meet our staff

Co-Directors

Mónica Jasis, MD, MPH   send email

I’m Mónica Jasis and I am co-director of Centro Mujeres. I am a general practitioner with a Masters in Public Health from San Diego State University (Maternal and Child Health), a Masters in Psychotherapy from the Centro Ericksoniano of Mexico, a post-doc in Reproductive Health Policy Research from the University of California, San Francisco and a graduate of the Center for Human Rights Study at Columbia University in New York. I have worked in women’s health research since 1983. Prior to founding Centro Mujeres, I was the Director of Preventive Medicine at La Paz General Hospital in Baja California Sur. I have fluency in Spanish and English. 

At Centro Mujeres I apply my experience from my work in a variety of communities and as a public health researcher.   My primary responsibility is in applied research, advocacy and public policy. This combination allows me to advocate effectively for the advancement of rights for women and youth in our state and nation.                  

Teresa Shields   send email

Hi, I serve as co-director of Centro Mujeres. I’m originally from Seattle, WA, but have been living in La Paz for more than 19 years. I have a BA in Human Services and am currently in a women’s study program. I also have specialized training in Grant Research and Writing, Non-Profit  Administration, and Qualitative Research. I have fluency in English and Spanish.

At Centro Mujeres I am responsible for general administration as well as coordinating our community-based programs. I have more than 30 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector and take pleasure from the challenges my work provides.  

 

Administrative Support

Carla Alvizo   send email

Hello, my name is Carla and I’ve worked at Centro Mujeres as an administrative assistant. I have a degree in Accounting from Tecnológico de La Paz and have been with Centro Mujeres for nine years   I enjoy the diversity of my work and supporting the La Paz and greater B.C.S. community.  

 

 

   

  Advocates COPADO/Jóvenes en Acción

Paul Marcial

My name is Paul and I have a degree in Social Work from Universidad Internacional de La Paz. I am the general coordinator for our youth program Advocates COPADO and began at Centro Mujeres as a youth leader in the first Advocates COPADO Leadership training (2002). This program has made important advances in B.C.S. and I am proud to be a part of this community. We are known as the “go to” group for questions relating to reproductive and sexual health and rights.         

 

 

Perla Noemi Estrada Acevedo

Hi, my name is Perla and I am a graduate from the second Advocates COPADO Leadership Training for Youth and now work within the program. I have been with the project for the last five years and serve as the liaison for outlying counties and with other youth groups working in reproductive and sexual rights in the region. I am known for the creation of promotional and didactic materials used in our workshops and campaigns.   

 

 

Armida Sanchez   send email       

I am a  graduate from the first Advocates COPADO Leadership Training for Youth. Following high school,  I attended a local University and  earned a degree in Psychology.  I am happy to be back at Centro Mujeres and proud to be part of the youth program where I feel I can make a valuable contribution to the program and my community. 

 

 

 

 

Health Trainers 

Luz Maria Muro

I am a graduate of the second PROMESA training held in 1998.  Following my training I worked as a trainer within the PROMESA program, and then dedicated myself as a technician in Centro Mujeres'cancer prevention program. 

 

 

                            

    Carmen Montoya    Graduating from the PROMESA leadership training program made an incredible difference in my life. I have become a very strong advocate for women, and work to empower women in the community. I am currently participating in community health promotion and violence prevention activities. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Socorro Burciaga

I am a graduate of the PROMESA leadership training and have worked at Centro Mujeres as a community trainer, leading other women in PROMESA workshops. I am currently involved in community outreach, and health promotion activities.      

 

 

 

 

 Community Programs

Alma Delia Ojendis

My name is Alma and I am a licensed psychologist and nurse with a specialty in Public Health. I have 15 years of experience with the Secretary of Health, worked as a supervisor of Community Action of Rural Health in Comondu, and worked with the Municipal Health Committee for Accident Prevention. I have been collaborating with Centro Mujeres since I participated in their first Leadership Training Program on Gender, Reproductive Health and Population. I now work principally as a community trainer for professionals. I like working at Centro Mujeres because I can actively facilitate community change and have a positive impact on children, young people, women and families.  

 

  

 Josefina Salas

My name is Josefina and I first came to Centro Mujeres eleven years ago as a teen parent in the COPADO peer education program.  Since then I have received extensive training and enjoy implementing community workshops for women and teens.  I am currently working part time in the "Little Ones" violence prevention program and attending nursing school.  I get great fulfillment from my work in the community.