Board of Directors
Javier Saldaña, Jr.
Nebraska Department of Economic Development
President
Javier Saldaña, Jr is the current President. He has served on MYLPA’s Board of Directors since 2018. He currently serves as the Economic Recovery Division Administrator at the Nebraska Department of Economic Development where he and his team are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in the state’s most impoverished communities. Javier also served 13 years with the Nebraska Army National Guard serving tours of duty in Afghanistan and the Middle East. He holds a Bachelor's in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is working towards a graduate degree at Villanova University. His background is in local and state government, project management, higher education, Veteran advocacy, and nonprofit work.
Jan Benitez
Susan T. Buffett Foundation
Vice President
Jan Benitez is the current Vice President. He has served on MYLPA’s Board of Directors since 2021. He is a Program Officer with the College Access and Success team with STBF. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from University of Nebraska-Omaha. His background is in social services, education, and workforce development. .
Iris Servellon
Streck
Treasurer
Iris Servellon is the current Treasurer. She has served on MYLPA’s Board of Directors since 2018. She is currently working as a Manufacturing Specialist for Streck. She holds an M.S. in Project Management from Bellevue University. Her background is in project management and biotechnology.
Ron Rivera
NDP
Secretary
Ronald Rivera is the current Secretary. He has served on MYLPA’s Board of Directors since 2018. He is currently working as a Political Director for the Nebraska Democratic Party. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also obtained his Master’s in Urban Studies at the University of Nebraska Omaha. His background is in political organizing and nonprofit work.
Viridiana Almanza
Latino Center of the Midlands
Scholarship Chair
Viridiana Almanza is the current Scholarship Chair. She has served on MYLPA’s Board of Directors since 2019. She is the Family and Community Well-Being Director at the Latino Center of the Midlands. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Her background is in education and nonprofit work.
Carolina Ibarra Nielsen
Learning Communities of Douglas and Sarpy Counties
Communications Chair
Carolina Ibarra Nielsen is the current Communications Chair. She has served on MYLPA’s Board of Directors since 2021. She is currently the Program Manager of the Learning Community Center of South Omaha. She holds a B.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is working towards a graduate degree. Her background is in social services and nonprofit work.
Claudia Granillo
The Wellbeing Partners
Service/ Professional Development Chair
Vanessa Martinez-Hernandez
Mutual of Omaha
Membership/Social Chair
Miguel Estevez
Estevez Archie Therapy LLC
At-Large Board Member