Hispanic Communications Network

Luisa Fernanda Montero

admin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:01:20 +0000

Luisa Fernanda Montero is an award-winning journalist with 20 years of experience in radio, television and print media.

During the last twelve years, Ms. Montero has covered political, immigration, national and local community issues in Washington DC, for the most prestigious media outlets in Latin America and the US. In her native Colombia, she covered topics ranging from social and urban affairs, to politics and the country’s most pressing issues of drug trafficking and guerrilla warfare.

Ms. Montero was a reporter, and later a Washington Correspondent, for Cadena Caracol, Colombia’s leading TV and radio network. She was also a reporter and anchor for Telemundo’s local channel in Washington DC, and news director for the morning broadcast Día a Día, in its radio station Viva 900 (WILC-AM). Later she was a reporter for competitor Univision, and a contributor for several radio newscasts.

In print media, Ms. Montero has been a reporter for the Servicio Hispano of EFE News Wire Services, Washington Correspondent of El Salvador’s major daily La Prensa Gráfica; and her features, columns and reports have appeared in more than 130 newspapers across the continent.

She was recently published in the book Crónicas del secuestro (Ediciones B, Bogotá, 2007), where she presented a journalistic essay on Colombian exile by reason of kidnapping. Ms. Montero received her BA in Journalism and Social Communication from the Universidad Externado de Colombia in 1995.

David Castro

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 02:52:12 +0000

After earning his B.S. in Physical Science from the University of Maryland, David joins the HCN Production Department as a sound engineer to help in the production of HCN’s informational and educational content radio programming. David’s experience in both commercial and public radio, combined with his musical creativity make him a great addition to the Continue Reading

Angelica Duran

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 02:49:45 +0000

Originally from Rockville, Maryland, Angelica is currently a senior at Towson University where she is majoring in Communications. Prior to working at HCN, Angelica spent 7 months in Bogota, Colombia and studied at the University of the Andes. At HCN, Angelica works with the Production Director and Director of Affiliates and Media Relations to research the most relevant, important and interesting information for our audiences as well as updating and verifying affiliate information.

Jose Calderoni

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 02:43:19 +0000

Mr. Calderoni manages projects for HCN in the Latin American region including business development, strategic alliances and programming. Jose lives in Mexico City and was previously responsible for Research and Development for the Latin American Institute for Educational Communications (ILCE), an international organization created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).He initiated several programs to modernize education at all levels, from kindergarten to post doctoral studies, including distance education using digital tools applied to radio, television, satellite, and computers. He was also a member of the board of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).Originally an economist with an MBA from Michigan State University, he worked in international trade corporations and spent eleven years in Europe and Central America as a Diplomat; was a University Professor; and worked with the Mexican Government in the Ministries of Industry and Commerce, Foreign Relations, Labor and Social Prevention, Health, Education and Land Reform. Due to his universal interests and expertise he is respected as a consultant in human development, information technologies, international business and political issues.

José López Zamorano

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:06:46 +0000

Jose Lopez Zamorano is one of the most accomplished and respected Latino journalists in the nation’s capital. As editor of the Mexican news agency Notimex, Jose is directly responsible for the management of 16 journalists and photographers in eight regions of the United States and Canada.
As a reporter, he has specialized in the coverage of politics, bi-lateral relations between the US and Mexico, Immigration, and the continued growth and impact of the US Latino population.

“I honestly believe a good journalist has to be a relevant source for people’s daily lives”, affirmed Jose, summarizing that this motivating factor allows him to enjoy his role as Host for Bienvenidos a America, a platform where he can directly connect to the community.

Zamorano stressed that Immigration remains a topic of priority for US Hispanics. Bienvenidos a America serves as an invaluable tool for the community on this issue. Jose has been a long-time contributor to Mexican radio, he has written special reports about the Latino vote for the “Congressional Quarterly” and has been specially assigned by Notimex to countries such as Peru, Colombia, England, Portugal, Switerzland, Germany, Belgium and France.

He is a graduate of La Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana de Mexico and lives in Maryland with his wife and three children.

