STAFF AND INSTRUCTORS
STAFF
Verónica Escámez Mártinez
Founder/Executive Director
Veronica Escámez is originally from Mexico City, where she began her career as an educator, youth theater director, and social worker working as a teacher and then school principal. She is the founder of Casa Círculo Cultural, an organization that works with immigrant families, offering a wide range of free classes and cultural activities. Under her direction, more than 100 volunteers from the organization create all the necessary elements for their participation in the annual San Francisco Day of the Dead Community Concert, thus giving the low-income community the opportunity to be part of the elevated experience, magic, and solemnity of the celebration of life that is the tradition of Día de los Muertos. Ms. Escámez and her family are the recipients of the 2017 La Familia Award, given by The Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley to families performing extraordinary community activities through volunteerism in community engagement. In 2022 she received the Ohtli Award given by the Mexican government through the Institute for Mexicans Abroad and the Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco.


Anna Lee Mraz
Strategic Initiatives Coordinator

Andie Hernandez
Social Media Specialist

Fernando Escartiz
Creative Consultant

Roxana Escamilla
Program Assistant

Sofi Ortiz
Program Assistant

Wendy Segovia
ELOP Manager

Ana Gamino
ELOP Instructor

Stefany Tapia
ELOP Instructor

Kimberly Luna
ELOP Instructor
INSTRUCTORS

Andres Garcia
Guitar

Arturo Samayoa
Salcersize

Cassandra Espinoza
Folklor

Daniel Saldivar
Boxing

Eduardo Torres
Floklor

Gerardo Ortiz, Master
Taekwondo

Grettel Gagnon
ELOP & Cooking Class

Jannette Ramirez (Hanny)
Art

Karen Duarte
ELOP

Lorena Segovia
ELOP Kinder

Omar Quezada
Folklor

Roberto Cruz
Art

Sara Trutsky
Drama

Sonia Martinez
Art & Yoga

Victor Vargas
ELOP Special Needs

Vicky Avila
Zumba

Yeshua Villa
Art & Yoga

Dance Develoopeé
Ballet
VOLUNTEERS

Maria Orellana
Teacher

Ma. Estela Calapiz
Writer

Gloria Sanchez
Psychologyst

Isabella Zapien
Studen/Tutor

Breeana Rivera
Student/Tutor

Jade Crespo
Student/Tutor

Karla Peralta
Cook
