
WHO WE ARE
In response to the Coronavirus emergency and its disparate impact on Maryland’s Latino community, Maryland Latinos Unidos (MLU) was established in 2020 to unify statewide efforts supporting Latino and immigrant populations. Latino and non-Latino leaders are convening to form this collective, which is led by Executive Director Dr. Gabriela Lemus and guided by a Steering Committee.
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis highlight the ruptures in Maryland State’s government benefits system where services are not being rendered. Latinos have been impacted disproportionately by the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis has highlighted the need for cohesion and support systems amongst organizations and individuals working to support and advocate for the quickly growing Latino and immigrant community in Maryland. Although the establishment of this organization was rooted in addressing emergency needs, our intention is to operate to reduce the various disparities and barriers affecting these communities.
Maryland Latinos Unidos has entered into an agreement with Maryland Nonprofits and operates as one of the association’s programs.
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Veronica Cool
Chair
Founder
Cool & Associates
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Dr. Gabriela Lemus
Executive Director,
Maryland Latinos Unidos
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Ana Carrera
Manager,
Pro Bono Counseling
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Michelle García
Chief of Staff, District #1 Councilmember, Tom Dernoga
Prince George’s County, County Council

Mónica Guerrero Vásquez
Executive Director,
Centro SOL
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Heather Iliff
CEO,
Maryland Nonprofits
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Elizabeth Ysla Leigh
Attorney and Director of Government Relations and Legal Affairs
Society of Professional Benefit Administrators
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April Lugo
Chief of Staff/ Senior Manager,
Allstate Corporation
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Asela Rebecca Mejías
Talent Acquisition Manager,
MassMutual Greater Washington
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Joseph Morales
Secretary
Founder/ CEO ,
The Morales Law Firm
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María Pilar Rodríguez
Founder Small Business,
MPR Business Solutions, LLC
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Catalina Rodríguez Lima
Director,
Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MIMA)
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CONTACT US:
- Dr. Gabriela Lemus, Executive Director, Maryland Latinos Unidos
Glemus@mdlatinosunidos.org
- Veronica Cool, Chair, Maryland Latinos Unidos Steering Committee
Veronica@CoolAssociatesLLC.com | (443 )854–1444
- Heather Iliff, President & CEO, Maryland Nonprofits
Hiliff@mdnonprofit.org | (443) 438-2348