Patricia Sainz

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:06:03 +0000

Patricia comes to HCN with 12 years experience in office management, accounting, and human resources. Prior to arriving in D.C., she spent six years working in New York. She oversees the office and works closely with our CEO to make sure day-to-day operations run as smooth as possible.

Originally from Mexico, Patricia has traveled the world and has spent time living in England and France. As an aspiring photographer, she aims to capture the images that make up her life and lives to advocate for recycling and the preservation of nature.

Alison Rodden

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:05:30 +0000

Alison identifies new opportunities to develop social marketing strategies for mission-oriented clients aiming to increase brand equity, message reach, and accessibility of services to Latino communities. She specializes in client engagement, business development, account management, project planning and execution, multimedia campaign design, and strategic alliances and partnerships. Her client portfolio highlights initiatives with government agencies, nonprofit organizations and ad agencies focused on public health (cancer, reproductive health, domestic violence, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, chronic disease, impaired driving), sustainable homeownership, environmental stewardship, energy efficiency, civic participation and underserved youth.

Prior to joining HCN in 2003, Alison worked in Japan for the Ministry of Education and volunteered with NGOs throughout Southeast Asia and Latin America. She holds a BA from James Madison University, where she served as General Manager of WXJM-FM and Co-Founded the Mid-Atlantic College Radio Conference (MACRoCk). Outside of HCN, Alison currently serves as the Music Director of Batalá Washington, an all-women percussion group bringing Afro-Brazilian rhythms and cultures to the US. She enjoys teaching and studying world music, international travels, outdoor adventures, kitchen labs, event planning, and actively participating in the growth of Washington, DC’s creative communities.

Mercy Padilla

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:05:02 +0000

For over twenty years, Mercy Padilla has held prominent positions in the Puerto Rican radio industry as a Disc Jockey, Moderator, Traffic Director, General Manager, Owner and President of a radio station in her native city of Guayama.

Mercy joined the HCN team shortly after arriving in the United States in 2002 and is currently responsible for managing all media relations for HCN clients as well as securing new and maintaining existing National Affiliate Radio Network relationships.

During her career, Mercy has received multiple awards such as Premio INTRE, for her role in the coverage of Hurricane Hugo. She has been recognized as Adoptive Daughter of the Puerto Rico Police Department, and has been honored with the Key to the City of Guayama, which she received as a sign of appreciation for her work. The Puerto Rico Convention Bureau has also named Mercy as their ambassador in the United States.

Mercy lives in Maryland with her husband Jose Angel, her daughter Stephanie Nicolle and her Yorkshire Terrier Lilly.

Alliyah Noor

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:04:24 +0000

Alliyah comes to Hispanic Communications Network with an educated background in the sciences, social justice issues, program development, and higher education sustainability. In 2003, Alliyah received her B.A. in Environmental, Population, and Organismic Biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder, graduating with a 3.7 GPA. During her final year at University of Colorado’s Environmental Center, Alliyah worked to lay the foundation for energy conservation and renewable energy by building a pilot program that proved effective within one year of implementation. In 2007, Alliyah was awarded her Juris Doctorate and Natural Resources Law Certificate from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College. Alliyah then began work as Sustainability Director for Portland Community College, developing and managing green collar curriculum development and physical plant programs for 5 campuses and 27,000 students. Social justice issues, environmental sustainability, outreach, and education continue to permeate her engagements.

Jay Marks

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:03:45 +0000

Jay Marks has been committed to defending the constitutional rights and dignity of immigrants in US courts since 1996. Jay strives to make the promise of American justice a reality for many US immigrants who have had roots in this nation for countless generations. It is with this belief that Jay approaches his role on Bienvenidos a America to answer many difficult questions regarding immigration current events, public policy, and trends in immigration law.

Jay graduated from the Washington College of Law at American University in Washington, D.C. in 1991. He is an active member of the Washington, D.C. chapter of the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA) and has served as a chapter liaison to Immigration Judges in Baltimore, MD.

A native of Fairfield, CT., Jay obtained his B.A. in International Relations and Latin American Studies from American University in 1984, and a Masters in International Relations and Latin American Studies from the University of Chicago in 1988. Jay and his wife, Lupe, and their two children, Benjamin and Gabriel, live in Silver Spring, Maryland.