Isai Pazos has been a community organizer for over two decades and has volunteered for many years with the oaxaqueño community in Los Angeles and with Senderos in Santa Cruz, helping with our Guelaguetza and other events. Isai is Zapotec from the community of Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, Oaxaca. He comes from a family of immigrants and understands the needs of immigrant youth and families. Isai is trilingual, speaking Zapotec, Spanish, and English.
Isai’s most recent position was Director of Community Affairs with CIELO (Comunidades Indígenas en Liderazgo) in Los Angeles. He has served as President of the California nonprofit ORO (Regional Organization of Oaxaca) and has been instrumental in coordinating the nationally respected Guelaguetza events in Los Angeles, as well as supporting other communities in California to organize festivals.
Isai is a graduate of California State University, Los Angeles and has guided many young people towards higher education and cultural enrichment. He founded two businesses, one focused on marketing and the other promoting cultural roots and traditions. In his work with various Indigenous communities he has served in a community liaison role with the Mexican and Guatemalan Consulates. His experience includes establishing citizenship workshops, teaching folkloric dance, and revitalizing ancestral practices like wood carving and weaving. He understands and appreciates the depth and differences of each tradition and culture.
Upon joining Senderos Isai stated, “I am very excited to join Senderos which has been at the forefront of Indigenous cultural arts programming for over 20 years and also supporting educational opportunities for Latino youth and families. It’s beautiful to be surrounded by talented and dedicated people working together towards a common purpose. I am grateful for the opportunity to work closely with co-founders Maestra Fe Silva-Robles and Dra. Nereida Robles Vásquez, the Board of Trustees, cultural arts Instructors, and the community. Together we are strong, and I know our teamwork will make us reach our goals and achieve greatness as an organization.”
Executive Director,
Isai Pazos
Carla Suarez Soto
Carla Suarez Soto is a PhD student in the Education department at UC Santa Cruz and is originally from Santa Rosa, California. She is the daughter of Mexican immigrants and grew up speaking Spanish with her family. Carla holds a BA in Linguistics, Spanish, and Italian from UC Santa Barbara. Currently, she is working with Senderos as part of a fellowship from UCSC’s Humanities Institute. Carla hopes to do community-based research with Senderos, exploring how the organization supports the culture of the Latinx community in Santa Cruz.
Board of Trustees
Bicultural Therapist School
Adriana Rodriguez-Reyes works as a bilingual and bicultural therapist at a federally qualified health center, where she is deeply committed to bridging the gaps that language and cultural differences create. By providing culturally sensitive care she aims to reduce stigma and increase mental health awareness and access within historically marginalized communities. She pursued her education at San Jose State University, earning her Master of Social Work degree and PPS-CWA credentials. In her leisure time, she finds joy in outdoor activities and cherishing moments with her feline companions
Board Treasurer, Retired City Manager for the City of Santa Cruz
Martin Bernal served in the public sector for over 30 years retiring in 2021 after 24 years with the City of Santa Cruz, 11 as City Manager and 13 as Assistant City Manager. As City Manager, Martin was chief executive officer for an organization of 900 employees and a $300 million annual budget.
Martin has served on a number of non-profit boards including the Nueva Vista Community Resources, Community Bridges, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Leadership Santa Cruz. Martin is the son of former farmworkers who immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico and was the first in his family to receive a college degree. Martin received his Bachelor in Urban Studies from Stanford University and a Masters in Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. Martin is married to Martha, a local family doctor and has three children and one granddaughter.
Board President and Retired Principal, Branciforte Small Schools Campus
Curt Coleman encountered Senderos in its infancy in early 2002 and has been a supporter ever since. He retired from Santa Cruz City Schools in 2011 as the principal of the Branciforte Small Schools Campus. Curt teaches mindfulness at the Santa Cruz County Jail and enjoys meditating, gardening, and playing with his granddaughter. He finds inspiration in the Senderos community, especially the proudly bi-cultural children and youth.
Senderos Parent, Restaurant owner
Elena Gonzalez and her husband have owned and operated Taqueria Agave in Santa Cruz for the past 17 years. Her involvement with Senderos began in 2014 when her daughter and niece joined the organization’s after-school programs. Elena values Senderos for creating a welcoming cultural space where families can preserve and celebrate their traditions while passing them on to future generations. She is passionate about helping young people stay connected to their roots through dance and music, build pride in their culture, and participate in positive activities that strengthen their connection to the community.
Senderos Parent
Florencia Lopez has been a dedicated parent volunteer with Senderos since 2015. Over the years, she has actively supported the organization by volunteering at numerous fundraisers, events, and community activities. Her connection to Senderos also includes her son, Julio, who has participated as a dancer with Centeotl Danza y Baile. Flor’s continued involvement and volunteer service have been an important part of the Senderos community.
Assistant Director of Scholar Funding for Knight-Hennessy Scholars, Stanford University
Perla Miranda Garcia is a daughter of Mexican immigrants from the states of Oaxaca and Durango, and also a first-generation college graduate from San Jose, California. She earned a B.A. in Politics and Latin American and Latino Studies from UC Santa Cruz, an M.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Masters in Public Administration from San José State University. Perla has a passion for educational equity and community involvement which is carried out through her participation in the mentorship of college students and as a Board Trustee for Senderos.
Attorney – Santa Cruz Public Defender
Jose Gonzalez is the son of Mexican parents who immigrated here from the small town of San Nicolas in the state of Durango. He grew up in San Mateo and joined the Santa Cruz community in 2024 when he began work as an attorney with the Public Defender’s Office. As a Public Defender he advocates for those who cannot afford representation and aims to breath humanity into our criminal justice system. He hopes to bring emphasis to the Senderos goal of creating pathways to higher education and serve as a resource to all program participants. Los muros de la mente, son el perligro inminente. El Muro – Los Tigres Del Norte
Community & Economic Development Director for the City of Soledad
Beatriz Trujillo was born and raised in Guanajuato, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States at age 15. As an English learner, she quickly recognized the power of language as a source of communication, identity, culture, and resilience, while intentionally preserving and strengthening her Spanish. During college, she began working as a freelance interpreter and school district liaison, supporting families, including those navigating Special Education, which strengthened her commitment to language access and equity. Today, Beatriz serves as the Community & Economic Development Director for the City of Soledad, where she leads housing, homelessness, and economic development efforts. Across her professional and community work, she is committed to centering community voices, building strong partnerships, and creating more equitable and accessible systems that uplift the communities they serve.
Youth Advisors
Santa Cruz City Schools
Angela Gonzalez-Rojas has been part of Senderos since 2004. Her passion for dance and connection with her peers have inspired her to represent the youth and advocate for their voices, needs, and aspirations. Through baile folklórico Angela has found a way to celebrate her Mexican heritage, challenge stereotypes, and inspire others to embrace their own identities and cultures. Beyond dance Angela aspires to become a dentist and hopes to continue making a positive impact in her community. For her folklórico is more than a dance, it is a way to spark a sense of home away from home every time she steps on stage.
Santa Cruz City Schools
Quetzalli Robles is a student at Soquel High School and a proud youth member of the Senderos Board. Through her involvement with Senderos she has discovered the importance of using her voice, connecting with other young people, and contributing to her community. Her love for Mexican folklórico has also become a meaningful part of her identity. As a dancer and student teacher Quetzalli uses dance as a way to celebrate her Oaxacan roots, learn from her culture, and share it with others. She hopes to continue growing as a leader while encouraging other young people to take pride in their heritage and embrace their identities. For Quetzalli, folklórico is not simply a performance—it is a connection to her roots, her family, and the culture that continues to shape who she is.