President/CEO
From: Colombia
I enjoy seeing our clients grow and take charge of their lives…and becoming successful. It is priceless! Bio
Empowering a new generation of Americans
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Leadership Team
Get to know HUF's Management Team by clicking on the photos below.
Magaly Alvarado
Director, Civic Engagement
Civic Engagement
From: Colombia
I love working at HUF because it’s a community based organization that allows me to be close to people and to identify real needs. I get to create solutions for others in need. This work makes me feel useful in this world. Being part of this organization has brought me great satisfaction. Hispanic Unity is more than a social services agency; it has been the place where I have grown professionally and personally.
Director, Civic Engagement
Yonela Carusi
Associate Director, Education Department
Yonela Carusi has been with Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF) since October 2006. During the past 15 years, Yonela has been a Program Manager that oversees the Unity 4Kids pre-school center, the Family Strengthening Program, the Social Services of HUF Front Desk, and the Case Management services of Unity 4teens. Currently, Yonela is the Associate Director of the Education Department at Hispanic Unity. Yonela is responsible for ensuring programs comply with policy and service standards to monitor the programs/contracts and evaluate the daily delivery of services. Yonela holds a BS on Education and obtained a master’s degree in Management and Administration of Educational Programs at Nova Southeastern University in June 2015. Yonela participated for 5 years as a Board Member of the Broward Association of Education for Young Children (BAEYC) until 2020. Additionally, she served as mentor in the Business Leadership Institute for Early Learning-BLI including the expansion in Orlando as the BLI Mentor Chair for 5 years as well until 2020. She received an award in 2005 as Mother of the Year from Healthy Mother, Healthy Babies and she received an Outstanding Advocacy Award at the Florida Association of Education for young Children Conference on December 2017 in Orlando Florida.
Director, Education Department
Elizabeth Dorante
VP of Programs
From: Venezuela
I am responsible for the implementation and oversight of the Education Department. I have the absolute pleasure of working alongside wonderful professionals who, like me, live and breathe HUF’s values everyday. I love my job because we are able to incorporate the other two core areas at HUF, Economic Development and Civic Engagement, into all the programs in the Education Department which is why we are able to positively impact the lives of the whole family. It is so rewarding to see our families grow and find their way and to know that we, somehow, helped them get there!
There are two things in life that I have done for as long as I can remember: listening and teaching. My blessing is that I get paid to do exactly that: listen and teach.
By listening and teaching, every day we empower our students and families as we proudly “live” HUF’s Mission.
Vice President of Programs
Ingrid Ekblad
Director of Operations
From: US and Puerto Rico
As Director of Operations, I plan and oversee Facilities, Risk Management, some Human Resource and Technology duties for all HUF campuses. My priority is to work behind the scenes to facilitate all the great work of programs and services by ensuring appropriate measures and safety precautions are set and taken to keep the agency running smoothly and efficiently. My goal every day is that HUF can provide a safe and welcoming environment for staff and the community it serves.
Director of Operations
Juliana Esguerra
As part of HUF's commitment to guarantee a data-driven and outcomes-oriented approach, I am responsible for advancing the quality monitoring, performance measurement, and evaluation efforts of our agency. By examining the health of our programs, services, and systems, our agency is able to identify opportunities for improvement, innovation, and adjustment of strategies to be able to better respond to opportunities and challenges for the benefit of the families and the communities we serve.
As an Anthropologist with a master’s degree in Political Science, and more than ten years of experience supporting research and social impact projects, I believe in the importance of understanding the impact of HUF’s programs and services in our clients’ lives. As an immigrant from Colombia, I embrace the power of providing knowledge and tools to individuals and families to support their journey toward their American dream.
Director of Innovation & Strategic Initiatives
Eduardo Pineda
Director, Economic Development
Eduardo Pineda is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in the nonprofit sector and focused on community health, financial stability, and economic development. Eduardo has been with the Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF) since 2014 and is currently the Director of the Economic Development Programs. He is responsible for the planning, implementation, and oversight of HUF’s Economic Development programs and services. Eduardo has over 10 years of professional program management experience and spearheading the full lifecycle of complex cross-functional programs, including disaster case management, access to health, workforce development, financial capabilities, and income supports programs. Eduardo has spent his whole career working with social services organizations, such as South Florida Workforce, and CareerSource Broward, among others. Eduardo holds a BS in Criminal Justice and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Florida International University (FIU).
Director, Economic Development
Otayme “Otto” Valenzuela
Director, Public Policy & Advocacy
From: Hollywood, Florida
I am responsible for directing HUF’s public policy and advocacy efforts. Along with providing our clients immediate assistance through our Programs, we also try to find long-term, multi-generational solutions to the issues our community faces, through policy. We do this by advocating for change by informing, educating, and working with our elected officials, stakeholders, and community partners. We attempt to give a voice to the voiceless by making sure we all have a seat at the table.
Having grown up down the street from HUF, for over 20 years, I have been familiar with the positive impact this organization has on our community and I am proud to be a part of the work being done here every day.
Director, Public Policy & Advocacy
Hispanic Unity of Florida: Client Stories
Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF) is a non-profit founded in 1982 by community leaders to ease the acculturation transition for newcomers from other nations. Today, HUF provides assistance through 12 programs and 30+ services in four languages to South Florida's diverse community. HUF, an UnidosUS Affiliate, is one of South Florida’s largest agencies dedicated to the immigrant population, providing them with the tools they need to build a new life. Since its inception, HUF has served nearly 500,000 people.