INDIANA LATINO LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
Class of 2024
INDIANA LATINO INSTITUTE
The Indiana Latino Institute (ILI) is a 501(c)3 statewide non-profit organization committed to serving Latino communities across Indiana. Since 2001, ILI's efforts have focused on education and health programming, and in 2018, launched the Indiana Latino Leadership Circle program to increase the pool of Latino leaders within Indiana represented at the executive level. The Indiana Latino Institute will continue to elevate and empower Latino Hoosiers and work to improve all communities throughout the state.
MARLENE DOTSON
ILI President & CEO
ART VASQUEZ
ILI Board Chair
KARLA B HEREDIA
ILI Manager of Leadership & Marketing
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Art Vasquez, President, IU Health West Central Region, Board Chair
Dr. Andrew Adams, Eli Lilly and Company, Board Vice Chair
Mike Merkel, La Rosa & Co , Board Treasurer
Dr. Virginia Caine, Marion County Health Department, Board Secretary
Carole Casto, Cummins Inc
Sam Centellas, CDFI Friendly South Bend
Ricardo Garcia De Alba, Corteva Agriscience
Rosemily Geyer, Geyer Fire Protection
Jadira Hoptry, First Merchants Corporation
Danny Lopez, Pacers Sports and Entertainment
James McBryant, Hendricks County
Gina Miller, Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership
Seth Morales, Morales Group Staffing
Mario Rodriguez, Indianapolis Airport Authority
Matzine Sanchez-Gutierrez, Corteva Agriscience
Rafael Sanchez, Old National Bank
Greg Stremlaw, Indy Sports & Entertainment
Alfonso Vidal, Nylene USA
Marlene Dotson, Indiana Latino Institute
INDIANA LATINO LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
The Leadership Circle is a 2 year-long commitment that incorporates a multi-pronged approach to bringing emerging Latino professionals front and center, both within the Latino community as well as the larger community as a whole. Through individualized mentoring, networking, and leadership development opportunities and think tank sessions based on issues of importance, these talented professionals will have a unique opportunity to learn from established community members as well as gain valuable skills that will focus on their own empowerment
MISSION: The purpose of The Leadership Circle is to identify and mentor emerging Latino leaders by connecting them with respected, influential community leaders and strategic empowerment opportunities.
VISION: Our vision is to increase the pool of Latino leaders within Indiana to further the development of communities throughout the state
KEY COMPONENTS
High Profile Mentoring
Empowerment Opportunities
Focused Leadership Training
Civic Engagement
Strategic Networking
Think Tank Breakout Sessions
Community Service Opportunities
FOUNDERS
Steven Alonso, President, 5/3 Bank
Enrique Conterno, former Senior VP, Eli Lilly & Co , President - Lilly Diabetes, President- Lilly USA
Marlene Dotson, President & CEO, Indiana Latino Institute
Charlie Garcia, President & CEO, C Garcia Associates
Rosemily Geyer, President & CEO, Geyer Fire
Juan Gonzalez, President & CEO, Key Bank
Seth Morales, President & CEO, Morales Group
Mario Rodriguez, Executive Director, Indianapolis Airport Authority
Rafael Sanchez, Chief Impact Officer and Market President, EVP, Old National Bank
CLASS OF 2024
CLARISSA ARRIAGA
JENNIFER BELTRAN
STEPHANIE CAMPOS
JESSI CROUSE
MICHELLE DEL RIO
LIZETH HERNANDEZ Eli Lilly & Company
Clarissa was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. Inspired by all the engineers and strong women in her family, she pursued her B.S in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering in the University of South Florida. After graduation in 2017, she started her career with Cummins as a Manufacturing Engineer for the Light Duty Diesel business in Columbus, Indiana. Since then, she has held other roles as Senior Industrial Engineer for the Midrange Engine Plant (CMEP), Technical Sourcing Manager for the Fuel Systems, and she now leads the New Product Machining team for the Columbus Engine Plant (CEP). During her time at Cummins, Clarissa has led several high impact projects, the most notable being Engine Clearcoat and Wash Removal Process for which she received a Business Impact Award and the Indiana Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award She has also been an active member of her community, led the Sustainability Team at CMEP, is part of the Women Empowerment Network, and co-leads the Environment Committee for the Columbus Community Involvement Board (CCIB)
Clarissa Arriaga
Heavy Duty Machining New Product Project Leader
Cummins, Inc.
