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

Alexandra

Student/Tutor