About Us
Amplify LatinX launched in 2017 as a non-partisan, collaborative non-profit with the mission of advancing Latine prosperity and leadership representation in Massachusetts.
The impact of our work goes beyond building wealth for individuals or elevating the profile of a select few: We’re shifting mindsets and equipping the Latino community with confidence and knowledge to take increased responsibility for our collective success.
This is how we are making an impact today:
- We are BUILDING the most robust Latino network in Massachusetts.
- We ADVOCATE for policies that positively impact our community.
- Our ALX BUSINESS PROGRAM offers free bilingual, culturally relevant, and intensive strategic business advice to launch Latino and Latina owned businesses to the next level. We offer individual consulting and facilitate connections to existing resources, increasing access to capital and equitable contracting opportunities.
- We shape POSITIVE, fact-based narratives of Latinas and Latinos and champion emerging leaders for highly VISIBLE opportunities.
Collaborative
We unify a diverse and powerful network of Latine leaders and partner organizations.
Impactful
We drive transformational change in our community.
Purposeful
From event management to our advocacy efforts, we are intentional in everything we do.
Vibrant
We embrace cultural creativity with positivity, enthusiasm, and vitality.
Our Team
Staff
Eneida Roman
President & Chief Executive Officer
Eneida Roman is a seasoned and highly respected business leader who has gained national recognition for her outstanding contributions to advancing women and Latinos across various sectors. An innovator, and small business owner for over two decades, she is determined to strengthen the U.S. economy by maximizing the potential of women and communities of color. Eneida is a natural connector and innovator with a diverse skill set, and the impact of her intersectional endeavors is felt across the nation.
Her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to building bridges are a testament to her contributions and expertise as an attorney, organizational psychologist, and co-founder of Amplify LatinX. Eneida has played a pivotal role in leading Amplify Latinx with unwavering conviction and cultural competence. She leads the organization by placing a strong emphasis on racial and ethnic equity, working tirelessly to create opportunities and drive meaningful change for Latinos across sectors.
Eneida’s meaningful dedication and impact have earned her numerous accolades and recognition in her field. She is a distinguished Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, an honor limited to just one percent of lawyers licensed to practice in each jurisdiction. Among other local and national distinctions, Eneida has been repeatedly acknowledged as a Top Latino Attorney by Latino Leaders Magazine, further highlighting her significant contributions and influence.
In addition to her professional achievements, Eneida actively serves in various important roles and boards. She is a Governor Appointee to the Massachusetts Governor’s Latino Empowerment Council and the Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund Advisory Board. She has held prominent leadership positions within prestigious organizations such as the American Bar Association, the Hispanic National Bar Association, and the Massachusetts Bar Association. Currently, she shares her expertise and insights with the HOPE National Council, Latino Victory’s National Committee, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Women’s Advisory Board, the Boston Women’s Workforce Council, MassINC’s Board of Directors, ALPFA National Board, and Eastern Bank’s Board of Ambassadors.
Eneida Roman’s outstanding accomplishments, combined with her commitment to equitable public policy and leadership in various influential organizations, solidify her reputation as a catalytic pacesetter. She continues to make significant strides in promoting diversity, inclusion, and empowerment, leaving a lasting impact on the lives and careers of women and Latinos nationwide.
Monica Hinojos-Capes
Head of Initiatives
Monica Hinojos-Capes is an accomplished and a purpose-driven leader with 20+ years of creative experience in feminist, racial equity, diversity and inclusion, peace-building, and political initiatives.
Monica is Head of Initiatives at Amplify LatinX, and prior to that worked with notable organizations and clients, including Boston Impact Initiative, National Urban Fellows, Chica Project, Victim Rights Law Center, and WomenX. She currently contributes her expertise to the board of directors of Calling All Crows, mobilizing music fans to fuel feminist movements. She dedicated a decade to the Board of Directors at One Common Unity in D.C., focusing on breaking cycles of violence and fostering compassionate, healthy communities through music, arts, and peace education, and served on the board of oneTILT, supporting organizational diversity and inclusion. Presently, Monica serves on the Groton Hill Music Center DEI Advisory Council.
