Meet the Team

Octavio Cuenca Maldonado
President
Welcome to 2025! 🎉
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I’m Octavio Cuenca Maldonado, a Deaf Mexican and Honduran American and a graduate of Gallaudet University with a BA in Psychology. I work with DeafLEAD, supporting the 988 VideoPhone Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and collaborate with state, federal, and nonprofit organizations to provide resources and support for Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.
Octavio is the current president of the National Hispanic Latino Association of the Deaf, has received awards from its founders, and earned a special legislative award from the New Jersey Association of the Deaf. His contributions to policymaking with the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities from 2022-2023.
Octavio is deeply committed to supporting global communities and embracing diverse cultures and perspectives.

Juan Cornejo
Vice President
Hello everyone!
My name is Juan Cornejo, and I go by he, his, him & JC. I am hard of hearing and use a cochlear implant; technically, I am profoundly deaf. My ethnicity is Chilean-American. I was born and raised in New Jersey until I moved to DC approximately four years ago. Living in the city has given me a wider range of options and opportunities, along with new experiences to explore and socialize.
Of course, I have a variety of hobbies, including jogging, working out, biking around DC, adventures, hiking, discussing Star Wars, and many other activities. I am passionate about giving back to the Latino community by sharing my experiences as a Deaf Latino navigating the hearing world. I aim to empower the Latino community by enhancing their leadership and social skills. I would love to meet new people and get to know them better.

Lily Molina
Secretary
I’m a proud Deaf Chilean who finds strength and connection in the Deaf community. My culture and identity inspire my love of storytelling, especially through literature. Whether it’s diving into a timeless classic or exploring new voices, I cherish how stories can challenge perspectives and bring people together.
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I’m also a band member of Bella Lunas and an ASL music enthusiast, combining my love of music with my passion for accessibility and expression. Creating and performing in a way that connects both Deaf and hearing audiences is one of my greatest joys.
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Beyond music and books, I enjoy art, spending time with loved ones, and celebrating the beauty of everyday moments. My heritage and community guide my journey, and I’m passionate about fostering understanding and building connections across cultures. I believe in the power of words, music, and art to spark change and celebrate diversity.

Magaly Morales
Treasurer
My name is Magaly Morales. I grew up and live in Tampa, Florida, but my family is from Mexico. I attended a mainstream school and graduated from the University of Tampa with a master’s in accounting in 2022. I have worked in the tax field for over 8 years and have experience working with DeafTax for individual returns, a big corporate tax firm for business returns, and as a volunteer tax preparer for a deaf community in the Greater Tampa Bay Area. On the other hand, I’m working with my parents in the construction industry. I like kayaking, playing board games, and watching anime shows.

Luisa Chastel Messner
Member At Large 1
Hello Everyone,
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Hi, my name is Luisa Chastel Messner. I was born in Colombia and moved to the United States at age seven after being adopted by a wonderful family. I now live in New Jersey and am proud to identify as Deaf. My passion for working with young children has led me to a career in fieldwork with children aged 0-5, where I focus on supporting their early development and creating positive, inclusive environments for learning.
I’m honored to join NHLAD and contribute to its mission of empowering the Deaf Hispanic and Latino community. Through my role in promoting NHLAD’s initiatives on social media, I look forward to raising awareness, fostering connections, and celebrating our shared culture and achievements.

Lissette Molina Wood
Member At Large 2
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Eugenio Ravelo
Member at Large 3
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Jackie Correa-Alley
Bylaws Advisor
Welcome to 2025! 🎉
Jackie Correa-Alley, a proud Latina born in Puerto Rico and raised in Massachusetts, is a vibrant advocate in the Deaf community. Profoundly Deaf, she graduated from the New York School for the Deaf and later earned a business degree at St. Paul College in Minnesota.
Jackie is a dedicated mother to two CODA sons and works as a Deaf Mentor, teaching ASL to parents of Deaf children, and as a paraprofessional at Metro Deaf School. She is also the Bylaws Advisor for the National Hispanic Latino Association of the Deaf (NHLAD).
In her free time, Jackie enjoys traveling, crafting, and connecting with the Deaf community in Minnesota.
Here’s to a year of inspiration and growth! 🌟
Committee

Artemis Karenia Salazar
Social Media Committee
Artemis Karenia Salazar is a proud Deaf Latina born in Mexicali, Baja California. After moving to the United States and being raised in Tucson, Arizona, a challenging journey led her to pursue higher education. She graduated from Gallaudet University with a bachelor's degree in Biology and then determined to earn a Master of Education in Teacher Education from the University of Arizona. She is currently a teacher at a Deaf School and teaches K-5 Deaf/HH students. Teaching has always been her passion.
She also is a proud mother of a CODA daughter.
Her hobbies include exercising, and she enjoys going to the gym almost daily. She also loves traveling and exploring new experiences by visiting different attractions, restaurants, and nature.

Don Francis
Tech Lead
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Alexa Young
Product Manager
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