Jennifer Beltran is a seasoned healthcare management professional currently serving as a Manager at Indiana University Health. Jennifer is a first generation Latina and her journey into healthcare is rooted by her own experiences and cultural background. Jennifer aims to advocate for underserved populations and ensure that there is equitable healthcare for all. With expertise in overseeing teams specializing in obtaining prior authorizations, Jennifer manages the statewide financial clearance team for five service lines including cardiology,
cardiothoracic, vascular, lifeline, and digestive and liver disease. Jennifer collaborates with many key stakeholders to improve processes and ensure business goals are met. She holds a bachelor's degree in healthcare management and policy from Indiana University Bloomington and a master's degree in health administration from Indiana University Indianapolis. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and two dogs.
Jennifer Beltran
Manager- Financial Clearance System Patient Access (SPA)|Revenue Cycle Services
IU Health
Stephanie Campos
School Leader
Enlace Academy
Stephanie Campos (Johnson) is a seasoned education leader with a strong commitment to equitable education for multilingual (ML) learners, fueled by her pride in her Puerto Rican heritage and culture as a firstgeneration Latina. With over 15 years of experience in education, Stephanie has dedicated her career to fostering inclusive learning environments that empower students from diverse backgrounds. Stephanie's career has traversed various educational levels, from early childhood to high school. She holds an undergraduate degree from Purdue University and a Masters of Arts in Teaching along with a certificate in Educational Leadership from Marian University. Stephanie also participated in the Relay School of Education’s National Principal Academy Fellowship.
Stephanie Campos (Johnson) currently serves as the School Leader of Enlace Academy, a K-8 grassroots charter school located in the vibrant International Market Place in Indianapolis Embracing her role as an advocate for the westside of Indianapolis, Stephanie has been deeply involved in the community since 2016. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Indianapolis, where she contributes to shaping programs that benefit youth in Indianapolis.
Jessi Crouse
Talent Acquisition Manager
IU Health
Jessi-Marie Crouse is a first-generation college graduate and a life-long learner. She holds an associate degree in Veterinary Technology from International Business College’s Vet Tech Institute and a bachelor's degree in Spanish (coupled with a minor in International Studies) from Indiana University. She is an inaugural class recipient for the certificate in Latino Studies program from Indiana University-Indianapolis In October, she completed University of South Florida Corporate Training and Professional Education to obtain a Cross-Cultural Leadership Certificate. Jessi is finishing her master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at Southern New Hampshire University Jessi is on the leadership team at Indiana University Health serving as a Talent Acquisition Manager. She also holds the position as co-chair for the system-wide employee resource group called the Culturally Inclusive Community Some of Jessi’s most notable accomplishments at Indiana University Health have been helping lead and assist her Non-Clinical Talent Acquisition Team to fill 3080 positions at Indiana sity Health in 2023, receiving the 2023 IU Health Talent quisition Values in Action Leadership Award.
