Executive Direction

Gustavo Torres - Executive Director

310 Tulip Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 301.270.0419 Mr. Torres has been recognized nationally and internationally for his leadership and vision in the immigrant rights movement in the United States. Originally a union leader from Colombia, Mr. Torres came to the U.S. to avoid political persecution. He joined CASA's staff as a community organizer, and has served as CASA's Executive Director since 1994. Under his leadership, CASA has grown from an organization with a handful of staff members and a budget of under $500,000 to a nationally awarded multi-service Latino advocacy and support agency with a staff of over 50 and a budget of nearly $5 million. Mr. Torres was the founding president of the Maryland Latino Coalition for Justice, a statewide grassroots lobbying organization, and has served as a Board member on the National Capital Immigration Coalition, the Prince George's County Executive Transition Committee, Board President of the National Day Labor Organizing Network, member of the Envision Greater Washington Work Group to develop a strategic visioning process for the region for the next 25 years, and on numerous task forces and leadership groups addressing issues of diversity, immigrant rights, and multiculturalism across the Washington metropolitan area. In December 2001 Mr. Torres received the Ford Foundation's prestigious "Leadership for a Changing World" award, akin to the MacArthur Genius Awards presented to 12 grassroots leaders nationwide. In 2002, Mr. Torres was named one of 15 Washingtonians of the Year by Washingtonian Magazine. Under his direction, CASA has received numerous awards and national recognition, including: the National Council of La Raza Affiliate of the Year Award in 2004, which recognized one of over 300 Hispanic-serving organizations for their excellence in serving the Latino community; the Letelier-Moffitt Domestic Human Rights Award, presented to CASA by the Institute for Policy Studies in 2003; the Annie E. Casey Foundation "Families Count!" award, presented to CASA in 2005; and the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund Community Service Award, presented in March 2006.


Mauricio López - Executive Assistant

310 Tulip Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 301.270.0419 Mr. Lopez, originally from Perú, comes to CASA with several years of real estate experience, working in the Latino community. He has a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Maryland. His responsibilities at CASA include executive administration, Board development, and staff support to the Executive Director.

Administration

Wilma Linares - Chief of Finances and Administration

310 Tulip Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 301.270.3270 Ms. Linares comes to CASA with more than ten years of experience in budgeting, financial analysis, financial reporting, project and accounting oversight in an international arena for commercial and non profit organizations, and more than seven years of consulting experience for small and medium sized private companies in strategic and operational planning with an emphasis on financial and operational design, projections, implementation and monitoring. Ms. Linares has held finance and management positions at multiple non-profits overseas, with a focus on women's economic development. As CASA's CFA, Ms. Linares supervises the entire financial and administrative division of the organization that includes accounting and audit oversight, contract, human resource, IT and site management.


Eliza Leighton - Director of Strategic Initiatives

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 215


Marlon Mitchell - Comptroller

310 Tulip Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 301.270.6130


José García - Information Technology and Database Manager

310 Tulip Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 240.354.4299


Francisco Larra - Human Resources Manager

310 Tulip Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 Born in Andalusia Mr. Larra has lived and worked in different countries including Spain, Guatemala and Dominican Republic. Mr. Larra’s professional background starts as an educator and psychologist in educational institutions and universities as well as institutions dealing with issues regarding HIV, low income families and prostitution. Some of his duties included counseling and psychological therapies in special centers, and working with food and drug programs in different non-profit organizations. He specialized in Human Resource Management and Psychology Research, publishing various articles in prestigious scientific magazines. He comes to CASA with several years of experience in Human Resource Management.


