Melissa Morales is the Founder and President of Somos Votantes (C4) & Somos PAC (527). In 2022, Somos ran a $23 million dollar Latino-focused electoral program focused in battleground states for the 2022 midterm elections, including the key states of Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan. In 2020, via Somos Votantes (C4) and Somos PAC (527), Melissa ran a $33 million program across 9 battleground states for the Presidential and key U.S. Senate races.

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In addition, Melissa served as the 2020 Planning Consultant for the Statewide Arizona Wins program as well as the Florida State Director for Win Justice - a coalition of seven organizations, including SEIU, Community Change Action, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Color of Change PAC, and multiple grassroots state organizations. Melissa’s previous roles include Research Director for Equis Research, Executive Director of SEIU Florida, 2018 Win Justice Florida State Director, and she also previously managed IE Programs for the 2016 Presidential Campaign in battleground states with SEIU. Through her work, Melissa has supported progressive candidates across the country, helped pass minimum wage ballot initiatives and helped restore voting rights to disenfranchised voters. Melissa is happiest when she’s surrounded by family - who anchors her and is the reason she does this work.

Miguel Avitia is the Chief of Staff for Somos Votantes and Somos PAC.  He joined Somos after a successful 20+ year career that encompassed community organizing, statewide coalition building, lobbying, policy victories, redistricting and candidate and independent campaigning. Miguel loves building up and cultivating leadership teams. Prior to joining our team, Miguel held  various state and national  leadership roles, most recently as the National Senior Deputy Political Director at America Votes.

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Miguel has dedicated his career to electing leaders who reflect the communities they represent, to help pass policies that improve our lives and that remove barriers that prevent us from participating in our democracy.

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Miguel is the proud son of immigrant parents from Durango, Mexico. He enjoys spending time with his son, Matias, going to the zoo and playing chess.

Laura Hernandez is the National Partnerships and Program Director for Somos Votantes and Somos PAC. She works with our state teams and partners to drive forward our mission to empower hardworking Latinos in shaping the future of our democracy.

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Laura's unwavering dedication to the advancement of Latinos, especially mujeres Latinas, has been a lifelong passion. She joins Somos after over a decade of experience working to build power for working families who are often shut out of the political process. Most recently she worked at SEIU Florida training and preparing a new generation of community organizers and labor leaders.

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Laura was born in Medellín, Colombia and was raised in South Florida. She has a dog named Bruno and enjoys reality TV shows. She is inspired by the women in her life, their resilience, strength and determination.

Emmanuelle Leal-Santillan is the National Communications and Media Director for Somos Votantes and Somos PAC. He provides innovative communications strategies to help amplify our national and state work as we empower the next generation of Latino voters.

Prior to joining our team, Emmanuelle led communications for Somos Un Pueblo Unido and Somos Acción in New Mexico. Through his communications work, Emmanuelle has helped Latino working families build long-term power by passing policies to increase the minimum wage, securing economic relief for those left out of COVID-19 assistance programs, and forming a new electorate that reflects the growing Latino population, especially in rural communities.

Emmanuelle was born in Durango, Mexico, raised in Las Vegas, NV, and has spent nearly two decades in various roles within the immigrant and workers’ rights movement. He is driven by his experiences as a Queer, Indigenous, formerly undocumented/DACAmented immigrant, and is inspired by his community’s resilience and perseverance. Emmanuelle enjoys spending time with his family, especially his adorable nephews.

Cristian Avila was born in Mexico and moved to Phoenix, AZ when he was 9 years old. He has spent nearly two decades working to build power for Latino and immigrant communities.

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As a DACA recipient, Cristian is driven by the passion, resilience and resolve of the immigrant rights movement.Cristian has worked with various progressive organizations like Mi Familia Vota, labor unions, national foundations, businesses, faith and public policy leaders.

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He joins our team with vast experience in the areas of voter mobilization, electoral campaign strategies, community engagement, public policy advocacy, targeted field research, and bilingual communications campaigns.

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Cristian is a proud father, a baseball fan, and can be seen wearing his cowboy boots while fighting to create change.

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As the Arizona State Director, Cristian is working to ensure Latinos and immigrants in Arizona have the tools and opportunities they need to fully participate in our democracy by taking action in their own communities and building a better future for all.

Angel Gabriel Lazcano Jr. was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. A first generation Mexican-American and son of a union service worker, Angel graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a degree in Political Science in 2021.

Angel's political organizing experience began in 2018 during the midterm elections as a canvasser. During his time at UNLV, Angel represented the “Rebels for Bernie 2020” student organization as its Treasurer, helping turn out the youth vote around campus during the 2020 caucus. After graduating, Angel began organizing with the local DSA chapter and currently serves as Las Vegas DSA’s Housing Justice Priority Steward, helping tenants with eviction defense and tenant organizing. Angel was elected to Las Vegas DSA's Steering Committee in February 2022, and helps lead the chapter as a whole.

Now at Somos Votantes, Angel brings his political organizing experience and his passion for environmental justice to build strong, healthy communities across the state of Nevada.

Gabriela is the Digital Intern for Somos Votantes and Somos PAC. She works closely with our team to engage and mobilize the Latino community on social media. She hopes to better understand the complex issues affecting our community and how social media can play a role in our efforts to empower Latinos.

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Along with being part of our Somos team, Gabriela is currently a senior studying Political Science & International Studies at the University of Oklahoma. She served as the Executive Chair for a student-led civic engagement organization called Latinos Unidos, the Vice President of Internal Affairs for the Multicultural Greek Council, and a member of the executive team for the Hispanic American Student Association at OU. 

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Gabriela was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She grew up in a military family and moved around alot; attending four different elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. Gabriela is driven by her unique background and experiences, and uses her adaptability and resourcefulness to engage with her community. She's inspired by the people she works with, both at Somos and at the University of Oklahoma, who positively impact others and advocate for change.