Staff
Michelle Garzon
Operations Manager
Michelle Garzon is a graduate from Queens College where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Urban Studies. She is passionate about cultures and social relations. Growing up in a multiethnic neighborhood in Queens, NY exposed Michelle to a diverse environment while also allowing her to maintain her Colombian roots. As a Latina, Michelle hopes to see the Latinx community progress and prosper against the systemic issues its people endure. Her goal is to bring awareness to the various inequalities Latinas of all ages experience. More specifically, in ending the stigma against mental health within the Latinx community. Michelle is inspired by the mission of the L.O.V.E. Mentoring Program and its goal to support and empower young women throughout the city and is delighted to be part of the team.
Andrea Jiménez
Operations Manager
Andrea joined L.O.V.E. Mentoring as Operations Manager, where she is dedicated to supporting and empowering young women across New York City. Originally from Costa Rica, Andrea was raised with a sense of resilience and encouragement from her family, values that now drive her professional approach.
Andrea brings a Master’s degree in Criminology from Loyola University New Orleans, with a background in advocacy and program management. Early in her career, she focused on supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, developing a deep understanding of trauma-informed care. Later, she took on a leadership role overseeing operations in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas, where she supported the undocumented population. More recently, she has managed an office in New York, continuing to oversee complex operations and improve service delivery across multiple regions.
Andrea’s diverse experience and passion for community development position her to make a lasting impact on L.O.V.E. Mentoring’s mission.
Nancy Mares
Program Manager
With over five years of experience in various educational and social service settings, Nancy is passionate about empowering the youth through mentorship and education. As Program Manager at L.O.V.E., she oversees the implementation and evaluation of school-based and community-based programs that support the academic and personal growth of young women in NYC.
Nancy has a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The City College of New York, and is fluent in Spanish. Nancy also has experience as an Assistant Teacher, a Peer Mentor, and a Supplemental Instruction Leader, where she gained valuable insights into the educational needs and challenges of diverse and underserved populations. She is motivated by the mission of L.O.V.E. Mentoring, which empowers young women to identify their innate strength to fulfill their personal and professional goals through mentorship and health education. She believes that by providing mentorship and guidance, she can help mentees achieve their academic and personal goals while contributing to the Latino community. She's excited to be part of a team that values diversity, inclusion, and excellence, and that strives to make a positive impact on the lives of young Latinas.
Larissa Santiago Escaso
Volunteer Manager
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Larissa started her career as a teenage model in the fashion and entertainment industry in San Juan. Later, she decided to put her college education on hold and moved to New York City to pursue her dream of becoming an international model and actress. She experienced first-hand how the beauty industry’s unregulated and unrealistic beauty standards impact young women’s mental health. Now, she wants to help other women realize their own potential to create the life of their dreams through the power of community, and by creating awareness of mental health, eating disorders, self-love, and access to post-secondary education.
L.O.V.E. has become a launchpad for Larissa to experience working in the nonprofit sector, which enriches her own social entrepreneur aspirations in the mental health field. She joined L.O.V.E. as a volunteer mentor and currently works as our Volunteer Manager. She has an Associate’s Degree in Advertising Communications from Universidad de Puerto Rico. Larissa also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Communications and Literature from the School of Professional Studies at the City University of New York.
Angela Ixim
Communications Coordinator
Angela Ixim is a passionate advocate and storyteller who graduated from The New School with a Bachelor of Arts in Culture and Media. As a first-generation student and witness to her parents' challenging immigrant experience in the United States, Angela was inspired to amplify the voices of the "voiceless" in society through her creative work. Her portfolio includes numerous impactful short films and documentaries, with her notable work "Undocumented" even being featured in The New Yorker Magazine. Joining L.O.V.E. as a social media intern, Angela demonstrated her unwavering commitment to empowering the Latinx community. Now serving as our Communications Coordinator, she continues to build a vibrant and inclusive community.
Maya Luna Imperial
Development Coordinator
Born and raised in San Francisco, Maya Luna’s childhood was shaped by the city’s vibrant arts community. At eight years old, she joined the Grrrl Brigade, a nonprofit leadership and empowerment dance program for girls. The studio was located in the heart of the Mission District, a historically Latino neighborhood with a strong commitment to preserving community culture. This experience sparked Maya Luna's lifelong passion for issues affecting women and girls, as well as for nurturing her communities.
Maya Luna attended The New School, where she studied abroad in Costa Rica, deepening her love for Latin America. Her travels after high school, which took her through Panama, Nicaragua, and Cuba, furthered her interest in global affairs. Inspired by these experiences, Maya Luna graduated from The New School with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs, focusing on development and gaining a specialized interest in philanthropy and conscious, impactful giving.
