Board Members – Sones de Mexico Ensemble

The success of any organization depends in large part on the existence of a strong and committed Board of Directors.

Sones de México Ensemble is fortunate to have such a team to support our mission, values and vision.

Meet the Board

President

Helen Valdez

Helen Valdez is a dedicated retired faculty member from Truman College in Chicago, where she taught mathematics for three decades and led the department as chairperson from 2004 to 2010. She played a significant role in establishing the Transitional Bilingual Learning Community (TBLC) at Truman College, which continues to support immigrant Latino students in their pursuit of higher education. Valdez’s contributions extend beyond education to the arts and nonprofit sectors, where she co-founded and directed the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, later renamed the National Museum of Mexican Art. She has served on the boards of various organizations promoting cultural expression and appreciation, showcasing her commitment to community involvement and education.

Valdez holds an MST…

Henry Roa

Mexican Folkloric Dance

All that I accomplished was done with my late wife Juanita; She walked beside me as I walked beside her in her accomplishments.

– Executive Director Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago
– Executive Director Cuerdas Clasicas, Inc.
– Board member, and now Vice President of Sones de Mexico Ensemble
– Admin Assistant Associate de Charros Cuatro Caminos
– Member Padre Silva Retirement Home Fund in Coatzintla Veracruz, Mexico
– Board member Pope John Paul II Catholic School

Secretary

Álvaro R. Obregón

Chicago Mariachi Project

Founder of the Chicago Mariachi Project 2013 – Present

The Chicago Mariachi Project is a federally registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to elevate the Art of Mariachi and promote excellence in musicianship through education, coordination and support.

As President of the Board of Directors, a volunteer position, I serve as chief executive of the Chicago Mariachi Project.

Treasurer

Queta Rodriguez Bauer

Our former board president, Queta is a seasoned strategic communications professional with a focus on public and community relations. As the founder of the acclaimed firm Cultural Communications, LLC in 2000, she led successful multilingual campaigns and qualitative research efforts for clients like the City of Chicago and the Aspira Association.
With a Master of Science in Communication from Northwestern University, Queta’s expertise has been recognized with awards such as the Gold Quill Award of Excellence and the Golden Trumpet Awards. Actively engaged in volunteer work, she has served on various non-profit boards and currently contributes to Survivors of Torture, International, and Sones de Mexico Ensemble.

Residing in Chicago with her multicultural family, Queta enjoys opera, Mexican folk music, and exploring diverse cuisines and wines.

Member

MARIE ALSACE GALINDO

BorgWarner, Inc.

Marie Alsace Galindo is a Mexican attorney and corporate counsel for Latin America at an automotive supplier in Michigan. With over 20 years of legal experience, she has worked in law firms in Michigan and Mexico before transitioning to in-house counsel roles in the automotive industry.
She is also involved in community organizations, volunteers. She has a passion for folkloric dance, and was part of the Joyas de Mexico folklore dance group in Michigan. She also played the violin and piano in her childhood.

Marie Alsace holds a BA in Art History from Universidad Iberoamericana, a law degree from UNAM in Mexico City, and an LL.M. in International Arbitration and Art Law from the University of London.

Member

Dr. EDUARDO GARZA

Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County

RDr. Eduardo Garza is a trailblazer in Chicago’s urban education and policy arena, with over two decades of impactful leadership. From his roles as Senior Policy Advisor and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at CPS to his tenure in community colleges, Dr. Garza has championed equity and student success.
An Adjunct Professor at DePaul University, his research on Hispanic student resiliency has shaped contemporary educational policies. Beyond education, he has driven progressive legislation and philanthropic initiatives, earning accolades for his civic contributions.

Currently, as a lead coordinator in Cook County, Dr. Garza spearheads transformative justice initiatives, embodying his commitment to societal advancement and empowerment.

Member

Elena Mulcahy

Elena Berezaluce Mulcahy is a passionate advocate for the improvement of Latino education, and as such, has integrated that mission into the various positions she has held – beginning with State of Illinois working with the unit responsible for the first monies allocated for Bilingual Education, followed by a number of years with The Chicago Public Schools as Director of Transitional Bilingual Education. She then worked at Truman College as Assistant Dean of Adult Education and later, as Director of School/College partnership. Since her retirement in 2002, she has been active as a founding member of Chicago Semillas and was the Chairman of the Board of St. Augustine College, a Chicago based bilingual college that supports the Latino Community. Elena’s family is from Tabasco, Mexico. She holds a B.A. from the University of Illinois, an M.S. From Florida State University and an Ed.D. from Nova University.

Member

ADRIANA ROSADO-BONEWITZ

Leonor Adriana Rosado-Bonewitz, founder and vice-president of a translation company, boasts a rich background in translation and cross-cultural orientation, stemming from her early involvement in multicultural activities when her family hosted an international student in Mexico. With career highlights including roles in prominent companies across various countries, such as a U.S. subsidiary of a Venezuelan oil company and a major U.S. healthcare company, Adriana has also contributed to the National Geographic Society. A citizen of the United States, originally from Mexico, she graduated with honors in French from the University of Houston, founded her translation company in 1992, and is an active member of the American Translators Association and SIETAR. Adriana has also served on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lake County, advised Latino and international student organizations at Lake Forest College, and received awards for her contributions to her community and entrepreneurship, including the 1998 LUCI award and the 2003 Woman of Achievement Award.

Member

Juan Díes

Executive Director

Mexican folk musician (GRAMMY Award Nominee for Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album of 2008 and Latin GRAMMY Award Nominee for Best Folk Album of 2007), composer, singer, storyteller, educator, arts administrator, producer, grant writer, translator, marketing consultant, BA Sociology/Anthropology & Music Earlham College (1984-1988), MA Folklore/Ethnomusicology Indiana University (1989-1993). Native Spanish, computers (graphic design, audio/video editing, Apple OS)