New Board Members Join UnidosUS to Help Advance Defend, Protect and Advance the Latino Community
WASHINGTON, DC — UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization, is proud to announce the addition of four distinguished leaders to its Board of Directors:
- January Contreras, president and CEO, Children’s Action Alliance | Phoenix, AZ
- John Esquivel, retired chief ethics and compliance officer and associate general Counsel, Shell Oil Company | Houston, TX
- Chris Iglesias, CEO, The Unity Council | Oakland, CA
- Eliazar Posada-Orozco, council member, Town of Carrboro, North Carolina | Carrboro, NC
These new members bring experience in public service, corporate governance, community development and local leadership, strengthening the Board’s capacity to guide UnidosUS’s mission at a time of growing urgency for many communities, including the Latino community nationwide.
“We are proud to welcome these four outstanding leaders whose diverse expertise and deep commitment to expanding opportunities will help advance UnidosUS’s mission,” said Janet Murguía, president and CEO of UnidosUS. “Their leadership comes at a time when Latino communities are facing unprecedented challenges. With their guidance, we will continue pushing forward policies, practices and partnerships that grow wealth, foster health and build power.”
“We are excited to have new members joining the UnidosUS Board,” said Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick, chair of the UnidosUS Board of Directors. “Each brings a deep commitment to public service, community strengthening and equal opportunity. Their insights will deepen the Board’s capacities and help us advance meaningful, lasting change at a pivotal moment for our organization and the Latino community.”
Additionally, two new appointees to the UnidosUS Board of Directors’ Executive Committee include: Dr. Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, Secretary and Rudy Espinoza, at-large member.
The announcement comes ahead of the 2025 UnidosUS Annual Conference, Beacons of Change, to be held August 5–7 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Conference is the largest gathering of Latino advocates, community and business leaders, young professionals, and allies from across the country.
The UnidosUS Board is a 20-member body composed of representatives from UnidosUS Affiliates, elected officials, the corporate sector and national leaders. Board members reflect the diversity of Hispanic ethnic groups and geographic distribution of the U.S. Hispanic population. By mandate, the Board must include equal representation of men and women.
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