Staff

Manuel Hidalgo, Executive Director
Tommy Lopez, Development Associate
Ivania Teran, Small Business Projects Specialist
Leda Hernandez, Director of Administration
Douglas Black, Chief Financial Officer
Leah Thomas, Bookkeeper
Rossana Espinoza, DC Site Manager
Jaime Maltes, Wheaton Site Manager
Kate Drew, Director of Development
Ash Kosiewicz, Director of Communications and Advocacy
Emily Coronado, Director of Small Business Development
Mattias Kraemer, Financial Capability Coordinator
Cesar Lopez, Director of Lending
Carlos Arango, Microfinance Loan Officer
Angela Buitrago Neira, Maryland Small Business Coach and Trainer
Christina Stockamore, Microfinance Loan Officer 
Pamela Cañas, Microfinance Loan Officer
Diana Avellaneda, Loan Administrator
Manuel Ochoa, Regional Director of Homeownership
Marcia Camilo, Senior Bilingual Housing Counselor
Walda Yon, Senior Bilingual Housing Counselor
Wendy Alvarenga, Senior Bilingual Default/Foreclosure Housing Counselor
Patricia Belbusti, Senior Bilingual Default/Foreclosure Housing Counselor
Beatriz Zapata, Bilingual Default/Foreclosure Housing Counselor
Jose Rodriguez, Senior Bilingual Housing Counselor
Farah Fosse, Director of Affordable Housing Preservation
Tamira Ramirez, Bilingual Tenant Organizer
Manny Ruiz, Bilingual Tenant Organizer
Monica Buitrago, Bilingual Tenant Outreach and Organizing Associate

Manny Hidalgo, Executive Director, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Manny Hidalgo has served as Executive Director of the Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) since 2005. In addition he serves as Vice President of the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development’s Board of Directors, member of the Nonprofit Roundtable’s Board of Directors and was recently appointed by Governor Martin O'Malley to the Maryland Small Business Commission.  He is a graduate of the 2007 class of Leadership Greater Washington and the 2008 class of the Nonprofit Roundtable Executive Fellowship Program.  In 2009 he won the Center for Nonprofit Advancement's EXCEL Leadership Award, the funds from which he is using to help pilot a micro-enterprise development project in Cuba. Manny has a Bachelors degree in History from Georgetown University and a Masters degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from Florida International University. Originally from Miami, Florida, Manny is a second generation Cuban American who has published several articles about Cuba in various academic journals and newspapers. He lives with his wife and four children in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Tommy Lopez, Development Associate, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tommy Lopez joined the LEDC team in October 2010 shortly after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs in Latin American Studies. Before coming to LEDC, he interned in Santiago, Chile at the Economic Affairs Directorate of the Foreign Affairs Ministry in 2009 researching economic treaties and worked at a national labor confederation in Lima, Peru helping to organize advocacy for young workers in 2007. Although he is new to the Washington metro area, Tommy is committed to giving Latinos in the region the financial and educational tools they need to improve their economic and social situations. Tommy also enjoys working for an organization like LEDC that touches the lives of Latino entrepreneurs and families. As Development Associate, he works on grant reporting and supports the Development Director. In his free time, he enjoys running, exercising and reading Latin American literature.

Ivania Terán, Small Business Projects Specialist, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ivania Teran joined LEDC’s extended family in November 2009 as the Executive Assistant of Manny Hidalgo. Ivania is originally from Leon, Nicaragua but has lived in the DC area since she was eight years old. She attended schools in the District of Columbia but moved to Hyattsville with her family to complete her studies. She also worked during the summer for the Engaged University at University of Maryland-College Park and the American University. Ivania played an active role in the Hispanic Organization for Leadership and Achievement, Alpha Phi Omega, and the Office of Multicultural Affairs. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and International Relations from Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. She recently completed a internship at the National Council of La Raza this past December. Ivania likes to hike, travel, and learn different languages.

