Vice President/ President Elect - Sarah Adleman Spier
Sarah Adlemen Spier earned her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from the University of St. Thomas at Houston, Texas. Ms. Adleman has traveled to various locations for educational purposes, including France, India, and Mexico. As a Peace Corps worker in 2004-05 in Bangladesh, she facilitated classes and research on the Myanmar Refugee camps, and started a Women's Group in Cox's Bazaar. Ms. Adlemen worked as an English teacher in 2005 in Shandong, China and co-coordinated an English curriculum book. In 2006, she became a Registered Yoga Teacher and is owner of Whole Health Yoga. She volunteered as a mentor to the Women in Dialogue Homeless to Harvard event in 2006. Ms. Adlemen joined the Frontera Women’s Foundation board in 2006, serves as chair of the Program Committee and Chaired of the 2008 Spring Luncheon ad-hoc committee.

Secretary - Elena Acosta
Elena Acosta works as a program coordinator at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in the Education department. In conjunction with UTEP faculty and El Paso schools, Ms. Acosta promotes education programs that empower Hispanic girls and women to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering and math. She received her bachelor’s degree in Community Health in 2003 and her master’s degree in Public Health at New Mexico State University in 2005. Ms. Acosta has worked on improving El Paso’s health with the passage of El Paso’s Clean Indoor Air Ordinance and the adoption of green space for newly developed communities. She joined the Frontera Women’s Foundation Board in April 2006 and is a member of the Finance & Program Committee.

Treasurer - Zita Arocha
Zita Arocha earned her Master’s degree in English at the University of South Florida in Tampa in 1976. She currently is pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Texas at El Paso. A professor as well, Ms. Arocha also works as a senior lecturer for the Communication department at UTEP. In addition she is a staff writer and regular contributor to various newspapers, such as The Washington Post and USA Today. She is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and has done various fundraising efforts for the Hispanic community. Ms. Arocha joined the FWF Board in 2006 and serves on the Marketing/Development Committee.  

Yolanda Alameda

Yolanda Aguilar
Yolanda Aguilar received her bachelor’s of science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1981 from the University of Texas at El Paso, and has completed course work in Commercial and Industrial Lighting, Project Management, Geothermal AEE, Strategic Planning & Negotiations. She is a Certified Energy Manager. Aguilar began her professional career at El Paso Electric Company in 1982, moving up through the ranks as a Transmission Design Engineer to Industrial Power Consultant, Project Manager. She is currently Contracts Negotiator-Engineer for El Paso Electric. Aguilar is affiliated with the Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists, and currently serves as a Board Member of the National Association of Purchasing Managers. In 1999 she participated in Leadership Texas, and in 1998 she served as El Paso Electric’s representative for the YWCA Reach Award honoring El Paso women. She has also served as a mentor for the Ysleta Independent School District’s mentoring program at Ysleta Elementary School for the past 14 years, and has volunteered as a grant reader for the Frontera Women’s Foundation. She joined the FWF Board in 2006 and currently serves on the Program and Marketing/Development Committees.

Irasema Coronado
Irasema Coronado received her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Arizona, and obtained a master’s degree in Latin American Studies, also from the University of Arizona. She is associate dean in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at El Paso. The co-author of the book "Fronteras No Mas: Toward Social Justice at the U.S.-Mexico Border," Coronado has published widely in academic journals, books and other publications about issues of gender, politics, social justice and civic society on the U.S.-Mexico Border. She is co-chair of the Coalition Against Violence Toward Women and Families on the Border. Coronado joined the FWF Board in 2006 and serves on the Nominations Committee.

Caroline Kalman

Lisa Elaine McNiel
Lisa Elaine McNiel has a bachelor’s degree in English and Theatre Arts from Trinity University and currently volunteers, teaches, and lectures about her academic and personal interests. She is completing a master’s degree in Communication at the University of Texas at El Paso to compliment her master’s degree in Theater Arts from University of Texas at El Paso . From 2001 to the present, McNiel has worked as a speech and communication instructor at El Paso Community College. She is preparing to release a publication of “Vermeer’s Window” She has published poems in Sin Fronteras: Writers Without Borders Journal and has won numerous directing awards for her participation in the University Interscholastic League One Act Play Contest. She joined Frontera Women’s Foundation as a board member in 2006 and serves on the Marketing/Development Committee.

Leila Melendez,
Leila Melendez has her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, which she obtained in 2002 from The University of Phoenix at Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and is currently perusing a Masters in Business Administration at University of Texas at El Paso to graduate in the Spring of 2008. She has worked with the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as a business advocate and research director until 2005and is currently working with the City of El Paso in the Economic Development Department as Manager of Business Retention and Expansion, where she organizes and directs business recruitment and various expansion programs. Melendez is also involved in the Incentives Task Force for the city of El Paso and volunteers in other organizations devoted to the development of El Paso, such as the El Paso Empowerment Zone and was recently, participated in Leadership El Paso in 2006. She began to serve as a board member for The Frontera Women’s Foundation in 2006 and is currently working on the development of FWF’s Advisory Council that is set up to cultivated local Donors and new FWF Board Members.

