Our Team

Dr. Wilma Franco – Executive Director

Dr. Wilma Franco serves as Executive Director of the Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) Collaborative and holds a doctorate degree in Education – Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne. Dr. Franco successfully defended a dissertation entitled, “Employer’s Perception of Their Role in Student Learning and Skill Development: A Qualitative Case Study.”  Dr. Franco completed her undergraduate work at the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) where she earned her BA in Political Science and Chicana/o Studies with a minor in Public Policy. During her time at UCLA she worked closely with the NAID Center researching the economic impact of post-1986 immigration reform.
 
Dr. Franco went on to complete her Master’s Degree in Public Policy at the University of Southern California (USC), where she also completed a certificate in Public Management. Dr. Franco has over 15 years of experience in overseeing nonprofits and community-based programs and has a solid background in collective impact and network models. Previously, Dr. Franco spent seven years developing, evaluating, and managing programs at “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles; a program that sponsored students in elementary school years and work with the cohort until they graduate high school, and transition to post-secondary education, by providing whole child services. In collaboration with USC, Dr. Franco launched a mental health programming component at I Have a Dream that continues to serve students.  Dr. Franco has also served as a part-time lecturer in the Human Development Department at California State University – Long Beach (CSULB) and is a proud alumnus of Education Pioneers and the Magnolia Community Initiative Fellowship. Connect with Wilma on LinkedIn. 

Liliana Alonso – Associate Director

Liliana Alonso Maya is a longtime advocate for equity in education, health access, and inclusive public policy for all Angelenos, regardless of socioeconomic or immigration status. Her commitment to civic engagement began as a student organizer, where she recognized voter education and participation as critical tools for advancing equitable, community-driven policy change.

Throughout her career, Liliana has led and scaled voter engagement and outreach initiatives across Southeast Los Angeles, mobilizing and educating residents on local measures, propositions, and municipal elections. Her work spans the nonprofit and public sectors and includes curriculum development, adult literacy, expanded learning programs, youth development, civic engagement, advocacy, and cross-sector stakeholder collaboration. Liliana brings a community-centered, data-informed approach to leadership, grounded in deep relationships and a belief in the power of collective action to improve quality of life for historically underserved communities. Connect with Liliana on LinkedIn.

Sandra Nuñez – Communications and Marketing Manager

Sandra Nuñez is a first-gen Mexican American and completed her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Cal State – Fullerton. Sandra worked as a field nurse serving the SELA region for almost 2 years where she witnessed first-hand the inequity her patients would face which inform her advocacy efforts. For the last four years Sandra has dedicated her professional time as a social media and marketing strategist where empowerment and education is a priority. Sandra’s experience lies in managing day-to-day content creation while upholding the brand and developing social media strategies. Sandra is passionate about creating and fostering community through storytelling, sharing her story and empowering women to achieve academic success. Connect with Sandra on LinkedIn. 

Monserrat Ramirez-Mendoza – Operations Coordinator

Monserrat is a bilingual administrative professional withe a decade of experience supporting executive leadership in civic, nonprofit and advocacy organizations. Known for her thoughtful and organized approach, Monserrat excels in logistics, communication, and board coordination. She keeps operations running smoothly while supporting diverse, multilingual communities and navigating modern office systems with ease. Rooted in Southeast Los Angeles, Monserrat brings a deep understanding of the region’s diversity and the importance of inclusive, community-driven work. She’s especially passionate about civic education and its role in empowering people to make informed decisions and shape the places they live. Monserrat studied Political Science at California State University, Los Angeles. Connect with Monserrat on LinkedIn.

Alejandro Alvarez- Outreach Coordinator

Alejandro was born and raised in the South Bay Area and brings a strong commitment to serving diverse communities through inclusive and meaningful outreach. Alejandro currently serves as a leader at Community Worship Center, supporting programs and initiatives that strengthen both the congregation and the broader community.

Alejandro has over five years of experience in outreach and administrative roles with the Disciples of Christ Ministry Center and Community Worship Center. His experience includes planning and coordinating large-scale events, regional gatherings, and community initiatives, while supporting communication, logistics, and collaboration with churches, leaders, and community partners. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Alejandro is passionate about building trust within multicultural communities and supporting programs that create lasting impact.