STAFF
Pronouns: They/Them/Elle
pamela reséndiz trujano, Executive Director, pamela@cojwj.org:
Originally from Mexico City, Mexico, Pamela grew up undocumented and queer in the suburbs outside of Dallas, Texas. Their worker rights education and advocacy began at a young age by the experiences and teachings of their parents and community. Pamela became heavily involved in the movement after being detained and placed in deportation proceedings in March 2010. Upon their release from the Don Hutto Detention Center, Pamela co-founded and led a Texas University hunger strike that launched at the national level for passage of the DREAM Act. They served as board member for United We Dream from 2012-2016, during the historic victory and implementation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Pamela is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio, and holds a B.A. in Political Science, minor in Latin American studies, and was accepted to the Institute for Law and Public Affairs Summer Law School Preparation Academy (SLSPA). Post-graduation, Pamela completed an internship with the Mexican American League Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
They began working with the labor movement in Albuquerque as member coordinator with Working America and as mobilization coordinator with the Dallas AFL-CIO CLC, where they worked on local and state campaigns ranging from increasing the minimum wage in Bernalillo County to running field work during state and city council elections increasing union membership voter turnout. Pamela has been trained in strategic digital organizing and communications, campaign and membership development and story telling. Shortly after serving as Executive Director of Texas Jobs with Justice, Pamela moved to Denver in 2016 to serve as Deputy Director of United for a New Economy and UNE Action to co- create and launch their unique membership model and lead their field organizing efforts. Pamela is excited to continue the work Colorado Jobs with Justice has done in Colorado to advance and defend workers rights and the inter- sectional identities workers hold.
They currently serve on the Chinook Board of Directors and are a U-VISA holder.
Originally from Mexico City, Mexico, Pamela grew up undocumented and queer in the suburbs outside of Dallas, Texas. Their worker rights education and advocacy began at a young age by the experiences and teachings of their parents and community. Pamela became heavily involved in the movement after being detained and placed in deportation proceedings in March 2010. Upon their release from the Don Hutto Detention Center, Pamela co-founded and led a Texas University hunger strike that launched at the national level for passage of the DREAM Act. They served as board member for United We Dream from 2012-2016, during the historic victory and implementation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Pamela is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio, and holds a B.A. in Political Science, minor in Latin American studies, and was accepted to the Institute for Law and Public Affairs Summer Law School Preparation Academy (SLSPA). Post-graduation, Pamela completed an internship with the Mexican American League Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
They began working with the labor movement in Albuquerque as member coordinator with Working America and as mobilization coordinator with the Dallas AFL-CIO CLC, where they worked on local and state campaigns ranging from increasing the minimum wage in Bernalillo County to running field work during state and city council elections increasing union membership voter turnout. Pamela has been trained in strategic digital organizing and communications, campaign and membership development and story telling. Shortly after serving as Executive Director of Texas Jobs with Justice, Pamela moved to Denver in 2016 to serve as Deputy Director of United for a New Economy and UNE Action to co- create and launch their unique membership model and lead their field organizing efforts. Pamela is excited to continue the work Colorado Jobs with Justice has done in Colorado to advance and defend workers rights and the inter- sectional identities workers hold.
They currently serve on the Chinook Board of Directors and are a U-VISA holder.
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Sofia Solano, Organizing Director, sofia@cojwj.org:
Sofia Solano is Denver born and raised with a strong commitment and extensive experience in movement building. From a young age, Sofia began learning about the importance of activism and labor rights. Her father worked for with the United Farmworker in Southern Colorado and made sure Sofia was always aware workers' struggle and the need for worker power.
Sofia is a graduate from Metropolitan State University with a B.A. in Modern Languages and a Minor in Chicano Studies. During her time at MSU, Sofia spent a little over two years studying abroad at the Universidad de Guadalajara in Jalisco MX.
Sofia has spent her career working for living wages, immigrant rights, racial equity, and worker’s rights. She has wide-range experience working with many non-profit organizations on issues ranging from voter education to sexual harassment in the workplace. Throughout her career she has organized in schools, churches, synagogues, mosques, and has organized workers ranging from healthcare workers to janitorial staff. Most recently as a labor organizer with SEIU, Sofia worked with predominately immigrant communities supporting workers to form a union. Sofia is excited to continue her work to defend and empower workers at Colorado Jobs with Justice as the Organizing Director.
Sofia Solano is Denver born and raised with a strong commitment and extensive experience in movement building. From a young age, Sofia began learning about the importance of activism and labor rights. Her father worked for with the United Farmworker in Southern Colorado and made sure Sofia was always aware workers' struggle and the need for worker power.
Sofia is a graduate from Metropolitan State University with a B.A. in Modern Languages and a Minor in Chicano Studies. During her time at MSU, Sofia spent a little over two years studying abroad at the Universidad de Guadalajara in Jalisco MX.
