OUR TEAM

Marlene joined ILI in 2011 as President & CEO, and has since rebranded the organization, led the expansion of existing health and education programming, and added leadership and advocacy as focus areas.  Prior to this work, Marlene served as President & CEO of the National Latino Tobacco Control Network (NLTCN) and spent more than a decade as the Immigrant Affairs Liaison for Indiana’s Seventh Congressional District. In this position, she became the first Latina to assist a Member of the Indiana Congressional Delegation of the United States Congress.  Committed to volunteering, Marlene founded the Indiana Latino Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence. She has also served on many committees, task forces, and boards.  Ms. Dotson earned her Master of Public Affairs from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) at Indiana University.

Dr. Danny Mendez holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Indiana State University.  His 23 year career as an educator includes 18 years of school/district leadership that spans the entire K-12 spectrum. He served as a Principal at the elementary, middle, and high school level, as well as central office.  In addition, he worked with leadership teams from over 100 schools that were seeking guidance for growth.
Dr. Mendez had previously served on the Indiana Commission on Hispanic Latino Affairs and as a President of District 7 and 9 for the Indiana Association of School Principals.  These roles have helped deepen his knowledge of education policy so that he could advocate at both the state and national level.

As the Director of Workforce Development, Andrew will be leading ILI’s statewide workforce development programming including internships and professional development. Andrew has worked in education in different capacities since 2006. From working with ESL students in Indianapolis to teaching high school in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, he has continued to serve the Latino community in their pursuit of higher education and workforce development. Andrew earned a B.A. in Political Science from Indiana University, an M.S. in Inclusive Education from Nyack College in New York, and is currently working on a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership and is an alumnus of the ILI Latino Leadership Circle.

Maria Quiroz-Southwood has her Bachelor and Master’s in social work from Indiana University.  She has dedicated her 22+ years of professional life, using her bilingual skills and working in the non-for-profit sector with a focus on the Latino community in health, education, volunteer and social services.  She has a broad range of skills and experience in program development, grant writing, training, and community collaboration with a passion to serve non-for-profit, mission driven organizations.  Maria has worked in both the health and education programs at ILI, focusing her current work on assisting Latino college students throughout their higher education paths.   Maria is a key contributor to ILI’s grant-writing team, and facilitates the partnerships between ILI and 40+ universities in supporting Latino college student recruitment and retention.

Ligia Zosel is an accomplished educator with a diverse background in bilingual education and communication. Began her journey by graduating as a Bilingual Preschool Teacher in Guatemala. Her pursuit of knowledge then led her to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Media and Communication from Universidad Rafael Landívar in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Ligia used her bilingual education and communication background to work as a Teacher, Spanish Tutor, and Assistant Director of a Bilingual School in Seattle, Washington before joining ILI. Ligia is deeply invested in giving back to her community. Ligia has dedicated her time to voluntary work as a motivational speaker for the Catholic Church, where she empowers and inspires youth through her words and actions.

With a bachelor’s degree in communication, Karla has established a distinguished career in media. As a journalist, she has uncovered significant stories, giving voice to the voiceless with integrity and excellence. Karla is deeply committed to supporting Latino students, recognizing their challenges and unique perspectives. She provides guidance and opportunities for growth, empowering them to navigate the media landscape and make meaningful impacts in their communities. Karla embodies effective communication, combining storytelling prowess with a relentless pursuit of excellence, inspiring and informing audiences.

Clara Revelo has a bachelor’s degree in business from Kelley School of Business. She has a Human Resources and Finance background, working with different companies for the last couple of years. Her Human Resource background allows her to connect easily with people and understand their needs in the process of achieving their goals. Also, developing strong relationships is the foundation of everything she does, both professionally and personally. Fluent in English and Spanish, she is committed to education and motivated to help her fellow Latino Community. Clara thrives to assist students in their pathway to attend college by providing guidance and support to reach their goals.

Brenda Gutierrez is the Educational Specialist for the South and Central Region at ILI. She graduated from Marian University with a degree in Elementary Education and Special Education, laying the foundation for a meaningful career in education. For many years, Brenda poured her heart into teaching, both as a special education teacher and a 6th grade teacher. These experiences didn’t just shape her career; they ignited a profound passion within her to serve and uplift the Latino community. In her current role at ILI, Brenda leverages her extensive classroom experience and deep understanding of diverse educational needs to support and enhance educational initiatives throughout the South and Central Region. Her dedication to empowering students and educators alike aligns perfectly with ILI’s mission of strengthening communities through education

Yvette Vargas is a recent graduate of IUPUI, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Supervision, along with a Human Resources Management Certificate. She has a dynamic and adaptable professional background, with a solid foundation in human resources, foster care management, banking operations, and hospitality. Yvette is dedicated to continuous learning and growth for herself and her community. She is committed to creating positive environments and fostering trust and collaboration. Fluent in Spanish, she possesses strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Marcegui Vasquez is a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s in Social Work and a Child Abuse and Neglect Certificate from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. She is passionate about supporting the Latino community and empowering students to pursue higher education despite obstacles. Previously, Marcegui worked at the Indianapolis Public Library’s social work office, connecting patrons to essential resources. Bilingual and dedicated, she aspires to complete a Master’s in Social Work and later a law degree with a focus on immigration law.

Estrella Mejia graduated from Marian University with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Minor in Spanish. Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, she is committed to serving and supporting the Latino community across the state. As an Education Specialist for the North Region of Indiana, Estrella is dedicated to guiding Latino students toward higher education and assisting them in navigating the various opportunities available to them. Her previous experience includes working with programs where she provided support to the immigrant community with naturalization and legal services, as well as practicing youth counseling.

Julissa Castellanos  recently graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a minor in Psychology. Growing up in Indiana, Julissa saw the great need for resources within the increasing Latino population in Indiana which sparked her passion for Social Work. She has experience in working with marginalized youth in the state of Indiana as well as with the foster care system in Mexico. Bilingual in Spanish and English, Julissa has had the opportunity to utilize this skill during her previous internship at a middle school in Marion, Indiana, and multiple volunteering opportunities non-profit organizations in Indianapolis. In the upcoming years, she wishes to pursue higher education by completing a Master’s in Clinical Social Work and continue to serve the marginalized communities in the United States.