2023 Event Program
Welcome
Dr. Andrea Wilson, MJC Vice President of Student Services
Dr. Sarah Schrader, MJC Vice President of College and Administrative Services
Ms. Katelyn Gross, ASMJC Student Body President
Luncheon Panelist
Erica Ayala
Founder and Executive Director, Invest In Me
Erica Ayala exemplifies true commitment to creating opportunities for the next generation
of community leaders. She holds a double bachelor's in Communication and Gender Studies
from California State University, Stanislaus, and a Master of Arts in Leadership from
Saint Mary's College of California where she penned her thesis, “Invest and Empower
Young Women of Today." She is the Founder and Executive Director of Invest In Me,
named non-profit of the year from Love Stanislaus County in 2021.
Erica’s passions are developing leadership and access to youth, health equity issues
and elevating the people of California’s Central Valley. Erica’s service to her community
includes serving as Chair for Love Patterson and on the Downtown Revitalization Committee
for the City of Patterson where she resides with her husband and two children, Amaya
and Ezekiel. She serves as an Advisor for the Stanislaus Latino Chamber of Commerce
and Debrief. Along, with working for Blue Shield of California as the Community Engagement
Manager.
Erica’s dedication to her community has been acknowledged by various awards including
Modesto Junior College’s Community Women’s Empowerment Award, Stanislaus County Commission
for Women’s Outstanding Women of Stanislaus County, Modesto Bee’s 20 Under 40 leaders,
and Citizen of the Year in 2022 by Love Stanislaus County.
Monica Escamilla
Stanislaus Equity Partners
Monica Vergara Escamilla is Stanislaus Equity Partners’ Micro-Enterprise and Community
Outreach Manager. Monica was born in Venezuela to immigrants from Colombia and Venezuela.
She was raised in Modesto, California, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business
Management and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
She is the Vice-President of the Central Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In 2020,
Monica was recognized as Outstanding Woman by the Stanislaus County Commission for
Women and MJC’s Positive Speaker. Dog mom to 15 year old Dolce and 11 month old Simba.
Jennifer Hidalgo
Field Representative, Anna Caballero
Jennifer Hidalgo is a community leader who has made a career out of listening and
collaboration. She is currently a district representative for State Senator Anna Caballero.
Jennifer is a first-generation Mexican American. She entered the non-profit sector
while attending college and has been working with our community ever since. In her
professional career, Jennifer has had the privilege of learning about families and
individuals who are normally left out of the conversation. Her resume is “eclectic,”
but it has a theme throughout: community and collaboration.
She’s the Vice-Chair for Central Valley Opportunity Center, board member for Stanislaus
Equity Partners, part of the Love Stanislaus County community advisory committee,
a mentor through Sierra Vista and a Zumba instructor.
Jennifer has a Bachelor of Arts from University of the Pacific and a Master of Business
Administration from the University of Phoenix. She enjoys drawing, reading, dancing
and spending time with her husband and her two children.
Alana Scott
Founder WELL
With over 18 years of experience as a leader in the financial industry, Alana continually
seeks to promote opportunities that improve the financial wellbeing of her clients
and the community she serves. As Co-Founder of the Lattig Scott Wealth Management
Group at Raymond James, Alana helps her clients develop a compelling financial future
for themselves, their family and the legacy they wish create.
Alana believes in giving back to her community and beyond. As part of Alana's contribution,
she develops and teaches financial literacy programs, seminars and workshops, while
providing comprehensive financial education through her charitable and nonprofit contributions.
A sought-after public speaker, Alana shares her experiences and inspiration with audiences
across California, talking about the importance of improving the quality of financial
literacy for women. She is an active proponent of developing financial solutions for
women and girls in communities across the United States to create financial confidence
and independence.
Alana is the President and Co-Founder of the award winning nonprofit, the Women's
Education and Leadership League. Alana serves on the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts
of America and Modesto Rotary Club (MoRo).
Alana was the 2016 recipient of the National Sue Haskoor Lifetime Achievement Award
for her work with women, she was one of the 2017 Modesto Bee 20 Under 40 winners,
Alana was one of the 2018 winners of the Stanislaus County Women of the Year Award,
and Alana was awarding the Invest In Others Catalyst Award in 2022. The Women's Education
and Leadership League was the 2016 recipient of the La RAZA Award presented by El
Concilio.
Alana believes financial education and mentoring is the key to elevated success in
all communities.
Women's Empowerment Award Recipients
Community Empowerment Award
The Women’s Empowerment Community Award is given to an individual or organization
that promotes female empowerment in the community.
- 2019-2020 Joanna Esparza-President, She Became
- 2020-2021 Erica Ayala- Invest in Me Leadership Program
- 2021-2022 Maria Cortez - Able Works
- 2022-2023 Fallon Ferris - Diversity & Inclusivity Specialist, Modesto City Schools
Male Contributor Empowerment Award
The Women’s Empowerment Male Contributor Award is given to a male employee who promotes
female empowerment on campus and in the community.
- 2019-2020 Hector Duarte - Assistant Director, EOP&S
- 2020-2021 Aaron Sanchez - Counselor
- 2021-2022 Jorge Camarena - Director, TRiO/Pre-College Programs
- 2022-2023 Jonathan Arias - Program Specialist, Basic Needs
Coni Chavez Women’s Empowerment MJC Employee Award
The Women’s Empowerment MJC Employee Award is given to a female employee that promotes
female empowerment on campus and in the community.
- 2019-2020 Flerida Arias - Vice President of Student Services
- 2020-2021 Melanie Berru - Sociology Professor
- 2021-2022 Dr. Jacqueline Forte - Associate Dean of Special Programs
- 2022-2023 Tina Akers-Porter - Mathematics Professor
Women's Empowerment Student Award
The Women’s Empowerment MJC Student Award is given to a female student that promotes
female empowerment on campus and in the community.
- 2019-2020 Ja’Nai Gomes
- 2020-2021 Jennifer Novoa
- 2021-2022 Esmeralda Cabadas
The event is hosted by Campus Life & Student Learning.
For additional information contact Director of Campus Life & Student Learning Alejandra
Espinoza espinozaa@mjc.edu
