Board of Directors  

The LUCA Board of Directors demonstrates a profound commitment to empowering first-generation students in their pursuit of higher education. Comprising professionals from diverse sectors—including finance, technology, and education—the board leverages its collective expertise to advance LUCA’s mission. Their strategic leadership and personal involvement have been instrumental in guiding LUCA’s growth and ensuring the organization effectively addresses the unique challenges faced by the communities we serve.

Shirley Acevedo Buontempo
Founder & Executive Director, LUCA

Lisa M. Bell – Treasurer
US Bank

Patricia Bogoya-Bravo
PepsiCo (retired)

Shawn Edwards – Secretary
Bloomberg LP

Mark Ellman
Celestial Capital Group (retired)

Christine Louvet – Chairperson
Louvet Consulting

Miguel M. Mendez
Morgan Stanley

Rafael Palomino 
Executive Chef/Proprietor

Rafael Pérez 
Practising Law Institute

Aldo J. Polak
Farlie Turner Gilbert & Co

Clara Román
Houlihan Lawrence

Jonathan Schwartz
The Brookings Institution

Scott Silverstein
Mojo

Dalia Valdés
Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty

Tamara Vasquez
datAInclusion LLC

Rodrigo Trelles Zabala
UBS O’Connor