Leda Hernández, Director of Administration and Controller, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

As Director of Administration and Controller at LEDC, Leda Hernández is responsible for all bookkeeping and procurement activities, managing and reconciling all bank accounts, and preparing financial reports for internal and external use. Leda has been working at LEDC in this capacity for the past ten years. Prior to joining LEDC in June 1998 she worked for the City Tavern Association where she served as an accountant. She received a B.S. in Accounting with a minor in Business Management from Strayer University in 1997. Leda says “my observation and experience of the under-representation in the government and the poor quality of life that is prevalent in so many communities has inspired me to consider the role I can play in making changes in these situations.” Leda serves the community with passion. She volunteers her time on Fiesta DC’s Board of Directors and enjoys partaking in DC’s various cultural activities.

Douglas Black, Chief Financial Officer This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

As Chief Financial Officer, Douglas Black brings over 15 years of experience in accounting and finance to his role providing strategic financial leadership for the Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC). Prior to joining LEDC, Douglas was the Chief Financial Officer for Easter Seals in the Greater Washington-Baltimore region. At the financial helm of a $10 million organization, Douglas oversaw the finances of the organization that included the annual audit, budget, and other financial matters. Douglas was also responsible for the IT Department and led Easter Seals through an organizational infrastructure project to enhance its billing and collections systems and overall financial reporting. Douglas has also previously worked at the Academy for Education Development where he served as a Senior Financial Manager supporting projects in Eastern Europe, Latin America, South America, and Africa with budgets in excess of $30 million. As an immigrant from Jamaica, Douglas' belief in LEDC's mission is grounded in his appreciation and respect for the contributions that all immigrants have made to ensure that future generations are able to succeed in all endeavors. Douglas has a BSBA in Accounting and Management Information Systems from the University of Central Florida. He will soon receive his MBA from the University of Maryland in 2012. He currently lives in Washington, DC.

Leah Thomas, Bookkeeper, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

As LEDC's Bookkeeper, Leah Thomas brings over 20 years of experience working in the non-profit sector. Having relocated from the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California and with strong ties to Oakland, Leah is excited about being part of an organization that supports economic development on many fronts: homeownership, small business development, as well as tenant and homeowner rights. Working closely with LEDC's Director of Finance and Administration, Leah assists with preparation of financial reports, performs accounts payable and accounts receivable functions, assists with budget preparation and management, performs bank reconciliations, and assists with annual audit. Previous to LEDC, Leah worked as office manager/bookkeeper for DC Greenworks. She enjoys writing, reading, art making and spending time with family and friends.

Angelica Rufino, Bilingual Receptionist This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Angelica is LEDC’s face—the receptionist at our DC headquarters. She greets and helps everyone who walks through our doors. She is the first person you’ll speak with when you call the organization and she makes sure callers get directed to the person they desire to speak with. She also is responsible for helping the staff when they have office meetings, booking the conference room, and making sure everyone has all the office supplies they desire. She is well-suited for this role, having learned from her retail and other non-profit experience to listen to people in order to identify what kind of assistance they need, and how to refer them to other places that better suit their needs--an essential skill in LEDC so we can find out which of our various departments would be best for a client. Angelica likes seeing our mission come true and seeing our clients understand that with a positive attitude, things that seemed unreachable can be achieved. When she’s not working, Angelica enjoys reading novels and the newspaper. She also enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.

Ash Kosiewicz, Director of Communications and Advocacy This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ash Kosiewicz joined the LEDC team in August 2009 after graduating from Georgetown's School of Foreign Service with a Master's Degree in Latin American Studies. Ash entered the world of communications advocacy and fundraising in 2004, traveling to Guayaquil, Ecuador to work with a local foundation and rice farmers to raise funds for the construction of a health center in the rural canton of Santa Lucia. Ash returned from Ecuador and worked for two years as development associate and communications director at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. During graduate school, he traveled to Lima, Peru and worked with the Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team to help the organization expand its communications toolbox through the incorporation of information communication technology (ICT) tools, including blogs, vlogs, and other electronic communications. Ash enjoys how communications advocacy allows him to fuse his two passions - human rights and journalism - and is excited to continue his work with community-based organizations. As Communications and Advocacy Director, Ash directs LEDC's communications and advocacy work. Ash loves to play basketball, learn about his Polish heritage, follow Latin American politics, and is an avid watcher of Sunday news programs.

