OUR TEAM
Click photos below to read full biographies
Honorary Chairwomen
Our Co-Honorary Chairwomen are brilliant Dominican educators dedicated to supporting the organization and whose public achievements are an inspiration to the Mariposa community.
Julia Alvarez, M.A., Honorary Chairwoman
World Renowned Author, National Medal of Arts Recipient
Dr. Shirley M. Collado, Honorary Chairwoman
President + CEO of College Track, President Emerita of Ithaca College
Board of Directors
Our Board is dedicated to supporting Mariposa’s mission and vision and helps monitor and maintain the fiduciary health of the organization.
Tesha McCord Poe, J.D., M.B.A, Board President
Founder of Joy-Raising
Jay Dunn with daughter and fellow Mariposa supporter, Tori
Raymond Jay Dunn, M.A., Board Treasurer
Dunn Family Charitable Foundation
Teri Epting with her husband, Drew
Teri Epting, M.L.S., Board Secretary
Retired Educator
Lee Ann Evans, M.A.
Senior Vice President, Capital Markets
Wanda Castillo Shoer, M.B.A.
Chief Learning Officer, Sanofi
Patricia Thorndike Suriel
Founder & Executive Director, Mariposa DR Foundation
Advisory Board
We are lucky to have so many great advisors who offer their expertise and who cheer us on. Our Advisory Board is a special group that dedicates their time to offering us advice and support.
Deborah Harmon Bouknight
Educator
Kevin Clunis, J.D.
Senior Vice President, Legal at Ross Stores, Inc.
Radmilla Cody
Miss Navajo Nation ’97-‘98, Grammy-Nominated Artist
Dr. Eva Cruz
Nonprofit founder; Consultant
Jenna Dailey, M.B.A.
Software Engineering Manager, Liberty Mutual Insurance
Todd Dailey, M.B.A.
President & Chief Operating Officer, Insurance Management Group
Dr. Bill Eichner
Founder, Alta Gracia
Holly Gordon
Campaign Founder and Executive Producer, Girl Rising
Judy Greenberg, M.Ed, M.A.
Licensed Psychologist
Sara Lulo, J.D., LL.M., M.A.
Executive Director, International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP)
Nell Newman
Environmentalist, Founder of Newman's Own Organics, and President of the Nell Newman Foundation
Yaneris Rosa, J.D.
Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
Jadihel Taveras, M.A.
Head of School, Esperanza Academy
Dr. Elizabeth Thorndike
Environmentalist
Mariposa Staff
Our staff are made up of dedicated educators and professionals with decades of experience and our very own “Mariposa Volandos” i.e. graduates.
Patricia Thorndike Suriel
Founder & Executive Director
Jessica Lawson
Co-Founder & Consultant
Dr. Sara Bruins
Education Specialist Consultant
Yajaira Martinez
Office Manager
Angela Mejia Diaz
Bookkeeper and Accounting Assistant
Lourdes (Morena) Anderson
Office Assistant
Antarah Chopra
Executive & Programs Assistant
Tatianna Suriel
Organizational Development Specialist
Rocio Nuñez Shea
Director of Graduate Studies
Tete Ovalle
Academic Director of Elementary & Middle School Programs
Fernanda Garcia
Programs Coordinator
Altagracia De La Rosa
Community Social Worker
Erin Backhaus
Elementary and Middle School Teacher
Edisleba Garcia ‘15
Elementary and Middle School Teacher
Fabiola Veraz Joazar ‘22
Swimming Instructor
Andrea Suriel ‘22
Programs Assistant
Yenidel Vargas ‘22
Programs Assistant
Rosa Emilia Reyes ‘21
Programs Assistant
Yany (Gladys) Almonte
Kitchen Manager, Mariposa Center
Grecia Mendez
Kitchen Personnel, Mariposa Center
Josefina Bueno
Kitchen Personnel, Mariposa Center
Alvaro Jimenez
Director of Transportation
Miguel Soriano
Buildings & Grounds Maintenance
Eva Torres
Grounds Maintenance
Tanya Badia
Consultant (Mountain School)
Melisa Mora
Teacher (Mountain School)
Cabarete Coffee Company Staff
The smiling faces behind your espressos, smoothies, fresh juices, sandwiches, salads, and more!
Karina Mendez
Manager & Barista
Fermin Vargas
Juice/Smoothie Barista & Server
Fifi Richard
Head Cook
Fatima Alvarez
Barista & Server
Yamaly Pascual
Cook
Erika Ventura ‘20
Assistant Manager, Barista & Server
Yanibel Humer ‘18
Kitchen Steward
Maria Angelica Bonilla ‘22
Kitchen Steward
Freddy Suriel
Tour Guide & Head of Food Procurement