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Itzel Ramos
Director of Operations / Managing Director of Casa Iskali [email protected] Itzel, originally from Santa Maria del Oro, Durango, Mexico, serves as Managing Director of Casa Iskali and supports the Christian Parent Initiative, which is funded by Lilly Endowment. Married with two sons, she relocated from Austin, TX to Chicago several years ago. Initially pursuing medicine, she transitioned to nursing and then to the dental field, building a successful career in management and administration. Itzel joined the Iskali community in March 2022, drawn by its mission to empower younger generations, especially within the Latino community. Her compassionate nature and unwavering dedication make her an invaluable asset to Iskali, where she fulfills her calling to serve God and others. |
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Pablo A. Cruz
Director of Young Adult Initiative [email protected] Pablo is the Director of the Young Adult Initiative at Iskali, where he leads efforts to accompany and form young adult leaders in partnership with the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame, with support from the Lilly Endowment. He is a business, social service, and outreach professional with over 15 years of experience. An immigrant from Guatemala, Pablo has personally faced and overcome many of the challenges experienced by immigrant communities. He holds a Master’s in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University Chicago and a degree in Young Adult Leadership from the University of Saint Mary of the Lake. Bilingual and bicultural, Pablo brings over a decade of experience in young adult ministry and leadership formation, with a deep commitment to faith-based, outcome-driven service that builds up the Church and the wider community. |
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Vicente Del Real
Founder of Iskali Vicente Del Real, a Mexican immigrant and founder of Iskali, an independent Catholic non-profit in Chicago, is dedicated to empowering young Latino adults as faith-filled leaders. With a dynamic leadership style and a passion for his mission, Vicente is a catalyst for transformational change within the Latino community. He was honored as part of the 2020 class of 40 under 40 by Negocios Now, a prestigious Hispanic business publication, for his outstanding contributions to leadership and entrepreneurship in the Chicagoland area. Vicente graduated from the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative within the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Stanford Graduate School of Business as part of LBAN he also holds a Master's Degree in Pastoral Arts from the Catholic Theological Union. |
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Jaqueline Romo
Director of Christian Parenting Initiative [email protected] Jaqueline is deeply rooted in her vocation as a wife and new mother, and she brings that same passion to her role as Director of the Christian Parenting Initiative at Iskali. Embracing the joys and challenges of both ministry and motherhood, Jaqui offers a heartfelt perspective on raising children in the faith. Through her leadership, she walks alongside young Latino parents, helping them nurture vibrant, faith-filled family lives. Jaqui is currently pursuing her graduate studies at Catholic Theological Union, where she is a St. Oscar Romero Scholar. She is also an active parishioner at Mother of the Americas Parish in Little Village. |
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Linley Castagna
Accountant Linley holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. She has over 24 years of experience as an accounting professional with extensive experience in bookkeeping and financial management. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and certifications in payroll practices and computer information systems. Over the years, Linley has worked in various accounting roles, including as a full-charge bookkeeper and senior accountant. She has managed accounts payable, payroll, reconciliations, and financial statement reviews for companies across multiple industries. Linley is proficient in QuickBooks, Microsoft Office, and other financial software, and she has a strong track record of improving financial operations in her roles. |
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Kiara Vazquez
Service & Community Partnership Coordinator [email protected] Kiara, born and raised in Chicago, and has roots from Monterrey, Mexico. Kiara, as a first- generation student, is seeking to obtain her B.A in Business Administration in Accounting, and a minor in Philanthropic studies. She has been part of Iskali as a community member since October 2021. She graduated from Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, and through their work study program got offered a position at Wintrust Bank. Kiara comes from 10+ years of banking experience, and recently joined our team as our Service & Community Partnership Coordinator. |
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Eileen Delgadillo
Communications Coordinator [email protected] Eileen was born and raised in Chicago and has spent most of her life in the neighborhoods of La Villita and Pilsen. She proudly embraces her roots from Jalisco, Mexico and is a first-generation college student currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media at National Louis University. Before returning to school, Eileen worked for four years in the legal field an experience that strengthened her communication skills and deepened her passion for service. Guided by her faith, she felt called to continue her education and explore her vocation more intentionally. Eileen serves as a guía at Mother of the Americas Parish and recently joined Iskali’s Communications Team. |
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Fernanda Balderrama
Support - Programs and Formation Fernanda Balderrama is a young Mexican from Phoenix, Arizona, currently pursuing her Master's degree in Theology and Hispanic Ministry in Chicago. At Iskali, she works as a coordinator for the Mother of the Americas Community in La Villita and is also a member of the Formation Committee. Fernanda became part of the Iskali community in June 2022, bringing her dedication to community engagement and spiritual development to the forefront of her work. |
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Daniel Iván Sánchez García
Lead Missionary Daniel Ivan Sanchez Garcia born and raised in Washington with family roots in Oaxaca, Mexico, Daniel holds a Master of Divinity from the University of St. Mary of the Lake and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Developmental Psychology. After eight years in seminary formation, he embraced his call to holiness as a layman and now serves as Lead Missionary at Iskali, where he inspires young Catholic Latinos to encounter Christ, build authentic community, and grow as missionary disciples. With over a decade of experience in youth and young adult ministry—from parish retreats and international pilgrimages to migrant ministry and hospital chaplaincy—Daniel brings both depth and passion to his service. At the heart of his missionary spirit is the unconditional love of the Father, a love that heals and renews all things. |
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Miguel García
Missionary [email protected] Born in Veracruz, Mexico, he immigrated to the U.S. at seven and attended Catholic school in Milwaukee. With DACA support, he earned a degree in IT and a minor in Film Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After feeling lost post-graduation, he found purpose at an Iskali initiation retreat. Since then, he has volunteered in Chicago and Milwaukee, documenting young Hispanic adults in the Catholic Church through his series “40 Days, 40 Testimonies,” which has over 100,000 views. He also covered the 2024 Iskali Conference. Now active in the St. Anthony, St. Patrick, and St. Joseph communities, he aims to become a missionary, inspiring the next generation of young adults in the Church. |