She’s been honored by various recognitions, such as a Next Generation Leader Fellowship from The Center for Whole Communities and an Environmental Cultural Heritage Fellowship from the QLF/Atlantic Center for the Environment, which included traveling to UNESCO sites in Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Additionally, she received an Explorer VERA (Volunteer Excellence Recognition Award) from Bpeace for her role as co-chair of the Latin American Exploratory Team, spearheading research efforts to initiate women’s entrepreneurial programs in El Salvador.
She also has a deep background and understanding of the political ecosystem – she was a member of the Hillary for America National Finance Team, Obama for America New England Steering Committee, and finance committees for Ayanna Pressley and Deval Patrick campaigns. Her involvement in these diverse ventures underscores her adeptness in spearheading initiatives, cultivating extensive networks, and employing inclusive problem-solving approaches. Overall, Monica is a respected leader who combines her entrepreneurial spirit, inclusive mindset, and collaborative approach to drive positive change and create meaningful connections within communities.
Monica’s educational background includes an MBA from Simmons College School of Management and a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Monica is also a certified Buti Yoga instructor, underscoring her dedication to holistic well-being. She lives in Groton, MA with her husband, Ray.
Daliza Nova
Head of Strategy & Development
Daliza Nova brings a wealth of knowledge and a heartfelt commitment to her work in business development, strategy, and project management. Her educational journey includes an enriching experience at Hult International Business School, earning an Executive MBA with studies in London and Dubai, and a grounding in Economics from Hampshire College with a focus on community development and aiding underserved populations.
Her career began in Public Housing being selected to form part of a HUD program where the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment officials placed young professionals within Management in Housing Authorities. There, she gathered Data and wrote her undergraduate thesis on Public Housing, and the real effects of inherited poverty.
Her career is marked by robust experience in business development, project management, and strategy. As a startup advisor, she supports entrepreneurs of color, enhancing their access to capital and networks. Fluent in English and Spanish, Daliza’s work spans affordable housing, banking, and government sectors, demonstrating a commitment to diversity and community engagement. A Dominican immigrant and a mother of two, she exemplifies resilience and multitasking, having pursued her MBA while working full-time and rehabilitating her home in upper Roxbury. Daliza’s tenure includes significant roles as the Project Director for the Massachusetts Business Center of the Minority Business Development Agency, and as the Director of Business Development and Marketing for Harbor One Bank, where she designed B2B and B2C initiatives for increased deal sourcing. As well as in Wells Fargo and TD Bank. Daliza’s strategic approach to relationship building, client engagement, and the creation of innovative business strategies has driven growth in all the organizations she has formed a part of. Her ability to nurture client relationships through effective communication, along with her talent for designing comprehensive client support systems, has significantly contributed to her success.
Daliza’s contributions extend to being selected to present her innovative ideas to enhance Boston to Mayor Marty Walsh, showcasing her impact on local community development. Her expertise and insights have also led her to speak to GBH regarding procurement and access to capital for minority-owned businesses, highlighting her role as a thought leader in economic inclusivity. Beyond her professional endeavors, Daliza enjoys reading about behavioral economics, indicating her deep interest in understanding the factors that influence economic decisions and outcomes.
Roxanna Sarmiento
Director of Marketing and Communications
Roxanna earned her MBA from the Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia and has been working at the intersection of marketing and culture for over 25 years.
She has a solid foundation in classic marketing and brand management from her time working in-house at L’Oreal and Colgate-Palmolive as well as a wealth of experience having worked on Hispanic, Latin American and US general markets for global brands like Biotherm, Dove, Nike, AARP, Neutrogena, YouTube, Sprint, Dole, Disney, Kohl’s, Red Bull, Lincoln and Nintendo both as a consultant and while leading agency teams.
As an entrepreneur and founding partner, she was key in developing and executing the strategy that transformed a niche blogger network to a profitable and flexible business that still does work as a community and mission-driven lifestyle brand for Latinas in the US.
