Casa Central, the largest social service agency in the Midwest serving the Latino community, has inaugurated its Emeritus Advisory Board (EAB), which recognizes the dedication and leadership of former board members and other community leaders who contributed time, energy, and resources to
Casa Central.
"This is an important milestone for Casa Central," said Martin R. Castro, President & CEO of Casa Central "We thoughtfully curated this group of advisors to include legal, media, and operations experts whose collective experience ensures Casa Central has the additional perspective to navigate through these dynamic and complex times.”
Emeritus Advisory Board members include:
Adela Cepeda, Board Member, BMO Harris Bank: A finance specialist since 1980, Adela Cepeda has advised municipalities and corporations on the structuring and execution of capital markets transactions exceeding $150 billion. Ms. Cepeda serves on the boards of the UBS Funds, the Pathway Mutual Funds and chairs the Mercer Mutual Funds. Ms. Cepeda is also the chair of Angeles Investors.
David Nirenberg, Dean, Divinity School, The University of Chicago: Author of numerous books, Dr. Nirenberg currently serves as the Dean of the Divinity School of the University of Chicago. He is the Deborah R. and Edgar D. Jannotta Distinguished Service Professor of Social Thought, Department of History; the former Dean of the Social Sciences Division and Founding Director of the Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society at the University of Chicago.
Diana Palomar, Vice President of Community Engagement, ABC7 Chicago (WLS-TV): Diana Palomar leads the station's public engagement efforts, providing news and programming content through her relations with community leaders and organizations throughout Chicagoland and surrounding suburbs. Her work includes supporting local non-profit efforts through on-air or financial support, and working with organizations to elevate their profiles and tell their stories through an authentic voice, most recently producing the digital town hall series “Our Chicago: Voices of the Community”. ABC7/WLS-TV is the No. 1 local news source and most-watched television station in Chicago. Named Best News Operation by the Associated Press for four consecutive years.
Amalia Rioja, Attorney, Rioja LLC: Amalia Rioja is an attorney and strategic advisor with more than 25 years of professional success in the law, government, philanthropy, business, and community engagement. Ms. Rioja has expansive legal and management experience, including in the areas of public-private partnerships, corporate governance, community development, ethics, and diversity & inclusion. Ms. Rioja serves as Chair of the Executive Ethics Commission of the State of Illinois by appointment by Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Ms. Rioja also serves on the boards of the Healthy Community Foundation and the Latino Policy Forum.
Cesar Rolon, Founder & Producer, Imagen Marketing Consultants, LLC: Cesar Rolon is president of Imagen Marketing Consultants a full service integrated multicultural marketing agency that specializes in experiential and digital marketing. Mr. Rolon has played an integral role in the production of the Chicago Latina Expo, Latino Gourmet Food Wine & Spirits Fest, World Fashion Festival and founder / co-producer of Latino Fashion Week, the only Latino Fashion Week in the United States.
Carmen Solano-DeCarrier, McDonald’s Owner/Operator: Carmen Solano-DeCarrier owns and operates 15 McDonald’s fast-food restaurants around Chicago and is the recipient of many corporate awards for her passion for people, including the prestigious Ronald Award from McDonald’s for her community involvement. Ms. Solano-DeCarrier is also the president of the McDonald’s Hispanic Owner-Operators Association (MHOA) of Chicago and Northwest Indiana. This year Ms. Solano-DeCarrier was the recipient of the Golden Arch Award which is given to the top 1% owner/operators globally.
Additionally, Casa Central welcomed its 17th member to its Board of Directors, Monserrat ‘Monse’ Moreno. Mrs. Moreno serves as the Global Diversity Employment Brand Marketing Manager at Facebook where she leads global strategy across the recruiting function. She drives the scaled, innovative and culturally-relevant brand building programs that enable a global recruiting organization to attract the world’s top, diverse talent.
“We are thankful for the continued commitment of each of the inaugural members of our Emeritus Advisory Board. Each of them brings deep community knowledge, and a wealth of experience and expertise in their respective fields that will contribute greatly to Casa Central’s mission of transforming lives and strengthening communities,” said Mr. Castro. “We are also pleased to welcome Monse Moreno to our Board of Directors. She adds a unique and vibrant perspective that will contribute greatly to Casa Central’s mission and we look forward to working with her.”