Silvia Navas - Site Manager

2729 University Blvd. W. Wheaton, MD 20902 301.213.2054


Ellen Mitchell - Project Manager

310 Tulip Ave Takoma Park, MD 20912 240.353.2373


Ruby Pardo - Business Manager

310 Tulip Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 301.270.3609


Debra Preusse - Full Charge Bookkeeper

310 Tulip Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 301.270.3609


Sandra Restrepo - Maintenance Specialist

743 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 ext. 209

Development

Jennifer Freedman - Director of Development

310 Tulip Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 301.270.7471 Ms. Freedman has served as CASA's Development Director since January 2004. Under her leadership, CASA's budget has grown from $2.6 million to nearly $6 million in 4 years. CASA currently boasts a wide range of funders and supporters, including over 45 foundations, 250 individuals, over a dozen congregations, and government contracts from the federal, state, county, and city-level. As Development Director, she is responsible for all fundraising activities, including oversight of CASA's "Building for the Future" Campaign. Ms. Freedman is a graduate from IMPACT Silver Spring Community Empowerment Program, and a graduate of the Non-profit Leadership Institute. She is a also a member of the Leadership Montgomery class of 2008.


Maria Elva Maldonado - Development Associate

310 Tulip Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 301.270.0142 Ms. Maldonado has been with CASA since 2000, first as a Board member, then leading CASA's Housing Program, and currently managing corporate and individual giving in development. Under her direction, CASA's Housing Program conducted the one of the first bilingual housing and neighborhood indicator surveys in partnership with the University of Maryland, surveying tenants in the apartment complexes in Long Branch. Prior to her work at CASA, Ms. Maldonado worked with several unions, including utilities, hotel and restaurant workers, building trades, and farmworkers, as a labor lawyer. She holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law School.


Megan Myer - Grant Writer / Coordinator

310 Tulip Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 301.270.1806 As CASA’s Grant Writer / Coordinator, Ms. Myer is responsible for writing foundation and government proposals and reports, as well as researching new sources of funding and communicating with funders. She comes to CASA with several years of experience in the field of nonprofit fundraising, having worked in the development and legislative offices of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, as well as for a private elementary school in DC. Ms. Myer is originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and graduated cum laude from Elizabethtown College with a B.A. in Religious Studies and Peace and Conflict Studies.


María Clara Samaniego - Development Assistant

310 Tulip Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 301.270.7471 Ms. Samaniego was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador. She comes to CASA with several years of experience in the non-profit sector working with The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) and the Juniata College Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (JCEL). Her work experience also includes having worked for the State Modernization Department in Ecuador where she focused on proposal analysis for a national referendum. Ms. Samaniego graduated from Juniata College with a B.S. in International Business and Art.

Community Organizing and Political Action Department

Kim Propeack - Director of Community Organizing and Political Action

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x216 Ms. Propeack is the Director of CASA's Community Organizing and Political Action Department. Since graduating from law school in 1995, she has represented hundreds of low-wage workers in cases seeking minimum wage, overtime, and damages for involuntary servitude. In 2004, she created a Friends of New Marylanders campaign which has successfully defended against anti-immigrant state initiatives, including legislation to place a lawful presence requirement on driver's licenses, English-only legislation, and legislation to shut day laborer centers. As Director of CASA's Community Organizing and Political Action Department, Ms. Propeack has supervisory responsibilities for 14 organizers and implementation responsibilities for 12 community associations and several advocacy campaigns. Ms. Propeack also coordinates press strategy and relations for CASA, resulting in over 400 press coverages per year. Ms. Propeack co-authored and conducted study of discrimination by state entities: Unequal Justice: Barriers to Justice for Latinos in Maryland. She was the recipient of Humanitarian of the Year Award 2005, Latin American Task Force of the River Road Unitarian Universalist Church, a recipient of Daily Record Leadership in Law 2003 award, and named a Washington Post Prince George's Edition "Person to Watch in 2004"


Delia Aguilar - Tenant Organizer

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x222


Elizabeth Alex - Senior Manager - Baltimore Center

2224 East Fayette Street Baltimore, MD 21231 410.732.7777 x 20 Ms. Alex holds an MSW in Management and Community Organizing from the University of Maryland School of Social work, and has managed CASA's Baltimore office since 2006. She brings over 10 years of experience in cross-cultural organizing and social justice work to the organization, including experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Africa and Latin America. Ms. Alex also serves on the board of the Latino Providers Network in Baltimore.


