Leadership Team

Maria C. Ferrer
Director

Maria joined Las Comadres Para Las Americas in 2006 and immediately felt at home. She is thankful to have found a group of strong, like-minded Latina women who come together in sisterhood and friendship. Maria is one of the New York City Comadres Facilitators and also the Book Club Coordinator. She enjoys the networking and camaraderie of the monthly Comadrazos, as well as, the lively discussions of the book club meetings. Maria is pleased to volunteer for the national Las Comadres Book Club. For the past two years, she has volunteered at the Las Comadres Writers Conferences, and judged in the Latino Literacy Now’s International Latino Book Awards. Maria lives in New York City, where she works as a meeting planner, and enjoys writing and jewelry making. Contact her here

Tess M. Tobin
Project Manager

Tess Tobin is Project Manager for the Las Comadres & Friends National Latino Book Club. She is also in charge of coordinating submissions. Tess has been a proud member of the book club since 2007 and enjoys promoting the work of Latino authors. As the former President of REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking she continues to advocate for free access to information and equitable library and information services for all members of the community. She enjoys reading, hiking and traveling. Click here to email her.

Dora M. Abreu
Social Media Coordinator

Dora joined Las Comadres Para Las Americas and has been adding value since the beginning. She is an avid technology and education professional with progressive work experience in IT support and as a software engineer / developer but also in career / professional and personal skills. She has helped youth of all ages and the community at large through mentoring, coaching and providing a variety of programs and workshops on internship preparation, leadership / professional development as well technical classes for those within and outside the STEM field. By being part of the John C. Maxwell Team she has been able to build on these skills and a wider audience in Leadership and communication training. She enjoys music, dance, sports, photography and poetry. Dora is one of the New York City Comadres Book Club Facilitators. Dora is pleased to volunteer as the Social Media Coordinator for the national Las Comadres Book Club. For the past few years, she has volunteered at the ALA Conferences, and judged in the Latino Literacy Now’s International Latino Book Awards. She lives in New York, where she works in IT Support. Click here to email her.

Karen Gonzales
Assistant Coordinator

Karen D. Gonzales retired from the Colorado Department of Transportation as a Program Manager/Civil Rights Specialist. She joined Las Comadres Para Las Americas in 2011 and coordinated the Denver Network of Las Comadres Book Club in 2013. She has volunteered as Las Comadres National Submissions Coordinator and judged Latino Literacy Now’s International Latino Book Awards. She is Co-Founder of the Colorado Alliance of Latino Mentors and Authors (CALMA). Karen has had two short stories published and enjoys genealogy research, writing, reading and attending cultural events. Contact her here.