Kate Drew, Development Director This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kate Drew is LEDC’s Director of Development. Kate has worked at LEDC since 2006 and has been involved with all facets of LEDC’s fundraising activities. While earning a Master of Public Policy degree from Georgetown University, she focused her studies on the roles that nonprofit organizations play in the policy process and wroteher thesis on the community benefits derived from homeownership. During her time at Cornell University, she worked a semester abroad in Guayaquil, Ecuador at a micro-finance institute and earned a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Communication and Development Sociology. Kate is thrilled to do what she can to make LEDC’s vision come true and to play a role in helping make DC a more equitable place where people can dream big and have opportunities to achieve their goals. As Development Director, she is responsible for finding partners and raising funds that support LEDC’s operations and work.

Emily Coronado, Director of Small Business Development This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

As Director of Small Business Development in LEDC’s DC office Emily Coronado works to build quality training and technical assistance to help startup and existing entrepreneurs gain the skills, knowledge and support they need to be successful. Her experience establishing Project ABC, a non-governmental organization based in the Dominican Republic, combined with her experience managing programs for domestic nonprofits has prepared her to work in the dynamic environment of local community development. Emily is a graduate of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs where she earned her Master’s in Public Administration. Having worked at LEDC in a variety of capacities over the last three years she finds it exciting to be working with an organization that has such a clear and tangible impact in the community where she herself resides.

Mattias Kraemer, Financial Capability Coordinator This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mattias joined LEDC in July 2011 and has worked for the social and economic empowerment of the Latino community in Washington DC and all over the world. Born and raised in Adams Morgan, Mattias enjoys the opportunity to contribute to his neighborhood and city and considers this work a very real and life long commitment. As Financial Capability Coordinator, Mattias provide clients with a host of credit education services, including: Individual Credit History Analysis; Individualized Credit Report Review; Credit Score Health and Improvement HOW TO’s; Financial Capability Step-by-Steps; Specialized Credit Building Product Referrals; Coaching; Group Workshops. Mattias brings to the job his own personal experience having gone through the process of establishing, building, and improving his own family’s credit from the ground up. In his spare time, he enjoys playing the guitar, harmonica, and hand drum.

Cesar Lopez, Director of Lending This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

As Director of Lending, Cesar has worked in more than 25 countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia as well as with private, government and international organizations in the field of microfinance. Before joining LEDC, Cesar worked for 15 years with ACCION International, a private, nonprofit organization, serving multiple posts including vice-president of operations for Latin America, vice-president and head of the Department of Financial Services, and vice president and program manager of Global Programs. Cesar's belief in LEDC's mission is grounded in his appreciation and respect for new immigrants who are working to reach the American Dream as many other generations before them. Cesar believes immigrants infuse new energy in our communities and bring diversity and new skills that enrich our lives. As LEDC's Director of Lending, Cesar helps current and future micro and small entrepreneurs to reach their potential by helping them to create jobs and increase their quality of life. Cesar likes to travel and learn about different cultures, enjoys swimming and spending time with family, and also enjoys teaching underprivileged high school kids to prepare for college.

Carlos Arango, Microfinance Loan Officer This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

As Microfinance Loan Officer, Carlos works closely with small businesses owners in Maryland and Virginia and connects them with LEDC's growing microloan program. Meeting with clients on a daily basis, Carlos organizes a weekly "How to Start a Business" seminar for entrepreneurs, helping them understand the numbers behind a successful business - including cash flow statements, balance sheets, and profit and loss calculations. An industrial engineer with a specialization in Economics, Carlos joined LEDC in Fall 2009 and is currently completing a Master's Degree in Economics from John Hopkins University. Carlos enjoys working with people from diverse backgrounds; as a Latino living in the U.S., Carlos understands the challenges of being an immigrant and feels proud to work in a place that understands the immigrant experience and works to open doors of opportunity for all immigrant communities. In his free time, Carlos enjoys vegetarian cooking, ultimate frisbee, hiking, and taking long walks in the city. Carlos' favorite reading subject is history.

