meet our staff

Co-Directors

Mónica Jasis, MD, MPH   send email

 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

 I serve as co-director of Centro Mujeres. I’m originally from Seattle, WA, but have been living in La Paz for more than 20 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

 I work at Centro Mujeres as an administrative assistant. I am currently studying a Masters Degree in Fiscal Administration and have a degree in Accounting from the Tecnológico de La Paz and have been with Centro Mujeres for nine years   I enjoy the diversity of my work and supporting  La Paz and the greater B.C.S. community.  

 

 

   

 

  Advocates COPADO/Jóvenes en Acción

Ruth Paola Meza Ortega

  I am a law student in my last semester at the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur. I am the general coordinator of the youth program, Advocates COPADO.   I am proud to be part of a program that has made so many important advances in B.C.S. on behalf of young people. Jovenes en Acción is known as the “go to” group for questions relating to reproductive and sexual health and rights!         

 

 

 

 Perla Noemi Estrada Acevedo

 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 six 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.   

 

 

 

Association for the Rights of Young People

 Ninfa Martinez Alfaro

 I have a degree in Foreign Commerce from the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur.   I am the coordinator of Centro Mujeres' program that focuses on public policy for young people. With my team of students from local private and public universities we are working together to create change that will benefit the lives of all young people in our state.   Come Join Us!

 

 

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 proud 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

 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

 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 a nursing student and work part time in Centro Mujeres women's clinic in cancer prevention.