Meet The Team

A dedicated clinical social worker, advocate, and community organizer. A first-generation immigrant from Guatemala, she moved to Rhode Island at sixteen. Tiana is an alumnus of Hope High School, holds a BA in psychology and a master’s degree in social work from Rhode Island College, and is independently licensed (LICSW).

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With 20 years of experience in social services, Tiana has helped children and families improve their lives, thrive, and succeed. Currently, Tiana is the vice president of programs, Head Start director at Children’s Friend, and the founder of Thrive Therapy Services. This practice offers mental health services in Providence.

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She is committed to public service and has served on numerous boards and commissions. She holds positions on the Providence Tourism Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island, and the City of Providence’s Board of Licenses. She is the President of the Guatemalan Center of New England.

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Irmas was born in Guatemala and co-founded the Guatemalan Center of New England. She is passionate about people, creativity, and community and has dedicated her life to uplifting others through the arts, culture, and service. With a background as a certified nursing assistant, she began her journey rooted in compassion and care.

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For over 25 years, she has built a successful career in real estate, helping hundreds of families achieve their dream of homeownership. A lifelong advocate for the arts, she actively supports cultural expression through her involvement in local art initiatives, community projects, and her creative pursuits. Her work embodies heart, heritage, and humanity, making her a trusted professional and valued community member. 

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Cesar is the proud co-founder of the Guatemalan Center of New England. He was born in Guatemala and immigrated to Providence in 1989, initiating a journey characterized by resilience and community involvement.

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As a former business owner, he contributed to the local economy and created opportunities within the community. His true passion emerged through community organizing, driven by a commitment to empowering the Latino community in Rhode Island. As an advocate for civic engagement, he has played a significant role in various city and state election campaigns, striving to amplify the voices of the Latino community and ensure their representation in the political process.

 

He has served on the Providence Human Relations Commission, advocating for equity and social justice, and participated in the Guatemalan Consulate's Community Round Table, enhancing services for Guatemalans in the area.

He currently works in Fleet Management for the City of Providence. He is the proud father of Ian and Emily.

Petronila was born and raised in the small community of Estanzuela, Joyabaj. In her early years, Petronila was touched by the generosity of the organizations that visited her and provided essential support, such as school supplies and dental care. These experiences left an indelible mark, awakening her desire to return the favor and help others one day.

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From a young age, Petronila demonstrated a strong activist spirit. As a member of Adolescents in Action at Grace Episcopal Church, she actively participated in community service projects in different states, volunteering at food banks and contributing to creating community gardens. She worked as a Quiché interpreter for St. Anne's Episcopal Church for two years. In this role, she facilitated missionary trips to Guatemala, where they sponsored and supported children's education, developed community resources such as a well, and provided crucial nutrition and health education.

 

These experiences solidified Petronila's lifelong conviction: her purpose lies in serving and empowering others. Their current activities and future social work are a testament to this unwavering dedication, reflecting their ongoing commitment to positively impacting the lives of people and communities locally and globally.

Juan has been a proud Board member of the Guatemalan Center of New England since 2010 and played an instrumental role in ensuring the organization achieved 501 (c) (3) status in 2012.

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As a healthcare worker and professional with over 30 years of experience, Juan has worked predominantly with immigrant communities in Rhode Island. He started his career with people experiencing homelessness through shelters and the Providence Center. Juan finished his Associate degree work in Biology, Laboratory studies, and Psychology at Rhode Island College.

 

He is an alumnus of the Upward Bound Preparatory Enrollment and Work-Study programs. While transitioning to a professional career, Juan continued to improve his bilingual skills and volunteer work, focusing on the real health issues of marginalized and low-income people in Providence. Juan earned certifications as a health and legal interpreter and used these skills as a parent leader for the Alfred Lima Elementary School dual-language program. Juan is passionate about his collective education and now serves to increase College Savings Accounts for Students in Providence Public and Charter Schools.

 

Born in Guatemala and emigrated to Providence at the age of ten, Walter contributes to the Guatemalan Center of New England with a strong commitment to community advocacy and extensive experience in human services. He has maintained a meaningful connection to his roots while dedicating his professional career to empowering underserved populations in Rhode Island.

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Walter holds a Master of Social Work degree from Rhode Island College and is an Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with considerable experience supporting individuals and families in clinical and community settings.

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He served on the Board of Directors of the Segue Institute for Learning (2017-2020) and the Rhode Island Department of Health's Board of Social Work Examiners (2016-2025). He currently serves as Department Chair and Adjunct Professor of Human Services at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), where he focuses on academic programming, student development, and community collaborations, demonstrating his commitment to human services education and mentoring.

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Byron is a proud alumnus of Providence Public Schools and a committed professional at the Rhode Island Foundation. He has a strong track record in software development, business process optimization, data analytics, and project and application management. His varied experience includes positions at Eastman Kodak and United Natural Foods, the Providence Department of Public Safety, and consulting with the Department of Transportation.

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Actively involved in his community, Byron serves on the Board of Directors of the Guatemalan Center and the Providence Community Health Centers. He is a graduate of Leadership Rhode Island and volunteers his time with animal welfare organizations, Providence Public Schools, and the Diocese of Providence. He holds a degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from Rhode Island College.​​​​​​​​​

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Aida is the Director of Human Resources and Workplace Culture at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island (BBBSRI), a position she has held since 2024. She joined the organization in March 2019 as a temporary team member and became a Bilingual Support Specialist. In 2022, she was promoted to Payroll and Benefits Manager before assuming her current role.

 

Before joining BBBSRI, Aida took time out of her studies to complete her studies and care for her son. She holds degrees in Marketing and Business Administration from Rhode Island College. She resides in North Providence with her son, Nicholas, and husband, Kevin.​​​​​​​​

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