La Luz Center

Yvonne Hall

Executive Director

Yvonne has lived in Sonoma for the last nine years after retiring from a long career at Levi Strauss & Co., headquartered in San Francisco. During her time at Levi's she was lucky enough to spend five years in Mexico City as the President and General Manager of Levi Strauss de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. Her love of the Mexican people and culture brought her to La Luz as a board member, and she was named Executive Director in August, 2010. Yvonne graduated from Santa Clara University. She also serves on the board of Sonoma Valley Museum of Art and is active at the Quarry Hill Botanical Garden.

Brenda Serrano

Office Manager, Adminstrative Assistant and Events Coordinator

Brenda Serrano was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco and came to this country when she was 2 years old. She has lived in the town of Sonoma for 9 years, but graduated from Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa in 1992 and has lived in the Sonoma County area for most of her life. She enjoys helping others and being organized.

Kara Reyes

Director of Family Services

Born and raised in Sonoma, Kara is a graduate of Sonoma Valley High School and Sonoma State University, where she received a B.A. in Spanish and International Studies. She first learned Spanish while living in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and later studied at the University of Seville in Seville, Spain. In addition to her duties at La Luz, Kara is a busy mother of two young boys and a member of the Redevelopment Advisory Committee for the Springs Area.

Daniel Pignataro

Computer Learning Center Coordinator

Daniel is the staff member in charge of the Computer Literacy Program. He has a degree in Graphic Design and extensive experience in information technology. Daniel has been involved in education since 2002 and his teaching experience includes teaching computer literacy and intervention classes in reading, writing, and math for elementary students (K-5) at Flowery School, and running a computer class for adults at La Luz Center since 2003.

Maricarmen Reyes Larios

Coordinator of Educational Programs, Family Advocate

Daughter of Mexican immigrant parents, Maricarmen was born in Sonoma Valley in 1981. In 2000 she graduated from Sonoma Valley High School and was fortunate to receive a La Luz Center Scholarship. In 2005 after having worked five wonderful years for Migrant Education California MIni-Corps she graduate with Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chicano and Latino Studies from Sonoma State University

Michele Alba

Community Outreach & Vineyard Worker Services Coordinator

Michele is a resident of Glen Ellen, born of Spanish immigrant parents who had originally emigrated to the Mid-West. She came to the Bay Area in 1995 to work as an interpreter and fell in love with California, particularly the Sonoma Valley where she has made her home for over 10 years. Michele holds a B.A. degree in English Literature from the University of La Verne, CA, as well as a D.E.L.E. Superior in Spanish Language from Universidad de Salamanca. She brings a strong background in community service and education to her position at La Luz.

Maritza Barajas

Receptionist, Client Resource Assistant

Maritza was born in Tepatitlán, Morelos, Jalisco, on March 7, 1988 and was brought to Sonoma when she was 9 months old. Maritza attended all local schools and graduated from Sonoma Valley High School in 2006. After graduating high school and attending Santa Rosa Junior College, she decided to volunteer at La Luz Center, where she was hired 7 months later.

Lissete Echeverria

Childcare Provider

Lissete was raised in Sonoma and thoroughly enjoys working with children. Lissete has dedicated much of her free time to children, volunteering at St Leo’s Catholic Church as a Sunday school director and at Prestwood Elementary School as a teacher’s assistant. She recently graduated from Empire College with a concentration in Sales and Marketing.