Michelle Del Rio
Assistant Professor
Indiana University Bloomington
Dr. Michelle Del Rio is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the School of Public Health in Indiana University in Bloomington. She is an interdisciplinary environmental health scientist and conducts communityengaged research to understand how environmental contaminants interact with determinants of health, and how these interactions can inform multilevel interventions. Dr. Del Rio completed all her academic training in her hometown and at the University of Texas at El Paso, where she earned a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences in 2021, a master’s in public health in 2015, and a bachelor’s in biomedical sciences in 2010. She also completed a one-year postdoctoral fellowship in her current department before transitioning into a faculty position in 2022. She is the first of her family to attend college and earn a terminal degree. Dr. Del Rio has approximately 10 years of community-engaged earch experience where she has focused on reducing water nsecurity, transportation gaps, and arsenic and lead (Pb) exposure for underserved and socially vulnerable populations
la is a corporate finance professional with a unique er spanning military and civilian aviation, engineering, and finance. She began her career in the Colombian Air Force, managing supply chain logistics and maintenance for aircraft fleets, and directing uncrewed aerial systems flight operations for critical missions while overseeing high-performing teams. Bringing her expertise to the U.S., Paula built on her extensive managerial experience. This high-pressure environment honed her adaptability, analytical problem-solving, risk management, and decision-making skills. Seeking to expand her expertise, Paula transitioned into finance, bringing meticulous attention to detail and process optimization to Old National Bank. She excels in assessing commercial lending risk and ensuring adherence to policies, demonstrating proficiency in financial analysis and strategic management. Her strong analytical skills, data-driven decision-making, and team collaboration are crucial to her success. Paula holds an MS in Aeronautics and an MBA in Finance from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, reflecting her commitment to continuous improvement and leadership. Beyond her professional work, she advocates for women entrepreneurs and immigrant communities in Indianapolis, participating in leadership programs to promote diversity and inclusion.
Paula
Earley Commercial Underwriter
Old
National Bank
Edlin Garcia Colato is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health and Wellness Design at the School of Public Health at Indiana University Bloomington (SPH-IUB). Dr. Garcia Colato holds a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies from UC Santa Barbara, a Master’s of Public Health degree with a behavioral health concentration from the University of South Florida-Tampa, and a doctoral degree in Health Behavior from SPH-IUB. Her research interests include behavioral health (i.e., mental, emotional, and substance use), mental health literacy, and mental health help-seeking behaviors among adults In particular, her research is focused on the intersection of mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviors, with the overall goal of promoting mental well-being in the workplace.
Edlin is a trained volunteer crisis counselor for the Crisis Text Line (Crisistextline.org or text 741741) and is certified by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA).
Edlin Garcia
Assistant
Professor
IU School of Public Health
Bloomington
Lilian Golzarri
Associate Director of the Biostatistics Consulting Center
IU School of
Public Health
Bloomington
Lilian Golzarri Arroyo is the Associate Director of the Biostatistics Consulting Center at Indiana University (IU) School of Public Health-Bloomington. In this role, she assists faculty members with their research projects, offering expertise in experimental design, randomization, data collection, statistical analysis, and reporting. Lilian also mentors junior staff and develops solutions tailored to specific research questions She holds an M S in Statistics from IU Bloomington and a B S in Actuarial Sciences from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). Prior to her current position, Lilian served as Chief of Staff of the Director of the Management and Budget Department at the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE) in Mexico, where she contributed to statistical analyses that guided strategic decision-making. She also worked as Mortgage Loan Collection Manager for the Housing Fund of the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (FOVISSSTE) where she increased the collection on around 13% in one year. Originally from Mexico City, Lilian cherished her student life in Bloomington and sought further opportunities there after fulfilling her scholarship requirements. She currently serves as co-vice president of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) IUB Professional Chapter.
Lizeth Hernandez
National Deal Developer - CVS Eli Lilly & Company
Lizeth and her mother immigrated to the U.S. from Colombia in 2001. Immigrating presented many challenges for Lizeth, including learning a new language, adapting to a new education system, and navigating numerous financial difficulties. Despite these obstacles, Lizeth excelled academically and graduated as the valedictorian of her high school She received a full scholarship to the University of Florida, where she earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering. After graduation, Lizeth joined Lilly as the Quality Assurance representative for a $47M capital project. In manufacturing, Lizeth discovered her passion for leadership and transitioned to the business in 2016 Lizeth continued to pursue higher education and earned her MBA from the Kelley School of Business in 2020. Today, she leads the deal valuation process at Lilly for the CVS account. Throughout her academic and professional journey, Lizeth has been icated to developing minority talent. Lizeth has served as entor, panelist, and recruiter throughout her time at Lilly.
a Juanita Limas, Ph.D. is a native of Des Moines, IA and e first in her family to attend college, graduating with a Biochemistry from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA. Following college, Juanita took a non-traditional career path, serving in the Peace Corps as a Community Health Education Volunteer in Nicaragua. Upon her return to the US, she obtained a M S in Biomedical Sciences from Barry University, teaching at the community college for 7 years. She also served as Director for the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program at Kirkwood Community College an initiative through the National Science Foundation (NSF) to increase numbers of underrepresented students in STEM pursuing PhDs.
