Learn About the Presenters!
Molly Brinkley
Educational Service District 123
Regional Educational Technology Coordinator
Molly Brinkley provides instructional technology and professional development services to school districts. With 18 years in education, she has experience working will all levels of educators to enhance classroom instruction through technology integration, educational leadership, data analysis, and effective classroom practices.
Adilenne Espindola
Educational Service District 123
Migrant Community and Family Engagement Coordinator
Adilenne is the epitome of someone who will advocate for resources, create partnerships, and fight to improve educational access for underrepresented students. As the current Migrant Community and Family Engagement Coordinator at ESD 123, she continues to fulfill her promise of supporting students and families with educational disparities. The passion that Adilenne carriers throughout her journey has inspired many to get involved in equal rights for all in higher education.
Lucy Fernandez
Educational Service District 123
School Nurse
Lucy Fernadez was born in La Barca, Mexico. Lucy is a first- generation graduate and earned her nursing degree Walla Walla Community College in 2016 and has working with ESD123 since April of 2023. Lucy has 6 kids and enjoys reading during her free time. Her oldest son is currently seeking his engineering degree at WSU Pullman.
Miladys Garcia
Financial Education Public-Private Partnership (FEPPP)
Special Population Program Supervisor
Miladys graduated from New York University with a double major in Early Childhood Special Education/Early Childhood Education and Spanish Literature with a concentration in Latin American Studies. In her role with FEPPP, she supports financial education for foster, un-homed, incarcerated youth, as well as alternative learners, dual language, migrant/multilingual, Native, and special education students. These are our underserved students who often face barriers to achieving academic and financial success. She is passionate about supporting financial education in underserved communities, as she knows how needed and impactful financial education is for financially vulnerable individuals. Prior to working with FEPPP, she held the position of English-to-Spanish translator/interpreter for different social service agencies. she also worked as an early intervention specialist.
She was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. She moved from New York City to Washington State on October 2022 to fill her current role with FEPPP. She is loving her Washington experience and feels fortunate to work for an agency (FEPPP) that prioritizes traditionally forgotten students and communities.
Esmeralda Whitbread, RN
Educational Service District 123
Early Learning Migrant Nurse Case Manager
Esmeralda Whitbread Lopez was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. Esmeralda is a first- generation graduate and earned her nursing degree through Walla Walla Community College in 2021 and has been working with ESD123 since February of 2024. Esmeralda has 2 dogs, 2 cats and enjoys spending time with her family.
Yaslin Torres-Peña
Washington Student Achievement Council
Program Associate for the 12th Year Campaign
Yaslin Torres-Peña has a deep commitment to helping families and students navigate their postsecondary options. As a Program Associate for the 12th Year Campaign at the Washington Student Achievement Council, her role involves supporting initiatives that help students transition successfully from high school to higher education, providing them with the necessary resources and guidance. Her educational background from Washington State University, combined with her dedication to serving students and families, positions her as an advocate for increasing access to education and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their future paths.
Josh Guajardo
Josh Guajardo was born and raised in Tri-Cities, Washington. Josh is a first-generation college graduate from Washington State University where he earned an undergraduate degree through the Edward Murrow College of Communications. Josh has 4 kids and enjoys watching youth and professional sports and plays golf in his spare time.
Denys Lopez
DH
Multicultural Specialist
Denys is a Multicultural Specialist at DH and holds a degree in Public Health from Eastern Washington University. Along with her professional and educational background, Denys' lived experience of migrant health systems makes her a strong advocate for care access and community safety. At DH, Denys leads community outreach across Washington, regularly developing Spanish-language campaign materials for clients like the Washington State Health Care Authority and Department of Health.
Corie Bales
DH
Director of Content Development
Corie is the Director of Content Development with DH, a social impact communications agency in Washington. She has a master's degree in teaching and professional experience as an educator, administrator, writer, and editor. In her role at DH, Corie develops content across sectors and audiences, researching and writing on topics like equity, public health, and voter access. As the creative content lead for the Friends for Life campaign, Corie conducted research on how best to communicate about illicit fentanyl and prevention and led the DH team in designing the messaging that brought this campaign to life.
Kandy Bowlsby
HAPO Credit Union
Director of Community Engagement
Kandy Bowlsby is the Director of Community Engagement at HAPO Community Credit Union, bringing over 15 years of experience in consumer lending and credit building. She has contributed to developing impactful programs designed to meet the unique needs of local communities. Passionate about serving others, Kandy prioritizes building strong relationships and fostering collaborations that drive meaningful change. Her dedication to connecting with individuals and organizations has made her a trusted partner in initiatives that strengthen and uplift the community.
Eva Tzib
Educational Service District 123
Migrant Math and Science Coordinator
Eva grew up in Prosser and was the 4th grade bilingual teacher for Prosser. During her time in the classroom, she focused on providing students with strategies to meet their needs. She strongly believes students should do more of the talking in classrooms and should have space to try without the fear of being wrong. Her goal is to provide support parents can use at home with their children to build students' confidence and knowledge.
Kristal Solorzano
Educational Service District 123
Migrant Student Assistance Professional
Kristal is a first-generation student, raised by a single mother, with Honduran and Mexican heritage. Currently, she works for Education Service District 123, serving the Kiona-Benton City and Finley School Districts as the Migrant Student Assistance Professional. In her role, she supports students by addressing mental health and substance use issues, providing them with valuable resources, and teaching essential coping skills to help them navigate challenges and thrive academically and personally.
Laura Rizo
Future Dr. Laura Rizo is a passionate educator whose research and career have emphasized her deep commitment to fostering social-emotional well-being in schools. With 20 total years of experience as a classroom teacher and school counselor in the Texas public school system, her educational philosophy centers on the powerful intersection of emotional growth and intellectual growth. Future Dr. Rizo earned her doctorate in education from National University, specializing in social-emotional learning, and leverages her academic expertise to help schools create impactful learning spaces for both students and educators.
Throughout her career, Future Dr. Rizo has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to education, including receiving three consecutive Texas Sponsor of the Year awards for Texas Teens in the Driver Seat, Bilingual Teacher of the Year, and serving as an AVID Coordinator for a National Demonstration School. She has been a youth mentor for over 20 years for various organizations, including but not limited to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Extreme Youth Leadership, Project MALES, Teens in the Driver Seat, and TX Say What Organization. Future Dr. Rizo has delivered workshops and keynotes at various events, including Drug and Alcohol Awareness Rallies, STAAR Pep Rallies, Mother-Daughter Programs, Teacher Professional Development, and Mental Health Awareness Conferences. Her mission is to inspire and equip educators to cultivate spaces where emotional resilience and academic success can thrive.
Celeste Estrada
Celeste is a proud and unapologetic DACA recipient, born in Jalisco, Mexico. At just three years old, she migrated to the United States, growing up in Palm Desert, California, before moving to Washington State in the 5th grade, where she has lived ever since.
In 2015, she graduated from Kennewick High School, and in 2019, earned a degree in Human Development and Psychology from Washington State University. Today, she is a passionate educator, mentor, storyteller, advocate, and artist dedicated to empowering others through the transformative power of cultural resistance.