will gonzález, esq.
Executive Director, has over 35 years of experience working in the Latino community. The Philadelphia Foundation's Williams Award for Organizational Excellence & The Community Change Award from the Bread & Roses Community Fund recognized his leadership of nonprofits. Mr. Gonzalez has received various community awards, among them a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Legal Intelligencer, PA's premier legal publication. He is licensed to practice law in PA. He is the Past President of the Hispanic Bar Association of PA and a member of the board of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC). He has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Lehigh University and a Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law where he was awarded the Ralph Bunch Fellowship and the Law Students Civil Rights Research Council Fellowship. He has traveled extensively in Latin America and has vast experience as a radio host and newspaper columnist.
ivette rivera
Senior Program Coordinator, born and raised in Puerto Rico. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Human Resources at National University College. Ivette has worked extensively with Ceiba’s partner, Norris Square Community Alliance (NSCA) as both a volunteer and a Health Monitor. Ivette coordinates Ceiba’s financial coaching work through PHFA and Coordinated Ceiba’s IDA Matched Savings program.
MELISSA TAINA SANTIAGO
Assets Building Coordinator, was born in Philadelphia. At an early age her family relocated to Puerto Rico where she mastered her Spanish. Melissa Taina graduated from Kensington High School. She has devoted over 20 years to the nonprofit sector. She specializes in Housing Counseling, Real Estate Practices, Community Organizing & Financial Literacy. Melissa Tania is a HUD certified housing counselor. She is a recipient of the Excellence in Housing Counseling Award, attended the University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business where she earned her certification, and is a graduate of USTSA College of Public Policy Program.
JULIAN RIOS
Bilingual Collective Impact Coordinator, born in the coffee region of Colombia, Julian was brought to the United States at a young age and was raised in an immigrant family and community in New Jersey. He started his studies in Political Science at Seton Hall University before returning to Colombia where he continued his studies in Spanish Linguistics and Literature in La Universidad del Quindío. After 13 years in Colombia, where he organized teachers, workers, farmers, students and unions to fight for their rights, he has returned to the U.S., where he is dedicated to supporting the latino community in Philadelphia.
Antonia Offen
Assistant Impact Coordinator, was born and raised in Oklahoma. Antonia moved to Philadelphia after graduating from Oberlin College in Ohio, and has been working at Ceiba since 2021. She encourages civic engagement among the staff and clientele of the Ceiba-LEDC through educational sessions and activities. Her youth civics initiatives have reached over 200 youth in Eastern North Philadelphia, and continues to bring voter education resources to el barrio. She also assists in Ceiba's tax preparation program. Antonia is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
Daniel Galarraga
Bilingual Collective Impact Coordinator, having developed an interest in local politics at a young age through the involvement of family members in campaigns for local office, Daniel volunteered and worked on multiple campaigns for City Council and for Mayor of his hometown of Providence, Rhode Island while in high school. He came to Philadelphia to study economics at Temple University, where he continued his community involvement through volunteer work and internships with political campaigns. Upon graduation Daniel took a position at Ceiba hoping to learn more about the needs of his community and what he can do to help.
Julissa Agosto
Bilingual Intake Site Coordinator, born in North Philadelphia and raised with seven siblings. Julissa graduated from Edison High School, and went to Lincoln Technical Institute studying Automotive Technology. Graduating successfully, she also completed trade school for Front Desk Operations. Julissa worked for 5 years in the electric and gas industry, and has an extensive skill set that she brings to Ceiba’s front office. She is now looking forward to giving back to the community by helping others.
Wilmary Ortiz-Figueroa
Intake Coordinator, was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in New York and Philadelphia. Wilmary graduated from Frankford High School. She worked for 8 years as an Early Childhood Educator, and began working in homecare in 2018, which she continues while working at Ceiba.