Meet our Parent Advisory 2022-2023 !

Latoya Pratt – She’s a member of PLTI Class 2022 and she’s also the treasurer of Jackie Robinson Park of Fame, Inc., a community-based organization in Stamford.  Latoya is a dedicated advocate for her children.

Ana Gallegos – Holds a BA in Educational Psychology and an Associate in Teaching Elementary Education. In the USA she worked as a teacher for 20 years. She founded Campamento Manuela, a summer program in Cuenca Ecuador. As a PLTI Graduate and former President of the Alumni Association, she has dedicated her time, volunteering in many organizations such as the Joseph Nunn Scholarship Foundation, Mayor’s Multicultural Council, The Ecuadorian Civic Community, Saint Mary Parish, and Friends of Ferguson Library. She works with PLTI/SPEF as the UConn PEP leadership facilitator and at the Admissions at REACH Prep program.

Carla Esquivel – Carla was born in Guatemala and has been a resident of Stamford for 16 years.  She is an active parent and community volunteer.  She is a founding member of Power from B1C.  Carla is also the founder and director of the community group NOSOTRAS.

Dian Holder – Is a passionate higher education professional for over 20 years with experience in student affairs and academic affairs. Dian currently serves as an Executive Director of Academic Affairs at Columbia University School of Nursing where she has worked for the past 14 years. Dian is a Stamford Parent Leader(PLTI Class of 2022) dedicated to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives that enhance classroom and school settings. She’s a graduate of Stamford Public Schools, the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, and Trinity College with a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Law. She currently resides in Stamford, CT with her daughter, Savannah, and husband, Troy.

Michele McDonald – Is a passionate and committed member of the Stamford community. As a parent and former teacher, she is active in her daughters’ education and regularly volunteers with their schools. She proudly served on the Roxbury School Governance Council, including two years as parent chairperson. She is a 2020 PLTI (Parent Leadership Training Institute) graduate. Through all her community work, Michele’s focus is on growing connections between students, parents, staff, and community members to improve student achievement.  In her corporate role, Michele is a Senior Vice President, Group Lead at MetrixLab.

Nubia Barahona Aguilar – Born and raised in El Salvador.  Nubia has worked as a teacher’s assistant at the Children Learning Center  for eight years.  In addition, she holds a CompTIA A+ certification.  She enjoys helping parents engage with their children.

Yolanda Ríos Garcia –  Yolanda is a Mexican Native.  She’s a PEP graduate and a member of Power B1 Group. Among the activities she has undertaken are volunteering at the Government Center, at the schools, at church and with community cleanups.

G. Gordon – Has been a resident of Stamford for over five years.  He enjoys being an involved parent.  With a strong interest in the Stamford early childhood community, he currently serves as a voting member of the Stamford School Readiness Council.

Maribel Sandalo – A native of  Ecuador, she immigrated to the United States when she was 12 years old.  She is a first-generation college graduate.  She obtained a BA in Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University.  She worked at the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford for over 12 years. “I will continue to support those who needs us the most, as I believe, every individual needs to feel safe, welcomed, heard and cared for.”

Sonal Patel–  She’s currently a PLTI Leader and a mentor and tutor with My Brothers Keepers Alliance sponsored by the Obama Foundation. She’s a proud resident of the Stamford community, she believes there are many areas of improvement that can be made in the city, and community involvement is the first step towards action.