Leadership

Rev. Miriam Witt- Board Chair

Originally from Wisconsin, Miriam Witt lived in Mexico for 15 years with her husband,Marcos Witt, where they founded Grupo CanZion. Today, Miriam is an ordained minister and pastor to the Hispanic congregation of Church in place where she and Marcos reside with their children Elena, Jonathan, Kristofer, and Carlos. Miriam acceptedt he invitation to participate in the Mujeres de Esperanza ministry because she believes in the strength of prayer and unity in the Hispanic community.

Mrs. Damaris Cortés- Vice Chair

Damaris Cortes has been teaching at an elementary school in North Philadelphia for more than fifteen years. She is an exemplary educator who has inspired countless students to excel in their aspirations for further education. She specializes in bilingual education for elementary school students. As speaker, she is often invited to talk on the importance of understanding culture and language in the classroom. Mrs. Cortés and her husband Rev. Luis Cortés, Jr., President of Esperanza, are parents of two, Damaris Ines and Luis III, and the proud grandparents of Alejandro and Iliana. Mrs. Cortes helped spearhead the Mujeres de Esperanza ministry with Esperanza.

Mrs. Lourdes Aguirre

Mrs. Aguirre is a Cuban-American raised in Los Angeles, California. She is now aresident of Miami-Dade since 1995 and is a proud a wife, mother, businesswoman, and servant of God. Lourdes has passionately served the Hispanic community for over a decade, nationally and internationally. She produces a television and radio program called “Eres America” which focuses on the Hispanic needs bringing solutions to their problems. Lourdes Chairs MBCS and CBIFCS, faith based organizations in Miami, which serve with wholesome programs those in greatest needs. She is part of the leadership team of Mission Miami and Association of Pastors of Greater Miami-Dade. Her involvement in political faith based boards is constant in the county of Miami-Dade. Her supportive husband and four daughters Jenelle, Michelle, Cassandra and Camillerose, from ages five through twenty-four, are the drive and the force, which move Lourdes to serve the Lord as states person and a successful Hispanic businesswoman. Her greatest goals are to improve our nation through prayer and Judeo/Christian values. When invited to be part of MDE, she saw God‟s hand moving nationwide to mobilize Hispanic women in prayer first, and then in action to be part of the solution and not the problem

Rev. Bonnie Camarda

Reverend Bonnie Camarda has served with The Salvation Army Eastern Division as the Director of Partnerships for the past ten years. She is also co-founder and current President of Hispanic Clergy, a consortium of clergy and churches of different denominations from Philadelphia and Delaware Valley region. Currently, she plays an instrumental role with the fundraising project for the Ray and Joan Kroc Crops Community Center. Rev. Camarda also proudly serves as Board Secretary for Esperanza, the non profit company created by Hispanic Clergy. Her professional accomplishmentsand community involvement are truly one in the same, and she has been recognized for her rare ability to reach men and women, the elderly and children, across socio economic and cultural lines. Rev. Camarda and her husband of 25 years reside in Philadelphia.

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier

Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier is an educator who integrates the disciplines of education with theology, spirituality and social sciences. She has written about cultural affairs, Hispanic theological education and the spirituality of the scholars. She teaches at the Instituto Bíblico Latinoamericano in La Puente and has taught at Kazajstán. Her passion for education has led her to conduct research on participatory community action, working on issues of justice. She conducts research and teaches in the areas of immigration and ecumenism related to religious education. Elizabeth is an ordained minister of the American Baptist Church with over ten years of church experience. She received her B.A. from Brooklyn College, her Masters in Divinity from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary and her Doctorate from Boston College.

Rev. Marilyn A. Hartman

Rev. Marilyn A. Hartman is founder and executive director of Bethlehem Christian Training Center, a local outreach ministry of El Shaddai Bethlehem Ministries that helpslow income families become self-sufficient, educated, and empowered through homeownership, financial literacy, parenting training, and entrepreneurial skills. As a speaker and teacher, Rev. Hartman designs and delivers presentations nationally and internationally on a variety of topics including strategic planning, organizational development, leadership, women‟s issues and Biblical topics. She and her husband,Gerry, are senior pastors of El Shaddai Bethlehem Ministries in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Rev. Rosa Magaly Martínez

Pastor, educator, wife, loving mother of four and grandmother of four, Rev. Martinez hasdedicated her life to the ministry. Currently she directs Precious Children Learning Center in Philadelphia; is an adjunct professor at Esperanza College and serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Confraternidad de Esposas de Ministros of the Spanish Eastern District of the Assemblies of God. Rev. Martinez serves as Board Chair of Esperanza, Inc.‟s Board of Directors. She was Co-Pastor of Sinai Assemblies of God Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she was also the director and founder of La Escuelita Academy, a preschool center. She has served on the board of Esperanza Academy Charter High School, a subsidiary of Esperanza, Inc. as well as served as an advisory committee member of the Preschool Project and Child Care Matters, Rev. Martinez actively serves on committees that are geared to the education of our future generations.

Mrs. Julissa Arce Rivera

Christian singer Julissa Arce Rivera was inspired to enter the world of music by her grandmother who mentored and provided spiritual guidance to her at an early age. Today, Julissa is among the most renowned Christian singers in the industry. Originally from Chicago, Julissa now resides in Texas with her husband, Mike Rivera, her producer. They are the proud parents of John Michael, Alyrah, and Jayden. Julissa‟s passion, and her love for the Lord which drives her life, are reflected in her production and performance. She has extensively toured Europe, Latin America and the United States where she has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognition for her songs, albums and performance. Among her recognition is the nomination to the prestigious Dove Awards, the Premios Tu Musica award for- Best Christian Production, the Producción Revelación del Año Award, the Paoli award; Premios Viva award, the International Femenine Voice Award, Premios Arpa and Best Femenine Voice of the Year Award as well as Premios La Conquista.

Mrs. Damaris Zayas

Mrs. Zayas, a young mother of two, recently obtained her Associates degree from Esperanza College. This fall, she will begin her Bachelor‟s degree in the field of education at Eastern University. For over ten years, she has volunteered and worked in school programs and summer camps. Mrs. Zayas is a strong advocate for youth empowerment and awareness on teen issues, such as self-esteem and teen pregnancy. Mrs. Zayas is not new to community transformation, having experienced first hand the founding and development of Hispanic Clergy, Esperanza, and Mujeres de Esperanza. As a second generation Mujeres, she provides the distinctive perspective on how to unite the generations in prayer, leadership and service. Mrs. Zayas and her husband, Emmanuel, live in Philadelphia with their two children: Alejandro and Iliana.