Dr. Adlina Pablos, DDS
Dr. Adelina Pablos was born in southern Mexico but spent her early childhood in Cd. Juarez where her parents, both dentists, ran a successful private practice.  At age 14, her parents moved back to Mexico City where Dr. Pablos finished high school and was accepted to the prestigious Autonomous University of Mexico City’s Dental School.  In 1963 Dr. Pablos graduated as one of 50 women in a class of 200 dental students.  That same year, she married long-time sweetheart and classmate, Dr. Rolando Pablos and together they returned to Juarez to open their practice, which they still manage to this day.  Since arriving in the El Paso/Juarez area over 40 years ago, Dr. Pablos has been intimately involved in our border communities through her charitable work.  She has spear-headed several fund-raising events, for NGO’s in Juarez, and as a founding member of the Movimiento Familiar Cristiano, she has organized donation drives for the poorest of Juarez’s outlying neighborhoods, to provide potable water, electricity and elementary schools in the area.  As a member of the El Paso Catholic Diocese, Dr. Pablos has been confirmed by the Church as a Minister of Communion, and as such has been administering Holy Communion to terminally-ill patients at Providence Memorial Hospital and to the bed-ridden sick at their homes.  Based on her strong and loving marriage of over 40 years, Dr. Pablos and her husband have also been team leaders of the Worldwide Marriage Encounter,  as team leaders, Dr. Pablos and her husband have trained and prepared “encountered” married couples to administer Marriage Encounter weekends to other participating married couples.  In 2007, Dr. Pablos was named to the Board of the Frontera Women’s Foundation, where she is dedicated to improving the condition and social status of women and their families residing along the US/Mexico border.Ms. Pablos joined the FWF in 2008, and participates on the Program Committee

Virginia E. Price, CPA
Virginia E. Price is president of Genesis 21, a nationally recognized consulting firm located in El Paso, Texas. She has consulted for numerous national, regional and local clients such as Levi Strauss and & Co., Levi Strauss Foundation, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Labor, the Texas Workforce Commission and Upper Rio Grande @ Work Board. She is the treasurer of the Women’s Funding Network, past president of the El Paso 8(A) and Minority Government Contractors Association, past treasurer of the El Paso Empowerment Zone Corporation and the Rio Grande Cancer Foundation. She has served on the boards of the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Clinica Guadalupana and American Diabetes Association. Ms. Price is a co-founder of the Frontera Women’s Foundation and has served as President, Treasurer and was Chair of Finance Committee and is a member of the Development Committee.

Cristina Alicia “Teeni” Provencio,
“Teeni” Provencio comes from two of El Paso’s founding families Provencio and Samaniego.  A graduate of El Paso High School and attended the University of Texas at El Paso studying Mass Communications.  After nearly ten years in the restaurant/catering industry, working at places like Café Central in El Paso, TX and with Chef Lou Lambert of Liberty Catering and Lamberts in Austin, TX she decided it was time to realize a lifetime dream of owning her own Restaurant. February 2006 she opened “The Table” on the Cincinnati and Stanton St. in El Paso. Teeni has been an active volunteer in the community participating as a member and board member of the Bridge Center for the Arts for five years and as a member of the Junior League of El Paso. She believes that we all need to give back to our community and that empowering women and girls is a good place to begin her work.  Teeni joined the FWF Board in 2007 and serves on the Development Committee.

Belinda Sanchez

Tish Times
Tish Times is the owner of New Times Staffing and brings over 13 years of experience to her dynamic organization.  As a successful business owner, wife, and mother of three, she has mastered the art of flexibility and overcoming insurmountable challenges. Tish Times is a survivor of domestic violence and has rebuilt her life with the purpose of showing the world that you can accomplish anything, regardless of your past. Tish Times is using her life experience and professional accomplishments to better the lives of people through speaking and writing.  A recent recipient of the Help, Hope, Healing Award given by the El Paso District Attorney’s office and the Center Against Family Violence; Tish has used her voice to stand up for victims and underprivileged individuals.  In addition to all her other activities, Tish is an aspiring author and mentor to other women. As a Licensed Minister, she has a strong ethical and moral foundation which enables her to be sensitive to the needs of others. Tish Times has a passion for providing encouragement and motivation to those who may be trying to turn their lives around after a tragedy. With a mission of, “Impacting lives through employment opportunities” Tish endeavors to make a difference in the lives of each person she encounters.Tish Joined the FWF in 2008, and participates on the Nominations Committee.

 Ex-Oficio Founding Board Member - Carmen Rodriguez
Carmen Rodriguez has dedicated most of her 22 years in the legal profession to representing factory, and farm workers as well as working women in employment and civil rights matters. She is director of El Paso Texas Rural Legal Aid. Ms. Rodriguez has actively participated in and supported numerous women’s organizations, was a founder and past president of the El Paso Commission for Women and also served as president for the El Paso del Norte Public Policy Institute. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including MABA of Texas Outstanding Lawyer in 1991, and MALDEF’s Legal Services Award in 2002. Ms. Rodriguez has also served on local government committees and boards, including as chair of the El Paso Empowerment Board and chair for the Hispanic Leadership Institute Board. A former educator with a master’s degree in bilingual education and reading, she was a past president of Border Women’s Development Fund, the precursor organization to Frontera Women’s Foundation. She serves as chair of the Nominations Committee.

Staff
Pat Graham-Casey
Executive Director

Cecy Vázquez
Professional Consultant in Program Development/Technical Assistance

Denise Hernandez
Executive Assistant