| STAFF |
| Home Mission History Board Staff Donations Gallery Contact Programs Projects Victories/ Accomplish ments Recent Events |
Susana Almanza, Co-Director, is a native of East Austin and resides in Montopolis, a
community in East Austin. She is responsible for general office administration,
personnel management, resource development, and program work. Susana is a former
member of the City of Austin Environmental Board and former Planning Commissioner
for the City of Austin. On the national level, Susana has served on numerous
committees including the EPA's Title VI Implementation Advisory Committee. Susana is
currently one of three co-chairs for the Southwest Network for Environmental and
Economic Justice, a regional network.
Erika González, Co-Director, is a native of Eagle Pass, Texas and the border of
Piedras Negras, Coahuila Mexico. She now is a resident of Southeast Austin. Erika is
responsible for coordinating all youth related activities and the supervision of all youth
organizers. Erika also co-coordinates PODER’s Nahui Ollin Healthy Communities
project projects and other projects around transportation and juvenile justice. Erika is
a board member of the Highlander Research and Education Center and is a core group
member of the Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice’s Youth
Leadership Development Campaign. Erika also teaches theatre at an elementary after
school program and co-facilitates poetry workshops at Johnston High School through
Red Salmon Arts, Save Our Youth Program (SOY). Erika has a B.A. in Elementary
Education and a minor in Psychology from St. Edward’s University through the College
Assistance Migrant Program and is also a poet and a flautist.
Sylvia Herrera, Health Coordinator, a native of East Austin, is a founding member of
PODER and resides in one of the neighborhoods adjacent to the East Austin Tank
Farm. She is responsible for coordination of environmental health information for
PODER's programs and the Nahui Ollin-Healthy Communities and the Young Scholars
for Justice projects. Sylvia received her Ph.D. in Kinesiology and Health Education from
the University of Texas at Austin. She is presently on the state of Texas Environmental
Health Institute, the Holly Power Plant Closure Committee and the Johnston High School
Campus Advisory Council.
Librado Almanza, Technology Coordinator/Organizer is responsible for coordinating
the Technology, Education, Advocacy and Mobilization (TEAM) Project. TEAM seeks to
narrow the digital divide for PODER board members and others in the community by
providing them with technology and training. Librado is a resident of the Montopolis
community, a southeast Austin neighborhood and is a current part time student at
Austin Community College
Carmen Llanes,Research Analyst and Community Organizer, is a native Austinite and
grew up among grassroots and neighborhood organizers from all backgrounds. She
coordinates the development and restoration committee for Oak Springs Preserve, co-
facilitates PODER's youth and health-related programs, represents PODER on the
Juvenile Justice Roundtable, and works actively with the Texas Fair Trade Coalition.
Carmen graduated in University of Chicago A.B. '07 with a degree in Environmental
Studies, focusing on social, nutritional and environmental impacts of food trade in
NAFTA as it has developed over 15 years. She also works with Southwest Key
Programs on voter empowerment in East Austin and beyond.
community in East Austin. She is responsible for general office administration,
personnel management, resource development, and program work. Susana is a former
member of the City of Austin Environmental Board and former Planning Commissioner
for the City of Austin. On the national level, Susana has served on numerous
committees including the EPA's Title VI Implementation Advisory Committee. Susana is
currently one of three co-chairs for the Southwest Network for Environmental and
Economic Justice, a regional network.
Erika González, Co-Director, is a native of Eagle Pass, Texas and the border of
Piedras Negras, Coahuila Mexico. She now is a resident of Southeast Austin. Erika is
responsible for coordinating all youth related activities and the supervision of all youth
organizers. Erika also co-coordinates PODER’s Nahui Ollin Healthy Communities
project projects and other projects around transportation and juvenile justice. Erika is
a board member of the Highlander Research and Education Center and is a core group
member of the Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice’s Youth
Leadership Development Campaign. Erika also teaches theatre at an elementary after
school program and co-facilitates poetry workshops at Johnston High School through
Red Salmon Arts, Save Our Youth Program (SOY). Erika has a B.A. in Elementary
Education and a minor in Psychology from St. Edward’s University through the College
Assistance Migrant Program and is also a poet and a flautist.
Sylvia Herrera, Health Coordinator, a native of East Austin, is a founding member of
PODER and resides in one of the neighborhoods adjacent to the East Austin Tank
Farm. She is responsible for coordination of environmental health information for
PODER's programs and the Nahui Ollin-Healthy Communities and the Young Scholars
for Justice projects. Sylvia received her Ph.D. in Kinesiology and Health Education from
the University of Texas at Austin. She is presently on the state of Texas Environmental
Health Institute, the Holly Power Plant Closure Committee and the Johnston High School
Campus Advisory Council.
Librado Almanza, Technology Coordinator/Organizer is responsible for coordinating
the Technology, Education, Advocacy and Mobilization (TEAM) Project. TEAM seeks to
narrow the digital divide for PODER board members and others in the community by
providing them with technology and training. Librado is a resident of the Montopolis
community, a southeast Austin neighborhood and is a current part time student at
Austin Community College
Carmen Llanes,Research Analyst and Community Organizer, is a native Austinite and
grew up among grassroots and neighborhood organizers from all backgrounds. She
coordinates the development and restoration committee for Oak Springs Preserve, co-
facilitates PODER's youth and health-related programs, represents PODER on the
Juvenile Justice Roundtable, and works actively with the Texas Fair Trade Coalition.
Carmen graduated in University of Chicago A.B. '07 with a degree in Environmental
Studies, focusing on social, nutritional and environmental impacts of food trade in
NAFTA as it has developed over 15 years. She also works with Southwest Key
Programs on voter empowerment in East Austin and beyond.