Dr. Norma Olvera, PhD
President
Norma Olvera, Full Professor, Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences Department, University of Houston. Dr. Olvera is the 2017 USDA E. Kika de la Garza Fellow, 2012 Obesity Society Fellow, and the Latino Health Disparities Lab Director. She received her doctoral degree in Developmental Psychology, with focus on maternal and child health from the University of Houston. Dr. Olvera’s research has focused on the development of family-based obesity interventions designed to promote healthy eating, exercise, and positive body image in Hispanic and African American youth. Dr. Olvera has 25 years of teaching experience and has published in high-impact journals, with a substantial number of google citations. Dr. Olvera has secured over $7,000,000 in federal/state and foundation funding. Her passion is to build healthy families, healthy communities.
Maria E. Cantu-Ondarza, MEd, MBA
Treasurer
Maria E. Cantú -Ondarza’ s commitment is to improve the Hispanic health. She is Director of Development & Community Giving at Legacy Community Health, Inc., where she fundraises for programs and capital campaigns and oversees Legacy’s Little Readers initiative in 46 pediatric clinics. Maria’s past work experience also included teaching at the Facultad de Trabajo Social, Cerveceria Cuauhtémoc y Famosa, Private International Bilingual Schools in Monterrey, Mexico, Christus Medical Group, and Legacy Community Health. Maria collaborates with different organizations such as the March of Dimes, Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, Mayor’s Adult Literacy Initiative, Mexican Consulate-Red Global, Reach Out & Read-UT-Health Children’s Learning Institute, Asociacion de Empresarios Mexicanos-Woodland. She earned a Master of Education at Universidad de Monterrey and a Master of Business Administration-Healthcare concentration from the University of Phoenix.
Cynthia Resendiz, MS
Secretary
Cynthia currently holds the position of Digital Marketing Manager at Baylor College of Medicine. Her professional background encompasses valuable experience in Federally Qualified Health Centers, dedicated to serving a substantial population lacking insurance coverage. Through her journey, she has developed a profound understanding of the noble mission undertaken by nonprofits to enhance the well-being of numerous children and adults. This exposure has strengthened her commitment to promoting health equity within communities of color. Her contributions have earned her the prestigious Stella Trimble Community Service Award. She has also received recognition from Council Member Castex-Tatum for her active involvement in the Stakeholder Advisory Committee for the Houston Southwest Livable Centers Study. Currently, Cynthia actively participates in L.I.F.E. Houston’s marketing committee, generously volunteers her time at the Children’s Museum of Houston, and holds a membership in the esteemed Junior League of Houston.
Linda Civallero, MPH
Linda Civallero is a native Houstonian who is committed to improving health in our community. She is the Director of Community Engagement at the University of Houston College of Medicine, where she builds and maintains relationships and facilitates collaborative projects with community partners in the Third Ward and East End. Most recently, she helped manage school-based grants for mental health prevention and early intervention at The Menninger Clinic. She served 18 years at MD Anderson Cancer Center, managing and directing federally-funded cancer prevention projects. Linda’s experience includes grant development, project planning and implementation, and community engagement. Linda earned a master’s degree in public health from UT Health Houston, School of Public Health and a bachelor’s degree in sociology and biology from Trinity University.
Isela Garcia, B.S.
Ms. Isela Garcia, B.S., is a Community Marketing Specialist at Texas Children’s Health Plan. Ms. Garcia has over 25 years of supervisory healthcare experience in community engagement, including provider relations and medical claims evaluation. Ms. Garcia’s goal is to improve health awareness in our Hispanic community. She has been a Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo volunteer for over 13 years serving in 4 different committees focused on fundraising for scholarships. Ms. Garcia also serves on the board of Latin Women’s Initiative where she has been responsible for community engagement, marketing, strategic planning, and fundraising. Ms. Garcia earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston in Public Relations with a minor in Mexican American Studies.
Enrique Serrano, MBA
Enrique Serrano is the Marketing Director at Baylor College of Medicine, bringing over 15 years of experience in strategic marketing, branding, and brand management. Enrique has a solid entrepreneurial background and a proven track record in building compelling brand identities and executing innovative marketing strategies for startups and established companies. His expertise in marketing and leadership is backed by a bachelor’s degree in business administration, a major in economics and marketing, and a master’s in international business. Enrique’s dynamic approach and dedication to excellence drive his mission to position organizations for success.