Ilana Dubester
Executive Director & Founder

Ilana was born and raised in southern Brazil and has lived in Chatham County since 1991. She founded The Hispanic Liaison in 1995 to help address the unique needs of the growing Hispanic community. Ilana has over 20 years of experience in non-profit management, program development and implementation, capacity building, fundraising, public policy, community organizing and advocacy. She left The Liaison in 2008 and returned in 2016 to revive the organization, which had closed its doors in September 2015. Her former organizations include Hispanics in Philanthropy, miraclefeet, the NC Cooperative Extension Service, El Centro Latino, and The Center for What Works. Since 1995, she has been devoted to advancing the rights of Hispanic/Latinx families at the local and state levels. Ilana is a state certified Spanish/English court interpreter and is fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Hebrew. She attended Hebrew University in Jerusalem and has an Associate Degree in Social Studies.

Hannia Benitez
Deputy Director, Lee County Office

Hannia is originally from Tecun Uman, Guatemala, and moved to Siler City with her family in 1998. Hannia graduated from Jordan Matthews High School, and in 2014 earned a certificate as a Certified Nursing Assistant from CCCC. Hannia spent most of her life in Siler City but also lived in Sanford for several years after she got married. Hannia joined The Liaison’s board of directors in 2016 and served as Board President for the past 3 years. After years of helping the community through volunteer service, Hannia is thrilled to lead the new Hispanic Liaison office in Sanford and advance the rights of Latinxs at the local and state levels. Previously, she worked as a bilingual case investigator for Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative, as a general manager for MJ’s Staffing Inc., and as a site manager for Community Management Corporation. Hannia brings a wealth of knowledge and experience including business management, human resources, housing management and healthcare. Hannia is fluent in English and Spanish. She lives in Siler City with her husband and three children.

Selina Lopez
Program Director, Orgullo Latinx Pride Youth Program

Selina is originally from Mexico, born in Xaltianguis, Guerrero. She immigrated to the United States with her parents when she was a child. In 2016, she became a U.S. citizen. She grew up and attended school in the small town of Vaughan, in Warren County, NC. Selina completed her high school at the School of Science and Mathematics in Durham. In 2017, she graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with degrees in psychology and Hispanic Literature and Cultures. Selina is the first person in her family to attend and graduate from a university. During her undergraduate studies at UNC, Selina was a co-director for NC SLI for the Families United for Education Initiative, where she taught classes for parents, in Spanish, about the college enrollment process. She was also the co-director for SOAR (STEAM, Outreach, Achievement, Recreation), a program for Latinx youth at McDougle Middle School in Carrboro. Selina has dedicated her time helping the Latinx community and advancing the opportunities for Latinx families and youth to pursue a higher education.

Janet Ramirez
Program & Volunteer Associate, Chatham County

Janet is a native of Michoacán, Mexico, and moved to Siler City with her family in 2000. Janet graduated from Jordan Matthews High School in 2013. She is the first generation in her family to attend college receiving a certificate in Electronic Engineering Technology from CCCC. Janet decided to change her career after meeting Ilana Dubester in April 2016 while she was working as an intern at Chatham Habitat for Humanity under the WIA program. The Hispanic Liaison had helped her mother and family in the past, and Janet wanted to give back to her community. As a child, Janet was an avid listener of The Liaison’s weekly youth radio show “Teen Shout”. Janet joined our staff in May 2016. She is a fluent in English and Spanish.

Noemi Mora Marcial
Program Coordinator, Chatham County

Carmen Monter Pacheco
Program Coordinator, Orgullo Latinx Pride Youth Program

Carmen is originally from Veracruz, Mexico and migrated with her family to the US as a child. She grew up in Siler City and graduated from Jordan-Matthews High School in 2018. In 2022, she earned a BA in Business Administration with Marketing Concentration and a Minor in Management from Christian Brothers University. During college, she interned as a Marketing Services Intern at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and Development Intern with Make-A-Wish Foundation Mid-South. She hopes to help the youth reach their full potential by pursuing a higher education and making a positive impact in the community.

Elena C. Gonzalez
Program Coordinator, Workers’ Health & Safety

Elena Gonzalez is originally from Chiapas, on the border of Mexico and Guatemala. Elena grew up in Mexico and lived for many years in Guatemala. She moved to Siler City in 1999. Soon after arriving, she found The Hispanic Liaison and an opportunity to get involved in the community. Ever since, Elena has been a part of El Vínculo, first as a client, then as a volunteer, and served as a Board Member for 10 years. Elena has also volunteered with Mujeres Mejorando el Futuro, Chatham Together and El Pueblo. In 2009, she received the United Way’s Volunteer of the Year award. Previously, Elena worked as an Assistant Nutritionist at Siler City Elementary and as the Breast Cancer Prevention Coordinator for El Pueblo. She graduated from CCCC’s Natural Chef Program, and has been a trained chef since she lived in Mexico. Elena is honored to support our community and fight for the rights of workers. She lives in Siler City with her husband Juan Carlos Gonzalez.

Aylin Moreno Sotelo

Advocacy Program Coordinator

Aylin is originally from Morelos, Mexico and moved to Siler City with her family in 2003. After graduating from Jordan Matthews High School, she earned a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Banking from Delaware State University. She is the first person in her family to graduate from college. During college, she volunteered with Justice for Our Neighbors Delaware Valley, which inspired her to pursue a career in advocacy. In the past, her family received assistance from the Hispanic Liaison, and after graduating, she returned to Siler City to give back to her community.

Delfino Benitez
Covid-19 Project Manager

Delfino Benitez is originally from Sanford and of Mexican descent. He moved to Siler City in 2015. In 2011, Delfino joined the US Army as a Combat Medic (Healthcare Specialist) and has since worked in the health care field, on the clinical and administrative side. He completed studies in Emergency Management, Biopharmaceutical Technology, and is working towards a B.A. in African American Studies and Diaspora with a minor in Human Development, Sustainability, and Rights in Africa. His previous roles include Senior Administrative Assistant, EMT, and Medical Assistant. He serves as a volunteer with the American Red Cross, Second Bloom of Chatham County, and Team Rubicon Disaster Relief. His goals are to help the community receive the medical attention they need and advocate for increased access to mental health services for rural and underserved populations. Delfino lives in Siler City with his wife and 3 children.

Will Mendoza 
COVID-19 Project Consultant

Keyla Ferretiz
Digital Marketing Associate

Keyla Ferretiz was born North Carolina of Mexican parents. She earned a B.A. in Media and Journalism from the UNC Chapel Hill in 2019. Keyla is a graphic designer and marketing professional based in Greensboro. She specializes in social media marketing strategies and design for small businesses and
entrepreneurs. She has worked with clients from a variety of fields including nonprofits, attorneys and podcasts. In her free time, Keyla enjoys painting and spending time with her dog.