Dr. Juan Gomez-Quiñones specializes in the fields of political, labor, intellectual and cultural history. He earned a B.A. in literature, M.A. in Latin-American Studies and a Ph.D. in History from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he now serves as Professor of History. Professor Gomez-Quiñones has been active in higher education, cultural promotion and Chicano Studies efforts. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship and pursued his research at the University of Texas. He trained in social analysis at the Newberry Library Community History Program, Chicago. Dr. Gomez-Quiñones was co-editor of “Aztlan, International Journal of Chicano Studies Research” and currently serves as President of the Council of Trustees for Semillas Sociedad Civil.

Mr. Edmundo Perez has been a member of the Council of Trustees since 2002. As an active member of the community of El Sereno, he also served as President and Treasurer for OPAM, an organization dedicated to serving indigenous immigrants from the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. He earned a veterinary/animal husbandry and accounting degree from El Colegio Nacional de Educación Tecnica from San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Mr. Perez is currently the Treasurer of the Council of Trustees and a parent of three students enrolled at Academia Semillas del Pueblo, Semillas’ K through 8th grade charter school.

Dr. Irene Vasquez received her Ph.D. in History from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has served as a member of the Council of Trustees since 2002. Some of her publications and editorial works include: “Chicana/o Movement,” New Dictionary of the History of Ideas (2004) and “Afro Latino Influences,” Encyclopedia Latina (2004). Dr. Vasquez is currently the Chair of the Chicana/o Studies Department at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Mr. Julio Martinez holds a Masters in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University and a B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles. Mr. Martinez served as Legislative Director for Assembly Member Judy Chu, 49th District, and is currently the Chief of Staff for Assembly Member Mike Eng, 49th District, in Sacramento. Since 2002, he has been a member of the Council of Trustees of Semillas Sociedad Civil. He is also a board member of the Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Association, an organization dedicated to preserving and restoring the habitats and wildlife native to the Stone Lakes region.

Sandee Ayala serves as a member on the Council of Trustees and is an active parent of two students at Semillas Community Schools. Ms. Ayala has worked with the Los Angeles Unified School District American Indian Education Commission and participates as a lead dancer in the Xinaxcalmecac dance circle, a traditional Aztec dance group. Ms. Ayala currently works as a social worker, which has enabled her to work with diverse communities and populations, particularly low-income families.

Filiberto Gonzalez presently serves as Chief Development Officer for the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation in Montebello, CA. Mr. Gonzalez has been the secretary of the Council of Trustees for Semillas Sociedad Civil since 2007. He possesses a Bachelor of Arts in Chicano Studies from California State University, Northridge, and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California. He has extensive experience in writing grant proposals to private and corporate foundations and government agencies. Among other things, Mr. Gonzalez is co-founder & facilitator for Project Amigo, a Spanish speaking neighborhood watch program.

Marcos Aguilar is co-founder and Executive Director of Semillas Sociedad Civil. In 2001, he served as charter school developer for Escuelas Autonomas Dignidad, a community-based group of parents and educators where he was responsible for designing the curriculum, organizing strategist plans, community mobilization, budget management, and governmental relations. He also served as a bilingual single subject secondary teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District from 1994-2001. Mr. Aguilar received a Bachelor’s degree in Chicana & Chicano Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1994. Additionally, he holds both a single subject teaching credential in Social Science and a Masters in Education Administration from California State University, Los Angeles.