Marino Córdoba - Senior Worker Organizer

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 249 In 1996, Marino Córdoba, a well-known community advocate and national Afro-American leader from Colombia, was forcibly displaced from his home as a result of illegal paramilitary actions against the civilian populations in Chocó. Early in his life, Mr. Córdoba distinguished himself as a dedicated leader and representative of his community, peasants and small farmers of the many communities of African heritage that people the Pacific region of the country. Within the widespread violence of raids and massacres, he was specifically targeted and threatened as an important outspoken leader, as President of the Small Farmers Organization of the Lower Atrato Ocaba Region, and as leader and Special Advisor to the Council of Black Organizations. Having pursued studies in Public Administration, focused on Social Management and Community Development, he had also played a prominent role in the Constitutional Assembly of 1991, successfully advocating for recognition of traditional identity and land rights for Colombian Afro-Americans. Marino survived and continued his activities in Bogota, the capital, under continuous threats to his life during the last few years because of his increasingly prominent national and international leadership roles. During this time, Mr. Córdoba worked as Special Assistant in the Office of Congresswoman Zulia Mena. He founded and became the first President of the National Association of Displaced Afro-Colombians (AFRODES) and the Bogotá District Council of Black Organizations. He was forced to abandon the country in January 2002, fleeing from yet another planned assassination attempt, has received asylum in the United States, where he works and travels to denounce the deplorable situation for human and civil rights in his homeland, and in particular, to garner support for the cause of Afro-Colombian communities besieged by the violence of war. Mr. Córdoba, who continues to be the spokesperson and legal representative for AFRODES-USA, he is also the Senior Worker Organizer at CASA de Maryland since 2006.


Doris DePaz - Senior Tenants and Domestic Workers Organizer

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 212


Alexis DeSimone - Domestic Worker Organizer

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 252


Roberto Juárez - Tenant Organizer

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 213 Mr. Juarez, a U.S. born Latino, has been with CASA since September 2007 organizing tenants in the Long Branch Community. Mr. Juarez is a recent graduate from the University of Maryland, College Park, receiving a B.A. in Government and Politics. He was the first in his family to graduate from college. While attending UMCP Mr. Juarez was an active student leader serving as the President of the Latino Student Union, Editor-in-Chief of La Voz Latina and Co-Chair of the Advisor Action Committee. Mr. Juarez received the 2007 Outstanding Latina/o Undergraduate Student Award for his work on addressing issues concerning the Latino Community.


Eddy Luna - Worker Organizer

2729 University Blvd. W. Wheaton, MD 20902 301.933.4461 x 201


Ricardo Mejia - Worker Organizer

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 205


Irene V. Muñiz - OSI Fellow/Community Organizer

2224 East Fayette St. Baltimore, MD 21231 410.732.7777 Ms. Muñiz holds an MSW from the University of Maryland and was awarded a community fellowship from the Open Society Institute. With a background in community organizing and social action, Ms. Muñiz plans to use her fellowship to bring together low-wage workers of diverse backgrounds and facilitate a conversation across cultural differences toward improved working conditions and economic stability for workers. Ms. Muñiz began working with CASA in 2006.


Elizabeth Ortiz - Domestic Worker Organizer

2224 East Fayette St. Baltimore, MD 21231 410.732.7777 Ms.Ortiz graduated in 2007 from Wesleyan University with a Bachelors in Sociology. She also spent time researching alternative development models in Brazil, and Venezuela. Prior to her work with CASA de Maryland, Inc., she was a Youth Organizer in New York City, and Washington with SEIU Local 32BJ.