Roxanna’s 100% certifiable as a word nerd and has had a lifelong fascination with what makes people tick. She’s done everything from debating the merits of school bake sales (she’s not a fan) in the New York Times to writing about pop culture and fashion for AOL in the mid-aughts. She wrote an online educational program to educate Latinas on entrepreneurship and financial literacy on behalf of a corporate client because she believes in the power of words for good, not just for sales or entertainment.
In her opinion, nothing beats the thrill of getting people to take action via clear strategy and persuasive copy.
Roxanna started blogging way back in 2005 and has been working creatively and professionally on all major social media platforms since their launch. You could say that she’s fluent in the language of the internet (and you’d be right).
Liday Rengifo
Director of ALX Business Program
Introducing Liday, a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience dedicated to monetizing and accelerating business growth. With an unwavering passion for sustainable and profitable development, she consistently strives to optimize operations, boost business productivity, implement effective management models, and design innovative marketin and digital transformation strategies.
Liday’s educational background includes a B.S. in Mathematics with a specialization in Statistics from the prestigious Universidad Central de Venezuela. She also holds certifications in Marketing Strategies, demonstrating her commitment to staying at the forefront of industry knowledge and trends. As a forward-thinking professional, Liday remains constantly informed about emerging marketing strategies and business growth trends. Her ability to leverage this knowledge, combined with her extensive experience, allows her to develop comprehensive and tailored solutions for businesses seeking sustainable success.
Liday’s relentless pursuit of business growth is complemented by her active involvement in supporting women’s business ventures and development. Her dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth is a testament to her belief in the power of entrepreneurship to drive positive change.
With Liday’s expertise and unwavering commitment to driving profitability and growth, she continues to make a significant impact in the business landscape. Her strategic insights, passion for empowering others, and dedication to staying ahead of the curve position her as a respected leader in the field of business growth and optimization.
Yordan Villalon
Operations Project Manager
Yordan serves as the Operations Project Manager for Amplify Latinx, leading finance, human resources, operations, and Salesforce CRM integration alongside his team.
Originally from Havana, Cuba, Yordan learned the value of dreaming big and executing from his parents. He attended Morehouse College and graduated from Lasell University in both 2017 and 2022, earning an MBA with a concentration in Project Management.
Fluent in Spanish and English, he first gained recognition as a public speaker after his impactful 2016 “Leadership Dinner” speech. Yordan later became the 2017 Lasell University Commencement Speaker and was honored with awards, including the Torchbearer Award for excellence in athletics, academics, and leadership, and the Lasell Bowl for his contributions to campus life.
After working in professional sports for several years, Yordan returned to school to pursue a graduate degree while working in Lasell’s Marketing & Communication Department. He also worked at Fidelity as a Workplace Planning Associate (WPA), helping clients manage their 401(k) plans.
His personal and professional experiences offer practical insights that audiences can immediately implement. These skills led him to found “Cubans in Boston,” a group focused on amplifying Cuban voices on the island calling for freedom. His commitment to the community earned him the Latino 30 Under 30 award from El Mundo and the Latinx Amplifier award.
Yordan further showcased his leadership as the Associate Executive Director of the Jr. Celtics Academy, organizing camps and clinics across New England for the Boston Celtics, where he focused on talent development and team growth. This work earned him the ALX100 recognition.
In his spare time, Yordan enjoys anime (Pokémon, Avatar, Naruto), reading, biking and runs a golf company. His company introduces corporate professionals to the game of golf, helping them enhance their wellness, career advancement, and business potential. This venture was sparked after he won a pitch competition at the 2022 US Open, judged by the CEO and President of the USGA along with Harvard Business School Professors.
Paola Pedraza
Business Program Operations Specialist
Paola moved to the U.S. at the age of 14, bringing with her a strong determination to succeed and positively repVisit Siteresent the Latino community. Her journey began with administrative roles at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where she quickly became known for her work ethic, reliability, and ability to exceed expectations. These experiences helped Paola build a solid foundation in business operations, from project coordination to client relations.
