MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ronnie Vazquez Beauchamp| President
Born and raised in Waterbury, CT of Puerto Rican descent.
Mr. Vazquez has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a specialization in Public Administration from Central Connecticut State University.
He also had international experience studying and traveling abroad in England, Africa, Cuba, and Egypt. Upon his international studies Ronnie worked in
Washington, D.C. as a Public Policy Fellow for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. As a fellow he has had experience working in the United States
Congress, Superior Court for the District of Columbia, and the Connecticut General Assembly. Mr. Vazquez is currently employed for the Waterbury Public School
System where he has worked for over six years as a Grant Coordinator overseeing educational policies and programs related to the No Child Left Behind Act.
Ronnie’s interests include music, traveling, and advocating public policy & social justice issues. Maritza Acosta | Vice President
Maritza Acosta was born in Hato Rey a district of San Juan, Puerto Rico and at the age of five moved to Waterbury, Connecticut with her family. Maritza earned a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut and a Masters degree in Sociology/Urban Studies from Southern Connecticut State University.
Maritza began her career as a Social Worker for the State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) where she has worked for over 13 years. As a Social Worker, she has served in several capacities. She also served as Social Work Supervisor at DCF where she was responsible for supervising Social Work staff. Maritza has planned and managed activities relating to child welfare and social work programs. In her current role as a Program Manager, she is responsible for managing the staff and operations of the investigation units in the Waterbury Area Office. Her duties also include insuring uniformity of departmental policy, and overseeing the delivery of child welfare services in her division.
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.Omayra Pizzaro | Secretary
Omyara Pizzaro was born and raised in Waterbury Connecticut.Omayra is a paralegal with the law firm of Tindall, Holmes & Kestenband, LLC which is a full service law firm located in Waterbury and Hartford.Omayra has
been a paralegal for 13 years and has throughout her career worked for three other law firms. Omayra received her Associates degree from Naugatuck Valley
Community College in 1996 and is currently enrolled at Post University pursuing her bachelors in criminal justice.Omayra is fluent in Spanish and serves as
an interpreter when needed. Omayra enjoys working with people and helping others especially in the Hispanic community. She is very determined and strives to
achieve the best in any situation.Victor Lopez, Jr | Treasurer
Victor M. Lopez Jr., was born in Brooklyn, NY. At an early age, his family moved to Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. During his teenage years they relocated to Waterbury, CT where he graduated from Wilby High School. In 2002 Victor completed Theological Studies, and acquired a Diploma from Shema Theological College. In 2005 Victor graduated from Stone Academy’s Accounting Program. He is currently majoring in Non-Profit Management at Goodwin College. Helping the community has always been very important to Victor and he is a proud member of The Board of Directors at New Opportunities, Inc., and an ESL Advisory Board Member at Stone Academy. In 2007 Victor co-founded La Casa Parkville, Inc. Today, he serves as Executive Director of this Non-Profit agency established thru a cohort with Latino Community Services located in Hartford, CT. La Casa Parkville’s mission is to increase the awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, thru outreach programs and conferences conducted within the community.
.Melitza Velez
Born and raised in Waterbury, Connecticut to parents native of Puerto Rico. She has been part of the board for over five years. She is a graduate of Uconn where she received her masters’ degree in Clinical Social Work. Currently she is employed at Connecticut Junior Republic where she has advocated for youth and their families for the past six years.. Prior to that she has worked counseling victims of domestic violence and sexual assault along with doing community education. Melitza is a member of First Assembly of God Church where she is an active member working in the nursery and providing counseling to women. Melitza is committed to advocating for those who are under represented and underprivileged due to socioeconomic, racial and ethic backgrounds.Yoellie Iglesias
Born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Yoellie completed her
Masters degree in Education from the University of Bridgeport and her Bachelor's degree in Science from Springfield College. Currently she is working for
AFCAMP as a Parent Educator. Besides her formal education, she worked with Catholic Charities and the Department of Children and Families.
Tavis Tindal
Is a partner with the law firm of Tindall, Holmes & Kestenband, LLC, which is a full service law firm located in Waterbury and Hartford, Connecticut. Tavis specializes in civil and commercial litigation and corporate law. Prior to entering the legal field,
Tavis worked for several years in his father's international fine wine import and wholesale businesses, Le Courtier du Vin and Tindall Family Wine CompanyFernando Ramirez
Fernando Ramirez was born and raised in Bridgeport CT, and attended the Central Magnet high school program. He made Waterbury his home in 1993 when he became a City Firefighter. Since then, he has become the President the Waterbury Firefighter Association. His duties include overseeing the over two hundred fifty member City Fire Department's deployment in regards to public safety, and safety of fire department personnel. He also manages all negotiating of hours, wages, and working conditions of the fire department which currently responds to over 17,000 calls a year. Fernando plans to assist the Hispanic Coalition with their current programs and through his partnerships with various civic organizations, the community, and employee organizations enable to strengthen the coalition in the future.
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.Gisele Booker
Born in Ponce, PR, Gisele Lisa Booker is the only daughter of Mrs. Asela Harris and the late David G. Harris. While growing up Gisele was exposed to the cultures and traditions of her both of her parents the Italian heritage of her father and the Hispanic heritage of her mother. She has been a part of the Waterbury non-profit community for over 20 years as well as a Waterbury resident who is actively involved in community affairs. Gisele is currently working as a Family Center Assistant Director @ Catholic Charities serving the community with programs concerning education, finance and basic needs. In the past she served in the family court system and probation. Her most recent accomplishment was working with the CSSD and DOC programs providing Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Anger Management treatment. Her favorite pastimes include cooking, traveling, socializing in the community and spending time with family and friends.Hattie Beauchamp
Ms. Hattie Beauchamp was born in Bronx, New York and raised in Connecticut. She attended Hemingway Park School, Walsh grammar school and John F. Kennedy High School. She pursued her undergraduate degree at Central Connecticut State University where she earned a BS in Spanish and TESOL. She pursued her graduate studies at Southern Connecticut State University where she earned a Masters Degree in Elementary/Bilingual Education. In 1986 she earned her 6th year in Administration and Supervision.
Her career as an educator commenced in 1975 when she was hired as Bilingual Teacher for the City of Waterbury at Chase school. Hattie’s career spectrum ranges from teaching all subjects and grade levels in Bilingual education at the elementary and middle school level, in addition teaching in the “mainstream”. She was the first “Hispanic” female Teaching Vice-Principal in the city of Waterbury subsequently in 1999, becoming a “House Principal” at North End Middle School. In 2009 she retired from the city of Waterbury after working for the Board of Education for 35 years.
Upcoming events
The Hispanic Coalition of Greater Waterbury will be holding the following events
Scholarship Opportunities - Click Here
Senior Citizen Fashion Show - June 23, 2011
Softball Tournament - September 25, 2011
10th Annual Coqui Awards - September 30, 2011