Otoniel Paz - Worker Organizer

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.437.4185


Sara Pellecer - Worker Organizer

16642 Crabbs Branch Way Rockville, MD 20855 301.926.0810


Ana Perla - Tenant Organizer

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 223


Héctor Pop Chun - Complex Campaign Organizer

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 211


Mario Quiroz - Communications Specialist

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 264 Mr. Quiroz-Servellon was born in San Salvador in 1974. . Mario is a freelance photographer specializing in black & white gelatin silver prints and hand colored portraits. Mario is an adjunt faculty at Montgomery College in Rockville. He also teaches photography classes to at risk youth in Langley Park, MD. Mario spends his summers teaching youth photography classes at public schools in Rockville, MD and is also a resident artist for the Arlington Public School System in Virginia. Mr. Quiroz is the Communications Specialist for CASA de Maryland.


Elizabeth Torres - Worker Organizer

2224 East Fayette Street Baltimore, MD 21231 410.732.7777 x 18 Ms. Torres was born and raised in Puebla, Mexico, and graduated in 2005 from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors degree in International Studies. Ms. Torres has 2 years of experience in electoral politics and constituent services work with the Utah State Legislature. Before coming to CASA in 2007, Ms. Torres completed an internship at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research in Washington D.C. Today she organizes day laborers in Baltimore City to improve their quality of life.

Education and Leadership Department

Darwin Bonilla - Manager of Education and Leadership

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 208


Francisco Cartagena - Financial Literacy Coordinator

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 253


Yecenia Castillo - ESOL Program Coordinator

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 266


Juan Reyes - Vocational Training Coordinator

2729 University Blvd. W. Wheaton, MD 20902 301.933.4461 x 204


Fernando Rigueros - Economic Development Coordinator

2729 University Blvd. W. Wheaton, MD 20902 301.933.4461 x205 Fernando Rigueros is a global citizen. He has lived, studied and worked in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. While in Latin America he was a development project consultant with the United Nations Development Program and conference planner with the United Nations Information Center. Mr. Rigueros also worked as a language and project consultant with the Environment Ministry of Colombia where he coordinated and facilitated international conferences on Sustainable Community Development with afro-Colombian and indigenous populations. Upon arriving to the Washington DC region he worked as a community organizer and youth civic educator with new immigrants at the Close Up Foundation. Mr. Rigueros has also owned and managed his own small business in language and interpretation services. While in college he interned at the International Trade Administration, US Department of Commerce and later held a commercial position at a US Embassy in Latin America counseling small businesses. Mr. Rigueros has two B.A. degrees from the University of California, La Jolla in San Diego, California. One in Political Science and the other in Urban Planning. He holds a graduate degree from the Universidad Externado de Colombia, School of Government, Finance and International Relations in Project Management for Development. Mr. Rigueros coordinates the Home Improvement and Small Business development workshops at CASA de Maryland.


Brenda Voit - Pine Ridge Community Center Coordinator

8615 Piney Branch Road Silver Spring, MD 20901 301.445.3139


Paul Zilly - Curriculum Development Specialist

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 207 For the last 10 years, Paul Zilly has worked for community-based organizations committed to social justice and the rights of immigrant workers. In 1997, after teaching English for three years overseas, Paul returned to his hometown of Seattle, Washington, where he served as an AmeriCorp volunteer in the education program at CASA Latina, a grassroots organization that organizes day laborers and their families. In 2001, Paul moved from Seattle to the metropolitan D.C. area, where he collaborated with a group of day laborers in his ESOL classes at CASA de Maryland to develop a participatory ESOL curriculum which uses popular education to explore common problems day laborers face when they come to live and work in the United States. Since then, Paul has been an active member of CASA de Maryland’s education team, working to develop educational curricula and popular materials in advocacy and lobbying, citizenship, ESOL, financial literacy, and community organizing.

Services Department

Maria Paige - Director of Services

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 221 Ms. Paige comes to CASA with fourteen consecutive years of non-profit work in direct service, supervisory, and executive management functions. She has extensive experience in administrative and program management, budget monitoring, contractual compliance, client-driven service provision, and social and economic justice issues. She held several positions at Neighbors Consejo before coming to CASA, including Director of Programs, Deputy Executive Director, and Director of Operations. She is a Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC) and fully bilingual and bicultural. At CASA, Ms. Paige is responsible for directing CASA's largest department, including 4 senior managers, over 30 staff, and 4 locations.