Angela Buitrago Neira, Maryland Small Business Coach and Trainer This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Angela moved to the United States in January 2008 from her native Colombia. Since arriving, she has worked in many banks and appreciates the complexities of navigating the financial system that immigrants face. Before moving to the United States, she worked for Microsoft as a Contact Center manager where she enjoyed assisting clients. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in International Marketing, and she is currently completing an Associate’s Degree in International Business. As the Maryland Small Business Coach and Trainer, Angela is responsible for working closely with aspiring and established small business owners in Wheaton and other parts of Maryland. She enjoys being with her husband, sharing good food with family and friends, walking, jogging, traveling, dancing and listening to music.

Christina Stockamore, Microfinance Loan Officer This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Christina Stockamore joined the LEDC team at the start of 2010 as the Business Outreach Manager for the Wheaton, Maryland office. Now, as Microfinance Loan Officer, she works to help small businesses access credit through LEDC's microloan program while building and maintain relationships with LEDC’s partner organizations in order to reach aspiring entrepreneurs in Montgomery County. A graduate of Georgetown University with a Masters degree in Latin American Studies, Christina is eager to combine her passion for economic development and entrepreneurship to improve the wealth-building capacity of others. After completing her graduate work, Christina spent a year working for National Geographic’s Center for Sustainable Destinations. She hopes to bring her experience running a summer camp for at-risk youth in Costa Rica to her position and in the process strengthen the community in which she lives. In her spare time, Christina can often be found riding her road bike, practicing yoga, cooking, or planning her next travel adventure.

Manuel Ochoa, Regional Director of Homeownership This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Manuel T. Ochoa is the new Regional Director of Homeownership for LEDC. Previously, Manuel was principal of the Washington Urban Collaborative, a consulting firm specializing in urban planning, affordable housing, commercial revitalization, and historic preservation. Manuel has more than fifteen years of national experience working in urban planning and the affordable housing arena. Previously, Manuel served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Grant Programs in HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development. He was responsible for $4 billion dollars in several grant programs that included the Community Development Block Grant Program, HOME Investment Partnerships and managed over $30 billion in disaster relief assistance to the Gulf Coast and the Midwest. He was a key player that launched the first $4 billion Neighborhood Stabilization Program. A member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, Manuel has a varied background in urban issues affecting metropolitan areas. Manuel is also a founding member of the Region Forward Coalition, led by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Manuel is a native of South Florida and a graduate of the University of Miami and a Master’s Degree in Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Manuel enjoys running along the Potomac River and Rock Creek Park. He completed the Marine Corps Marathon in October 2009.

Walda Yon, Senior Bilingual Housing Counselor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Walda Yon brings six years of experience working with the Latino community in Washington, DC. Prior to working with LEDC, Walda worked in administrative and out reach capacities with Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Carlos Rosario International Career Center & Public Charter School, International Migrants Development Fund, and Alfa Omega Tax Service. Originally from Guatemala, Walda came to the US in 2000 with solid work experience in customer service and procurement at one of the leading sugar refineries in the country. In her position as Housing Counselor Walda educates clients on the credit system, financial literacy and the home buying process. She can also be seen in the community leading workshops at off site venues. Walda is motivated by the fact that she is helping to improve the financial health of the community. She knows that by providing the tools for wealth-building to each client, she is helping their families and the community as a whole. Walda in her spare time enjoys keeping up to date on information related to her work. She also likes to take walks and enjoy the scenery of Rock Creek Park.

Marcia Camilo, Senior Bilingual Housing Counselor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

In her role as Housing Counselor Marcia Camilo helps clients understand the home buying process and whether or not they are ready to buy. Marcia’s training with the NeighborWorks Institute has provided her with a strong base of knowledge. However, she credits her own clients as the reason she is great at her job. With each new client Marcia learns from a new experience. Marcia sees LEDC's mission coming true with her work every time a client goes to closing or every time she learns of her client becoming a homeowner. In her spare time Marcia likes to walk, dance, cook and read interesting books.

