordable Housing Preservation This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

As Program Director, Farah coordinates the work of the Affordable Housing Preservation Program to educate residents on their rights as tenants in DC, assist residents in preserving their housing as affordable, and advocate for affordable housing policies in DC. Farah Fossé joined LEDC in October of 2005 in this role. Previous to working at LEDC, Farah worked on local affordable housing policy and tenant organizing with Buyers and Renters Arlington Voice in Arlington, Virginia, where she worked primarily with the Latino community. Farah is a graduate of Smith College in Northampton, MA with a BA in Latin American Studies and Economics. During college she studied in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico and has traveled extensively in Latin America. Farah is originally from Connecticut but her diverse family hails from the Midwestern United States and Puerto Rico. Farah has lived in Northwest DC for the past seven years and is passionate about preventing the displacement of low and moderate-income residents, particularly Latinos, from the area. She is excited about being part of the efforts to preserve the economic and cultural diversity of the city. In addition to her work at LEDC, Farah also teaches self defense classes for women and girls and enjoys working at her community garden plot.

Anna Duncan, Tenant Organizer This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Anna Duncan organizes and educates tenants about their rights, supports tenant associations to develop strategies for improving conditions in their building and keeping it affordable, and advocates for the preservation of affordable housing in DC. Anna joined LEDC in October, 2007 as a Tenant Organizer with the Affordable Housing Preservation Program. Before coming to work with LEDC, Anna was a community organizer with The Immigrant Worker Project in Ohio, working with Latino agricultural workers. She also spent two years living in Chihuahua, Mexico, coordinating a Teatro Indigena project, utilizing theater as a popular education tool with indigenous youth in the Sierra Tarahumara. Anna is a recent graduate of Oberlin College with a degree in Political Science. A DC native who grew up in Mount Pleasant, Anna is excited to be back working in the area, supporting tenants in Latino and other communities, preventing the displacement of low-income residents, and making sure this city is a place that is welcoming and accessible to everyone who lives here.