Elisa Jaramillo - Senior Manager for Health Services

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 257 Dr. Elisa Jaramillo received her degree as a medical doctor in her home country of Colombia and she recently received the MPH degree from Harvard University. She has been working as the Senior Manager for the Health Programs of CASA of Maryland since 2006. As the Senior Manager of the Health Programs, Dr. Jaramillo ensures the development and implementation of 6 prevention-based public health programs which promote community leadership in building a healthy community, provide education and access to screening and treatment for HIV, diabetes, heart-health and cancer. She also supervises three programs that address the need for improved access to medical treatment by providing a bilingual telephone health-information line to inform community members of available services, facilitating their navigation through the system, and by providing medical interpreting services for limited English speakers. This involves the provision of trained medical interpreters to community clinics and for associated specialty care. Additionally, CASA provides primary health care services once per week in one of our sites.


Kerry O'Brien - Senior Manager for Legal Services

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 217 Kerry O’Brien is Senior Manager of the Legal Program. From 1998 to 2005, she was engaged in building and growing the District of Columbia’s first workers’ rights center. From 1998 to 2000, she was the Crowell & Moring Equal Justice Works fellow at Bread for the City, where she started an employment practice. In 2000, she co-founded the D.C. Employment Justice Center with Judy Conti and was co-director until 2005. The EJC is an employment rights center for low-wage workers which provides legal services, mainly through a weekly Wednesday workers’ rights clinic, advocates for positive workplace laws and organizes workers to build power. Kerry and Judy were named Lawyers of the Year by the Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association and also won fellowships from the Echoing Green Foundation for social entrepreneurship. She was also a rule of law liaison for the American Bar Association in Yerevan, Armenia, and a campaign coordinator at the Service Employees International Union. She is a 1998 cum laude graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and a 1992 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. She is proficient in Russian and Spanish, and in 2008, completed a course at the Academia Espannol in Medellin, Colombia. She is licensed to practice law in Maryland and D.C.


Tona Cravioto - Senior Manager for Employment Services

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 202


Fernando Garavito - Shady Grove Center Senior Manager

16642 Crabbs Branch Way Rockville, MD 20855 301.926.0810 x 202


Guadalupe Adams - Quality Control Coordinator

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 248


Marcela Alvarado - Health Access Coordinator

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 258 Ms. Alvarado was born in the city of Arequipa, Peru, where she received her degree in Business Administration. In 2003, Marcela became a volunteer health promoter for the program of “Vias de las Salud”, of Montgomery County. During this time she also worked as a trainer with the Early Childhood Services. Marcela joined CASA of Maryland in 2005, as the Family Literacy Initiative Coordinator based in Pine Ridge Community Center. Later she became a member of the Health Program of CASA were she coordinates the Medical Interpreter Program and medical appointments with Mobile Medical Care at the CASA Silver Spring worker’s center.


Alma Archila - Paralegal

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 255


María Paola Bonilla - Intake Specialist / Receptionist

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 200


Rachel Boss - Paralegal

Baltimore Worker's Employment Center Baltimore, MD 21231 410.732.7777 Ms. Boss has worked for CASA since October, 2007. A native of New Hampshire, Rachel spent a year in Quito, Ecuador as a high school exchange student through the Rotary International Youth Exchange program. It was there that she gained fluency in Spanish. She graduated from Goucher College in 2007, where her involvement in the Peace Studies program gave her further appreciation for the struggles of Latinos living in the United States.


