Speaker's Bureau

Alberto Flores

LLEAD State Board of Directors, LLEAD Founding Member

Al Flores is a veteran civil rights and public policy leader who has spent decades advancing Latino advocacy, immigrant inclusion, and community engagement in Michigan. A former Acting Director of Public Affairs for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and current leader of Latino Leaders for the Enhancement of Advocacy & Development (LLEAD), he brings deep expertise in government relations, civil rights, leadership development, and Latino community issues, making him a valuable speaker for audiences interested in advocacy, public policy, and civic engagement.

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Juan Marinez

Assistant Director, MSU Cooperative Extension, Emeritus

LLEAD Michigan Board member

Juan Marinez is a longtime community development and agricultural leader whose career has focused on improving opportunities for Latino and migrant farmworker communities. A former Michigan State University Extension director and national farmworker coordinator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, he helped secure historic federal disaster assistance for farmworkers, established Michigan’s first Hispanic farmers’ cooperative, and contributed research that influenced national agricultural data collection. His expertise spans agriculture, workforce development, Latino history, and public policy.

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Guillermo Z. López

Chair, Lansing LLEAD
LLEAD State Board of Directors

Guillermo Z. Lopez is a respected education and civil rights leader with decades of experience advancing equity, public education, and Latino representation in Michigan. A longtime member of the Lansing School Board and former president of the National Hispanic Council of School Board Members, he has also served in leadership roles focused on equal opportunity, community development, and migrant services. As a leader of LLEAD, he is a trusted voice on educational equity, civic engagement, and Latino leadership.

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Elva Castilla Reyes

Assistant Director, MSU Cooperative Extension, Emeritus

LLEAD Michigan Board member

Elva Castilla Reyes is a labor and community advocate with more than 30 years of experience in union leadership, immigrant rights, and Latino civic engagement. A retired MESSA professional and former union president, she has been a driving force behind civil rights initiatives, immigrant advocacy, and Lansing’s efforts to honor Cesar E. Chavez. As a founding member of LLEAD, she continues to champion equity and community empowerment.

 

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Diana Rivera

Committee Chair
LLEAD State Board of Directors 

Diana Rivera is a nationally recognized librarian, scholar, and cultural leader dedicated to preserving and advancing Chicanx and Latinx history, culture, and scholarship. As the founder of Michigan State University’s Cesar E. Chavez Collection, she has spent decades expanding access to Latino archives and fostering research, education, and community engagement. Her leadership in library science, museum studies, and Latino cultural organizations makes her a sought-after speaker on Latino history, cultural preservation, and representation.

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Daniel R. Soza III

LLEAD Saginaw Vice Chair

LLEAD State Board Member

Daniel R. Soza III is a nonprofit and community leader with a long history of advancing Latino leadership, youth development, and civic engagement in Michigan. As Director of The Neighborhood House and a longtime leader with the Boy Scouts of America, he has dedicated his career to strengthening communities. A lifelong advocate for Chicano/Latino education, he helped lead the student movement that established Michigan State University’s Chicano/Latino Studies program and continues to serve on the LLEAD State Board.

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Rudolfo Reyes

LLEAD State Board of Directors

Rudolfo “Rudy” Reyes is a longtime labor, civil rights, and community leader who has spent decades advocating for workers, immigrants, and Latino communities. A retired General Motors employee and union leader, he has served in leadership roles with the American Red Cross, LLEAD, and numerous community organizations. Reyes is widely recognized for his work preserving Latino history and leading the successful effort to establish Cesar E. Chavez Avenue in Lansing.

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Daniel R. Soza III

LLEAD Saginaw Vice Chair

LLEAD State Board Member

Juan Marinez is a longtime community development and agricultural leader whose career has focused on improving opportunities for Latino and migrant farmworker communities. A former Michigan State University Extension director and national farmworker coordinator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, he helped secure historic federal disaster assistance for farmworkers, established Michigan’s first Hispanic farmers’ cooperative, and contributed research that influenced national agricultural data collection. His expertise spans agriculture, workforce development, Latino history, and public policy.

CONTACT