Sofia has spent her career working for living wages, immigrant rights, racial equity, and worker’s rights. She has wide-range experience working with many non-profit organizations on issues ranging from voter education to sexual harassment in the workplace. Throughout her career she has organized in schools, churches, synagogues, mosques, and has organized workers ranging from healthcare workers to janitorial staff. Most recently as a labor organizer with SEIU, Sofia worked with predominately immigrant communities supporting workers to form a union. Sofia is excited to continue her work to defend and empower workers at Colorado Jobs with Justice as the Organizing Director.
Pronouns: She/Her
Jillian Cruickshank, Lead Digital and Campaign Organizer, jillian@cojwj.org:
Jillian is a labor and climate justice organizer from Jacksonville, Florida. Her family of four was raised in a poor working-class family by an elementary school teacher. She is relocating from Orlando, Florida, where she has lived for the last four years studying political science, focusing on American Policy and Environmental Studies, and graduated from the University of Central Florida. During undergrad, Jillian was introduced to organizing through efforts around the fightfor15 and Amendment 4 (restoration of voting rights for felons) on campus. She joins us from her previous position at Central Florida Jobs with Justice as the Climate Digital and Civic Engagement Associate. Jillian was key in the development of the Central Florida Climate Action, a frontline strategic alliance building a climate movement in Central Florida rooted in justice and led by those most directly impacted by the Climate Crisis.
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Karla Chavez, Organizer, karla@cojwj.org:
Karla Chavez, identifies as Mexican American, registered voter and single mom of one. She grew up all over the Denver Metro area and Aurora. She is a graduate from Montbello High School during it's phase out and graduated from the Denver School of Massage Therapy. Karla loves meeting new people, reconnecting with old friends and creating long-lasting relationships.
She joins Colorado Jobs with Justice with 4 years of organizing with Mi Familia Vota and is thankful to MFV for molding her into an organizer. In the four short years she had with MFV she went from a part time canvasser collecting Voter Registrations to State Coordinator. Karla helped collect about 20, 000 Voter Registrations. This work was mostly from being able to connect with high schools and students. She has attended various trainings, ranging from My City Academy to how to become a leader (women who lead) both with the City of Denver.
Karla Chavez, identifies as Mexican American, registered voter and single mom of one. She grew up all over the Denver Metro area and Aurora. She is a graduate from Montbello High School during it's phase out and graduated from the Denver School of Massage Therapy. Karla loves meeting new people, reconnecting with old friends and creating long-lasting relationships.
She joins Colorado Jobs with Justice with 4 years of organizing with Mi Familia Vota and is thankful to MFV for molding her into an organizer. In the four short years she had with MFV she went from a part time canvasser collecting Voter Registrations to State Coordinator. Karla helped collect about 20, 000 Voter Registrations. This work was mostly from being able to connect with high schools and students. She has attended various trainings, ranging from My City Academy to how to become a leader (women who lead) both with the City of Denver.
Pronouns: He/Him/El
Alexis Valeriano Hernandez, Organizer, alexis@cojwj.org:
Born in Mexico, Alexis immigrated to the U.S. at the age of six and hasn’t left this country since. He made major moves in 2020: became a first-generation college graduate amidst a full-fledged pandemic, earning a political science degree; moved to Denver, CO, after living in MN for 15 years straight; and left his Aspen Institute operations position to work on immigrant rights full-time. Alexis has union organizing, local political campaigning, and affordable housing advocacy experience. Before coming to us, Alexis was the Denver Fellow with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, where he strengthened his organizing abilities and in-depth knowledge of immigrant rights. On his days off, you might find him at a poetry open mic event, hunting for a slice of tres leches cake at local panaderias, or hanging out with friends and family.
Born in Mexico, Alexis immigrated to the U.S. at the age of six and hasn’t left this country since. He made major moves in 2020: became a first-generation college graduate amidst a full-fledged pandemic, earning a political science degree; moved to Denver, CO, after living in MN for 15 years straight; and left his Aspen Institute operations position to work on immigrant rights full-time. Alexis has union organizing, local political campaigning, and affordable housing advocacy experience. Before coming to us, Alexis was the Denver Fellow with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, where he strengthened his organizing abilities and in-depth knowledge of immigrant rights. On his days off, you might find him at a poetry open mic event, hunting for a slice of tres leches cake at local panaderias, or hanging out with friends and family.
Pronouns: He/She/They
Nichole Foster, Organizer, nichole@cojwj.org:
Nichole Foster’s ancestors are from what is now known as the state of Colorado. After the Land was taken from them, they were forced onto a reservation in the Southwest part of the state to Towaoc, CO. This is where Nichole originates from, Nichole is from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and was raised by her mother, who is from the Dine’ People. He is the oldest of five siblings, all of whom they are very proud of. Nichole is married to her partner as of 2022, who is an active organizer for Indigenous people and is a member of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
Nichole's background and experiences are very broad and detailed. Before they found themselves working for two separate Unions here in Denver, they worked a number of years for her tribe. Nichole worked with tribal membership through our recreation center and Human Resources department, with some of her most important work directing a youth shelter, where she worked with parents and youth to gain the tools needed to maintain their family units.