L.O.V.E.'s dedication to empowering girls and supporting the community resonated with Maya Luna, calling her to join and contribute to a program that reminded her of her own journey into “fearless girl power.” She is excited for the program’s continued growth and deeply grateful for the community she has found at L.O.V.E.
Tiffany Moreno
Program Coordinator
Tiffany holds a Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology with a minor in Counseling from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling. Tiffany became passionate about working with young women of color after witnessing the unique challenges they face regarding mental health and wellness. Her experience in both mental health and reproductive health has deepened her commitment to becoming a licensed counselor dedicated to providing culturally responsive support. Tiffany joined L.O.V.E. Mentoring as a volunteer mentor and is now a Program Coordinator, where she ensures young women feel empowered, heard, and equipped to pursue their goals.
Kiana Calderon
Program Associate
Kiana is a recent graduate from Hunter College with a degree in Human Biology! Starting as a mentor herself, Kiana was inspired by L.O.V.E.’s mission to foster positive relationships and serve as an advocate for young girls throughout their academic and personal endeavors. Having benefited from mentorship in high school herself, Kiana understands the transformative power of having a support system to break barriers and achieve success. Her mother established a legacy of higher education by being the first to attend college, thereby paving the way for Kiana and her older sister to dream big and strive for excellence. As a Program Associate, Kiana brings this unwavering dedication and enthusiasm into the classroom, experiencing first-hand the fulfillment in empowering our mentees to discover their strengths and reach their full potential. Kiana organizes lessons and leads discussion surrounding the L.O.V.E curriculum, and provides one-on-one support to help her mentees navigate through the challenges of academia and personal growth.
Grace Kelly
Program Associate
Grace Kelly joined L.O.V.E. as a Program Associate while completing her master’s degree at The New School for Social Research, where she specializes in Queer Feminist Political Theory, Latin American Cultures, and Transnational Politics.
She brings a wealth of academic and practical experience to her role, with a background in advocacy programming, multilingual learning, government relations, and community engagement. During her two years facilitating education programs for the International Rescue Committee in New York City, she quickly recognized the unique challenges Latina women face, including impacts on mental health and obstacles to achieving their goals. This experience fuels her passion for L.O.V.E.’s mission of empowering Latina women and equipping them with the resources needed to thrive.
Grace is deeply committed to structural social change, as reflected in her studies, creative research, and professional expertise. She feels honored and excited to align her personal passions with the goals of L.O.V.E.
Andreína González Díez
Program Associate
Energetic, driven, and innovative, Andreína González Díez is a dynamic media professional passionate about building a successful future that empowers others to overcome challenges. Born and raised in Venezuela, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a minor in Marketing from Arturo Michelena University. Now based in New York City, Andreína has developed expertise in healthcare marketing and content creation, with a focus on strategic thinking, innovation, and impactful storytelling.
Her journey with L.O.V.E. began as a volunteer, where she quickly recognized the power of sharing her experiences to inspire others. Through mentorship and collaboration, she saw firsthand how creating a supportive environment for young girls can help break down barriers. Now, as a Program Associate, she remains dedicated to helping the Latin community thrive by leading L.O.V.E.'s mentoring sessions, fostering inclusivity, diversity, and personal growth for young women.
Lilly Gallego
Programs Intern
Lilly is a junior at Fordham University, Lincoln Center, where she is majoring in Sociology with a minor in English. She joins L.O.V.E. as the Program Intern. Previously, Lilly worked with children as a summer camp counselor and a dance teacher. Growing up, she often wished for more role models in her community who looked like her, so she was thrilled at the opportunity to work with L.O.V.E.
In addition to her internship, Lilly is a student organizer at Fordham, focused on distributing grant funds to communities affected by environmental injustices. She is passionate about social justice, community engagement, and combating mental health stigma. Lilly is excited to make a positive impact during her time with L.O.V.E.!
Lizabel Calderon
Programs Intern
Lizabel Calderon joins the L.O.V.E. program with enthusiasm for creating a safe and inclusive space where young women can freely learn and discuss often overlooked topics. Raised in New York City, Lizabel is dedicated to connecting young women with essential resources and support. Currently studying elementary education and psychology, she brings valuable experience from her work with the NYC Department of Education, where she has supported emerging readers one-on-one.
Lev Tatz
Digital Consultant
Lev moved to New York in 2001 from Lithuania. He started building websites in high school and received a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from NYU. Lev is driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and passion for developing beautiful and efficient software. After several years freelancing as a web developer and working on early stage startups, he began working as a software engineer at later stage startups in New York City.