Michelle Escobar - Employment Specialist

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 203


Candelaria Flores - Intake Specialist

2224 East Fayette St. Baltimore, MD 21231 410.732.7777 x 0


Elizabeth Flores - Intake Specialist

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 260


Sara Guitierrez - Employment Specialist

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 210


Myrna Hernandez - Peer Network Specialist

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 261 Ms. Hernandez was born in El Salvador. She joined CASA's Health Program as a volunteer health promoter in 2003. In her work as a health promoter Myrna provided important information, education and referral for preventive services to individuals at high risk for HIV/AIDS, cancer and cardiovascular disease. As of 2006, Myrna became a staff member working as the Peer Network Specialist. In her position, Myrna coordinates the Health Outreach Program.


Irene Jallo - Health Information Specialist

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x262


Guy Johnson - Staff Attorney

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 234


Anna Kaminski - Employment Specialist

2729 University Blvd. W. Wheaton, MD 20902 301.933.6674


Adriana Martinez - ID Specialist

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 237


Lindsay Morris - Avodah Fellow/Legal Assistant

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 233 Ms. Morris joined CASA de Maryland September 2007 as an AVODAH: Jewish Service Corp Member. Lindsay works with the low-income and immigrant community in the Silver Spring legal office and assists in providing housing and employment legal services, MVA document review, and locating recent detainees. She is also a member of the Maryland Regional Rapid Raid Response Planning Team. Last year, Lindsay was an AmeriCorp VISTA in Pennsylvania collaborating with organizations to promote healthy lifestyles in the community. Lindsay graduated from Bucknell University in 2006.


Frederic Ngongang - Employment Specialist

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 204


Jacinta Nino - Employment Specialist

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.933.4461


Fabián Painemilla - Employment Specialist

16642 Crabbs Branch Way Rockville, MD 20855 301.926.0810 x 200


Hérman Perez - Social Services Specialist

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 256


Abdel Piedramartel - Baltimore Education Coordinator

2224 East Fayette St. Baltimore, MD 21231 410.732.7777


Germán Reyes - Employment Specialist

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.926.0810


María Elena Rocha-Santos - Health Information Specialist

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 262 Ms. Rocha was born in Oaxaca, Mexico and came to the United States in 1999. She started in CASA of Maryland as a volunteer health promoter where she provided education and referral to community members, covering the topics of HIV/AIDS, cancer prevention, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. As of 2006, Maria Elena became a CASA staff member as the Night-Information Specialist serving clients through the Bilingual Health Hotline. Mrs. Rocha provides information and referral to low income, uninsured, community members who need health and human services. She is also an active member of the Vias de la Salud health promoter group of the Latino Health Initiative of Montgomery County.


Violeta Ruiz - Social Services Specialist

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 232 Ms. Ruiz was one of the first CASA staff members, and has been with the organization since 1985 when it was created in partnership with the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church. Ms. Ruiz has worked in the social services program since that time, serving thousands of community members every year. She is a native of El Salvador.


Jessica Salsbury - Staff Attorney

734 University Blvd. E. Silver Spring, MD 20903 301.431.4185 x 201 Jessica Salsbury is a staff attorney in CASA's legal program, where her work focuses on employment issues that affect domestic workers and victims of human trafficking. Jessica received her J.D. from the Washington College of Law at American University and her B.A. from Duke University. Prior to working at CASA, as a law student, Jessica represented asylum seekers through participation in the International Human Rights Law Clinic and taught Constitutional Law to D.C. high school students.


Maria del Mar Trejo - Employment Specialisit

2224 East Fayette Street Baltimore, MD 21231 410.732.2694 Ms. Trejo holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and has significant volunteer experience in Mexico and Baltimore in developing youth leadership. She has been with CASA since 2006.


Liza Zamd - Staff Attorney

2224 East Fayette Street Baltimore, MD 21231 410.732.7777 Ms.Zamd joined CASA's legal department in 2006. Liza works in the Baltimore office where she uses advocacy, litigation, and education to assist low-income and immigrant workers. Prior to joining CASA, Liza was a 2005 Women's Law and Public Policy Fellow at the National Partnership for Women & Families. There Liza focused on a variety of issues such as employment discrimination, affirmative action, judicial nominees, and family/medical leave. Liza graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 2004, and from Yale University in 2001.