Elena Mireles-Hill, community investment officer at Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF), is a member of the 2018 Hispanics in Philanthropy NGen Líderes Program, joining 28 other Latina/o professionals nationwide in the six-month program.

The interactive experience includes an in-person retreat and two webinars a month covering theory, field practices, and case studies in advancing more equitable philanthropy.

"I’m honored to be a part of this cohort," says Mireles-Hill. "We’ve already begun building a strong network among us. Through this experience, we will share resources and best practices for investing in our local Latino communities."

According to Mireles-Hill, "The conversations we are having are about building the collective power of our community – with residents, with nonprofits, and in our grantmaking. With everything our community is going through right now, especially our immigrant sisters and brothers, advocacy and resources for our community are desperately needed. I’m grateful for the opportunity to apply the knowledge I’m gaining to my work through the Community Foundation."

Mireles-Hill, who grew up in California, holds a masters in Social Work and Pastoral Ministry with a focus on Hispanic Ministry from Boston College.