Jose Rodriguez, Senior Bilingual Housing Counselor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jose Rodriguez, as Housing Counselor helps clients through the steps of homeownership by hosting HPAP seminars, counseling clients on how they can improve their credit, and by calling lenders and other professionals to speed up the home-buying process. Since the inception of the Homeownership Counseling program in October 1993, Jose has been counseling, educating, organizing, and serving as one of the Latino community’s “go-to” guys for any question about housing issues. Involved with housing counseling and tenant organizing since 1990, José has helped organize and incorporate countless tenant associations, helped hundreds of tenants resolve issues and improve communication with their landlords, and walked hundreds of families through every step of the homebuying process. Jose says he finds the rewards of his work in the happiness of his clients upon becoming homeowners.

Wendy Alvarenga, Senior Bilingual Default/Foreclosure Housing Counselor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wendy is a Senior Housing Counselor in LEDC’s Maryland office. Prior to coming to LEDC, Wendy worked for Wells Fargo assisting homeowners over the age of 62 with reverse mortgages. Wendy has also worked with Housing Counseling Services as an Intake Specialist and assisting counselors with the HPAP applications, as well as with the Greater Washington Urban League as the Document Control Process or Coordinator of the HOPWA program. Wendy enjoys shopping, going to the movies, dance, and spending time with her daughters. Wendy says, “The most exciting thing is when you see the faces of families go from bitter sweet to happiness because you were able to help them.”

Patricia Belbusti, Senior Bilingual Default/Foreclosure Housing Counselor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Originally from Argentina, Patricia joined LEDC this year as a Housing Counselor in the Wheaton, MD office. Patricia formerly worked in real estate and holds a real estate license in both MD and DC. She has also acted and played the guitar as part of LEDC’s teatro callejero, bilingual, musical plays performed in the streets at outdoor festivals, telling the story of a family trying to improve their housing situation.

Farah Fosse, Director of Affordable Housing Preservation This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

As Program Director, Farah coordinates the work of the Affordable Housing Preservation Program to educate residents on their rights as tenants in DC, assist residents in preserving their housing as affordable, and advocate for affordable housing policies in DC. Farah Fossé joined LEDC in October of 2005 in this role. Previous to working at LEDC, Farah worked on local affordable housing policy and tenant organizing with Buyers and Renters Arlington Voice in Arlington, Virginia, where she worked primarily with the Latino community. Farah is a graduate of Smith College in Northampton, MA with a BA in Latin American Studies and Economics. During college she studied in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico and has traveled extensively in Latin America. Farah is originally from Connecticut but her diverse family hails from the Midwestern United States and Puerto Rico. Farah has lived in Northwest DC for the past seven years and is passionate about preventing the displacement of low and moderate-income residents, particularly Latinos, from the area. She is excited about being part of the efforts to preserve the economic and cultural diversity of the city. In addition to her work at LEDC, Farah also teaches self defense classes for women and girls and enjoys working at her community garden plot.

Manny Ruiz, Bilingual Tenant Organizer This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Manny Ruiz brings to LEDC previous work experience in real estate to his position as a tenant organizer. Having worked for many years assisting Latino clients buy and sell homes, Manny learned how to effectively work to better the lives of many families. As a tenant organizer, Manny works with underrepresented communities to maintain and preserve affordable housing; to inform them about their tenancy rights; and assist them in the formation of Tenant Associations. In addition, his experiences as a student leader during college helped him develop organizing and advocacy skills. Manny loves being able to work for the betterment of his community, the kind of work that has driven his college and professional careers and that informs his present work with LEDC. In his spare time, Manny actively participates in his fraternity, La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. to help develop undergraduate members’ professional and academic skills.

Monica Buitrago, Bilingual Tenant Outreach and Organizing Associate This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Monica Buitrago joined LEDC after working with Impact Silver Spring and Americorp, two experiences that taught her about power sharing, commitment, and teamwork. She is very excited about empowering not only Latinos but minorities seeking guidance and help. As a Tenant Outreach and Organizing Associate, Monica builds relationships of mutual respect and trust with people, helping people to advocate for themselves and usher them into roles of leadership in the community. As a renter herself, she is very committed to the work of LEDC's Affordable Housing Preservation program that works with renters in D.C. to keep their homes and live in decent living conditions. In her spare time, Monica loves reality tv, organizing clothing swaps in Silver Spring and Takoma Park, and thrift store shopping at Value Village.