Her LSAMP and teaching experiences spurned her to return to school, where she completed her PhD in Pharmacology/Cell cycle regulation at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During her PhD, Juanita also received several fellowships, including a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Gilliam Fellowship. Following her PhD, Juanita was hired to work in early drug discovery at Eli Lilly and Company. As a Senior Advisor (Molecular Pharmacology).
Juanita Limas
Senior Advisor in Molecular Pharmacology
Eli Lilly & Company
Mildred “Millie” Maier, originally from Guatemala, immigrated to Florida with her family at the age of 8.
She pursued her academic aspirations at the University of Florida, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Millie commenced her career as a Process Engineer at Pratt and Whitney, in East Hartford, CT before relocating to Columbus, IN in 2006 to join Cummins Inc. Presently, she is a Pricing Manager, where she aims to drive strategic and sustainable pricing initiatives for an emerging product line by leveraging data-driven insights and fostering cross-functional collaboration.
Millie finds fulfillment in both fostering relationships and applying her problemsolving skills to develop strategic plans that address stakeholder needs. This commitment extends to her previous involvement on boards such as the Columbus Parks and Rec Department and the Foundation for Youth. Additionally, within Cummins, she is an active member in Employee Resource Groups, like Grupo Organizado Afinidad Latina (GOAL) and Women’s Empowering Network (WEN).Force
She is also involved in the Workforce Development area for the Cummins - Latino CARE initiative which strives to address systemic barriers and provide platforms that empower Latinos to reach their full potential and contribute to their communities' growth and success.
Mildred Maier
On-Highway Pricing Manager Cummins, Inc.
Emmanuel Maldonado
Project Manager
Indianapolis Airport Authority
Emmanuel Maldonado moved to Florida from Puerto Rico when he was two years old. He left Florida to obtain his Bachelor of International Studies and Political Science from the Virginia Military Institute and later obtained his MBA in Aviation Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Following his education, Emmanuel gained valuable experience working with airports around the country as a consultant. He now works for Indianapolis Airport as a Project Manager overseeing construction and airport planning projects at the six different aviation facilities sponsored by the Authority. During his off time, Emmanuel enjoys spending time with his family, teaching baseball to his son and teammates during seasonal competitions and supporting his daughter in dance competitions.
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Maria Wilkins
Emissions Compliance
Technical Advisor
Cummins, Inc.
Maria was born and raised in Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua Mexico where she attended the Juarez Stake Academy (Academia Juarez, located in Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua) She then moved to the United States and later pursued a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from New Mexico State University. Maria joined Cummins in 2011 as a Product Validation engineer. Since then, she has worked in various roles at Cummins as an Electronics Hardware Integration Lead, System Validation Leader, Program Manager, Project Leader, Technical Advisor and currently, she works in Product Compliance and Regulatory Affairs under the Technical Compliance & Certification Center of Excellence team as the Emissions Compliance Functional Excellence Technical Manager. Maria is Six-Sigma Certified, has certifications in Team Based Work Systems, Product Development Excellence, Building Success in Others, Building Success in You and recently graduated from the McKinsey Leadership Academy. Maria is enrolled in the 2024 fall semester to pursue her master’s in business administration. She serves as the Leader fo the Cummins Latino Employee Resource Group in Southern Indiana. .
Our mission is to advance Latino educational attainment and workforce preparedness statewide through advocacy, leadership development, and culturally responsive programming.
