Our Team

Howard Alvarez is the Programs Director of the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation. He manages the Housing, Employment, Community, and the Business Incubator programs. Howard also supports the Executive Director to over seeing the operations of PHDC. He collects data to report the impact of these programs on the Latino community in the greater Pittsburgh region to improve their execution and advocates for access at city, county and state level. He also manages educational activities at PHDC to inform and create advancement in the Hispanic community.

Howard has a bachelor’s degree in Foreign Affairs from the Central University of Venezuela. He is currently in the second year of his Master’s Degree of Public and International Affairs with a concentration in International Political Economy. Howard enjoys interacting with the community, helping and empowering people. During his studies, he was captain of the AUDAS – International Team of Spanish Debate, and faculty advisor of delegations for models of the United Nations in Venezuela, and other countries.

Ernesto Peroche is a Strategic Operations Development Consultant at the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation. He specializes in advancing technology integration, optimizing loan processes, and providing comprehensive financial evaluations. His role involves enhancing technological frameworks and financial strategies for new and existing businesses within Pittsburgh’s Hispanic and Latino communities. Ernesto also offers expert guidance on securing business capital and financial assistance options.

Ernesto holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from the Universidad Nacional del Litoral in Santa Fe, Argentina, and is currently pursuing a Specialization in Information Systems at the Universidad Tecnológica Nacional.

His background includes prominent roles such as Business Analyst at the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation, where he significantly contributed to the growth and success of Latino businesses in Pennsylvania. Additionally, he founded a consultancy that helps entrepreneurs and organizations grow their businesses through strategic development and innovation.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Ernesto is passionate about traveling and mountain trekking, often exploring new destinations and engaging in outdoor adventures.

Ximena Villanueva is a Business Analyst at PHDC. She specializes in supporting companies achieve accelerated growth through economic development initiatives, community reinvestment programs and optimized customer onboarding. Her work also involves assisting clients in navigating permitting and licensing processes, as well as providing expert guidance on securing business capital and financial assistance options. Additionally, Ximena offers business education programs.

Ximena holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary and Hotel Management from the Colegio Superior de Gastronomía in Mexico City, Mexico, and a Postgraduate Degree in Culinary Arts and Business Management from the DCT Swiss Hotel & Business Management School in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Her background includes prominent roles at Nestlé Mexico, where she demonstrated her ability as a highly accomplished bilingual Marketing and Retail Sales Leader. She brings extensive experience in driving customer engagement, strategic business development and brand growth, in addition to proven ability in translating consumer insights into actionable strategies, delivering measurable sales increases and operational efficiencies.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Ximena is an avid culinary explorer, always on the lookout for new gastronomic adventures. Together with her husband, she shares a passion for discovering the world through food and wine.

Lorena (Lola) Jimenez Ficarra is a Housing Navigator at the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation. As Housing Navigator she assists the Latino Community to connect with Landlords to obtain access to rental properties. She also works with Real Estate Agents assisting in the process of homeownership.

Lorena has experience in Real Estate Management, providing services to Latino families for over 6 years, which leads her to understand the needs of the Latino community. Lorena’s ability to connect with members of the community is key to the success of the housing initiative at PHDC.

Aurora Pinto is a Bilingual Employment and Community Navigator for PHDC. She is responsible for connecting community members with employment opportunities in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
She also identifies and connects community members in need of legal assistance, employment inquiries, and coordination of job applications with employers. She also assists the Program Manager in coordinating activities with partners related to tax preparation for the Latino community, as well as various community events.

Aurora has a Ph.D. in Rhetoric (Communications) from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, where she has taught various courses in the area of ​​Communications. At the same University, she obtained her Master’s degree in Corporate Communication, and in her native Venezuela she graduated as a Social Communicator at the Andres Bello Catholic University, in Caracas.

Aurora has extensive experience in the area of ​​Corporate Communications in the petrochemical industry in her country of origin, as well as in advertising and public relations.

Aurora enjoys outdoor sports such as hiking, jogging, and bicycling. As an art lover, she regularly participates in various Urban Sketching groups in the city of Pittsburgh.

Alice Rivera joined PHDC in September 2023 as a Bilingual Employment Coordinator Consultant. She assists in connecting community members with employment opportunities in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Alice also works as a legal assistant and document reviewer. While at PHDC, she hopes to continue to contribute to the Hispanic and Latino communities in the area.

Alice is originally from Puerto Rico; she has lived in Pittsburgh for 9 years. She graduated from the Pontifical Catholic University of PR, where she majored in Psychology. Outside of work she enjoys reading, painting, and spending time with friends and family.

Selene Alvarado is a Business Analyst Coordinator Consultant for the Hispanic Corporation Incubator. Her job is to evaluate the business ideas of aspiring entrepreneurs before they can incorporate their companies. 

Originally from Mexico, Selene holds a degree in Communication and a master’s degree in Philosophy from ITESO, the Jesuit university in Guadalajara. She has gained professional experience in various fields including communication, advertising, and institutional relations while working for several large companies.

Sebastian Muñoz is currently working part-time with the business incubator at the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation. With his skills in client service and bilingual communication, he helps as a business analyst to new and currently existing Latino entrepreneurs with permit applications and certifications, as well as a translator for any documents and offices they require contact with.

Sebastian is originally from Mexico and finished High School in Texas at The Woodlands High School, he has an intense passion for economics, reading, and Latino Politics.

His purpose for joining PHDC is to help the Hispanic community become independent and successful as well as to find themselves comfortable in a distinct culture such as the United States of America

Rebecca A. Rosas is a Business Analyst Intern for the Business Incubator Program at PHDC. She specializes in researching and applying for necessary permitting and licensing for our entrepreneurs in order to comply with all regulations on a state and federal level. Her work also includes increasing the efficiency of the Incubator through the creation of standardized forms unique to different business types, as well as increasing the effectiveness of the current business education program.