Over time, Paola developed a keen interest in marketing, recognizing its potential to bridge cultural gaps and amplify the voices of underrepresented communities. She has since broadened her expertise by working independently with several small businesses, where she applies her skills to help them grow their online presence, reach a larger audience, and enhance their brand identity.
Currently, Paola is pursuing a degree in Marketing at Emmanuel College to deepen her knowledge and formalize her skills in the field. Her studies complement her practical experience, equipping her with the latest industry insights and strategies. Paola’s commitment to continuous learning and professional development reflects her drive to make a meaningful impact both in her career and within her community.
Beyond her professional life, Paola is deeply committed to animal welfare and environmental sustainability. She is also an enthusiast of fitness, health, yoga, and Pilates. Her dedication, skills, and positive energy shine through in every project she engages in, making her an invaluable team member and a strong advocate for her community.
Jesús García Mota
Business Program Account Representative
Meet Jesús, whose ability to connect with individuals facing adversity, coupled with his deep understanding of the complexities they encounter, has allowed him to provide meaningful assistance and guidance to communities around Massachusetts. His unwavering commitment to bridging gaps between communities and government exemplifies his dedication to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
Jesús moved to the United States from Mexico in 2009 to work as Deputy Officer in the Department of Citizen Protection at the Consulate General of Mexico in Boston. In that job, he built 9 years of experience in constituent services assisting immigrant populations in five New England states. He has engaged with people facing very challenging situations, including poverty, imprisonment or immigration detention, and victims of crime, ensuring they were aware of their legal rights and felt supported every step of the way.
In September 2017, he joined the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services to serve as a liaison for the East Boston neighborhood, and in 2019 he took the role of Citywide Latino Liaison for the administrations of the Mayors; Marty Walsh, Kim Janey, and Michelle Wu.
Over the course of his career in the metropolitan area, he has focused on making sure residents receive support and guidance to access services, by creating and implementing programs and plans that guarantee equal access to everyone. He has continued to provide invaluable community services, organizing community meetings, and collaborating with community leaders to address and resolve constituent issues around the Commonwealth.
Mirian Alvarez
Programs Administrator
Mirian was born in El Salvador and migrated with her family when she was 6. She grew up in Cambridge Massachusetts where she had the opportunity to attend bilingual schools that allowed her to immerse in her new culture while at the same time maintaining her roots in her Latinx heritage.
In High School, she became part of the City Links Program (now called Enroot) which prepared her for her college experience and paired her with an internship for the City of Cambridge Management Information Systems department. Through this program, Mirian had the opportunity to advocate for immigration causes and attend events at the State House, further solidifying her commitment to making a positive impact on her community.
She is a graduate of Suffolk University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in Education. Upon her graduation in 2009, she landed a role as an HR Coordinator at Mass General Hospital, one of the top hospitals in the country. After almost 4 years in her role at MGH, she then moved into an HR Representative role for Mass General Brigham (formerly Partners HealthCare). In this capacity, she focused on employee onboarding, emphasizing the importance of a smooth and seamless integration for new team members.
After a decade in the Healthcare HR field, she decided to take a leap into Grants Management as a Post Award Administrator. Here, she delved into the intricacies of federal and foundation grants, acquiring valuable insights into funding mechanisms. Now, as a member of this dynamic organization, she eagerly takes on the challenge of advancing its mission and empowering Latinx professionals and entrepreneurs.
Board of Directors
Rosalin Acosta
Board Member
Managing Director, Government & Public Sector | Ernst & Young, LLP
Eileen Alexopoulos
Board Chair
Chief of Staff for COO
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Joseph Betancourt, MD, MPH
Board Member
President | The Commonwealth Fund
Associate Professor of Medicine | Harvard Medical School
Co-Founder & President | Quality Interactions, Inc
Luis Román
Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair
Senior Associate | OPUS Private Client, LLC