Rebecca was born and raised in New Jersey to Mexican parents, speaking both English and Spanish, a skill she uses to coordinate meetings with entrepreneurs that may need translation services. She is currently studying at Carnegie Mellon University and pursuing a B.S. in Business Administration, a Minor in Engineering Studies, and a concentration in Business Analytics and Technologies. While working at PHDC she looks forward to helping the local hispanic community grow their businesses.

Outside of work you can find her cooking up a new recipe from different countries, reading, or crafting a new project.

Kiara Lazu is a Business Analyst Coordinator Consultant.   She assists the Business Analysts with time sensitive deliveries.  She also acts as a translator for business documents and provides support to the day to day activities.   Currently, Kiara has been focused on helping business owners with permit applications ranging from health permits to building permits.

Kiara is originally from Connecticut and is in Pittsburgh studying Business Administration with concentration in Strategic Management at Carnegie Mellon University.  Outside of work, she is often creating student events as the Internal Outreach Chair at Carnegie Mellon’s Spanish and Latino Student Association.  Because of her background in non profit organizations and the arts, she is passionate about applying her studies to supporting marginalized communities.

Since his arrival in the US from his native country of Venezuela, Juan Jaramillo has established himself as a prominent violinist in a variety of music scenes around the country.    He is a product of the internationally famous “EL Sistema ” orchestra program that started in Venezuela.  Currently he is the Principal Second of the Wheeling Symphony and first violinist for the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet Orchestras, as well as the Sarasota Opera and Sarasota Orchestra.    In addition, Juan is the Events Coordinator Consultant at the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation.  Juan has also shared the stage with international artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Vince Gill, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Kansas, Ray Charles, Bernadette Peters and more.

Juan received his Bachelor’s Degree and Artist Diploma from Duquesne University and also earned a Master’s Degree from Penn State University.  When he is not performing, rehearsing, or teaching, Juan enjoys running, cooking and the movies. 

Kareny Azuaje serves as the Events Coordinator at PHDC. Her role involves planning, organizing and managing logistics for events and social activities that celebrate Pittsburgh’s Hispanic community’s culture and strength.

Originally from Mérida, Venezuela, Kareny holds a degree in Modern Languages from the Universidad de Los Andes. She brings extensive experience in transportation logistics, import/export operations, international relations, and customer service to her position.

In her spare time, Kareny enjoys planning trips and participating in outdoor activities, particularly hiking. A lover of fall weather, she also volunteers her time as a bilingual interpreter, helping community members navigate important paperwork.

My name is Sandy Jacqueline Ruiz Linan, I was born in New Jersey, but grew up in Guatemala, I am the intake coordinator at PHDC, I take the calls to welcome and register clients,  gather information about the client and create a profile on the PHDC platform. Also I am the ISAC Navigator, I help refugees and immigrants thrive in Allegheny county.  

I studied Marketing at the Universidad Mariano Galvez in Guatemala.  I joined PHDC to learn and be able to contribute to the Latino Community realizing its dreams. My hobbies are playing board games, making crafts and making designs in the Cricut program.

Nureddyn Ballout is the Ambridge Outreach Consultant at the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation.
He assists in connecting community members with employment, housing and business opportunities in Ambridge Borough.
Nureddyn also actively works to improve permitting and paperwork processes through the development of software tools. Knowing first-hand the difficulties that an immigrant faces when settling in the United States, he is driven to contribute to the Latino community around him.

Originally from Venezuela, Nureddyn is a software developer with a solid background in management and customer service, with critical thinking being a fundamental part of his professional work.

Diana Andrade is an Administrative Assistant Consultant at the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation. Her daily activities include helping the office staff, making sure not to leave out any details, and managing all phone calls, emails, and correspondence. Diana is aware of the business start-up process, and ideas that people bring to PHDC every day in search of guidance.

Diana studied Law at the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo in Mexico. She joined PHDC to learn and to contribute to the Latino Community.  Diana enjoys learning from the people who come to PHDC and she is very grateful for the opportunity and plans to continue assisting her community.  

Simone Pazian has a degree in Public Relations and Pedagogy and a postgraduate degree from USP (University of Sal Paulo/Brazil) in People Management.  In addition, she has taken several courses in Business Management and Finance.

Simone worked in the Logistics Area for two large multinationals.  After this experience, she migrated her career to Human Resources,  where she had the opportunity to work at a logistics company and was  responsible for structuring the Human Resources Department.  

After gaining experience, Simone decided to open a company in the Pet Industry.   Along the way, she specialized in Business Management and networked to share experiences.  Her company was referenced as a Business Model for companies in the same segment.  It was a moment of great satisfaction of professional and personal growth.

Leila Vazquez is the Portuguese Coordinator Consultant at PHDC, a recently established position aimed at providing the Brazilian community with the same resources and opportunities offered to the Hispanic community.  In her role as the Brazilian Navigator, Leila will focus on the three key pillars of the PHDC – Employment, Housing and Business incubator – providing valuable assistance to Brazilians as they strive to achieve success in their personal and professional endeavors as immigrants in the USA.

With over 20 years experience working with immigrants as a teacher, translator and service coordinator, Leila is perfectly suited to use her wealth of knowledge to support the Brazilian community that has been lacking in initiatives such as those offered by PHDC.   Her degree in Portuguese and English as a second language from the esteemed University Gama Filho in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, along with her specialization in translation, make her a valuable asset to the community she serves.