Later on, Nichole spent some years in college but found their calling after she finished trade school in Tulsa, OK. Nichole moved to Denver in 2016, where she trained and worked for the Boilermaker & Carpenter Locals. As Nichole continued to voice the struggles of her own people, she was also faced with experiencing many other negative encounters as a Queer Woman of Color. This detoured Nichole from continuing their journey as a trade worker. Nichole is excited to be able to join COJWJ and even more enthusiastic about helping create change in the building trades and advocate for the social issues BIPOC queer women face in the trades.
Nichole Foster’s ancestors are from what is now known as the state of Colorado. After the Land was taken from them, they were forced onto a reservation in the Southwest part of the state to Towaoc, CO. This is where Nichole originates from, Nichole is from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and was raised by her mother, who is from the Dine’ People. He is the oldest of five siblings, all of whom they are very proud of. Nichole is married to her partner as of 2022, who is an active organizer for Indigenous people and is a member of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
Nichole's background and experiences are very broad and detailed. Before they found themselves working for two separate Unions here in Denver, they worked a number of years for her tribe. Nichole worked with tribal membership through our recreation center and Human Resources department, with some of her most important work directing a youth shelter, where she worked with parents and youth to gain the tools needed to maintain their family units.
Later on, Nichole spent some years in college but found their calling after she finished trade school in Tulsa, OK. Nichole moved to Denver in 2016, where she trained and worked for the Boilermaker & Carpenter Locals. As Nichole continued to voice the struggles of her own people, she was also faced with experiencing many other negative encounters as a Queer Woman of Color. This detoured Nichole from continuing their journey as a trade worker. Nichole is excited to be able to join COJWJ and even more enthusiastic about helping create change in the building trades and advocate for the social issues BIPOC queer women face in the trades.
BOARD MEMBERS
Victor Galvan, Board Co-Chair
Victor Galvan was born is Chihuahua, Mexico and raised in Denver, Colorado. For the past 15 years Victor has helped shape immigration policy in the state of Colorado. Notable policies include ASSET, which provides instate tuition for undocumented students in Colorado, the expansion of the Colorado Road and Safety Act, giving more undocumented people access to licenses in Colorado and Virginia’s law which made it illegal for police to utilize ICE warrants to hold immigrants in custody for Immigration. Victor led the walk-outs in 2017 as the Trump administration tried and failed to end the DACA program championed by thousands of undocumented youth across the country and created through executive order under the Obama administration in 2012. He is currently working at Protégete as the Strategic Partnership Manager where he is building and strengthening networks and coalitions that will foster the development of Latinxs voices to bring diverse solutions to environmental justice and conservation movement.
Pronouns: He/Him/El
Victor Galvan was born is Chihuahua, Mexico and raised in Denver, Colorado. For the past 15 years Victor has helped shape immigration policy in the state of Colorado. Notable policies include ASSET, which provides instate tuition for undocumented students in Colorado, the expansion of the Colorado Road and Safety Act, giving more undocumented people access to licenses in Colorado and Virginia’s law which made it illegal for police to utilize ICE warrants to hold immigrants in custody for Immigration. Victor led the walk-outs in 2017 as the Trump administration tried and failed to end the DACA program championed by thousands of undocumented youth across the country and created through executive order under the Obama administration in 2012. He is currently working at Protégete as the Strategic Partnership Manager where he is building and strengthening networks and coalitions that will foster the development of Latinxs voices to bring diverse solutions to environmental justice and conservation movement.
Pronouns: He/Him/El
Siena Mann, Board Co-Chair
Siena grew up in Colorado and got involved in organizing through the Occupy and Student Power movements when she was a student at Haverford College. After working in the migrant justice movement in Mexico City, she moved back to Colorado in 2016 where she got involved in grassroots organizing in Colorado Springs to expand the Drivers Licenses for All program in Colorado and end police/ICE collaboration.
She was hired as the South Regional Organizer for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition in 2018 and now works as the Organizing and Campaign Manager, where she focuses on issues of privacy and surveillance, drivers licenses and federal immigration reform.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Siena grew up in Colorado and got involved in organizing through the Occupy and Student Power movements when she was a student at Haverford College. After working in the migrant justice movement in Mexico City, she moved back to Colorado in 2016 where she got involved in grassroots organizing in Colorado Springs to expand the Drivers Licenses for All program in Colorado and end police/ICE collaboration.
She was hired as the South Regional Organizer for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition in 2018 and now works as the Organizing and Campaign Manager, where she focuses on issues of privacy and surveillance, drivers licenses and federal immigration reform.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Vincent Cervantes, Treasurer
Vinnie Cervantes is the Director and founder of Denver Alliance for Street Health Response (DASHR), which works to create community-based responses to conflict and crisis. Through DASHR, Vinnie has helped to design, create, and launch transformative programs such as Denver's Support Team Assisted Response, Aurora Mobile Response Team, and Restorative Denver. Aside from DASHR, Vinnie has served as a former chair of the Colorado Poor People's Campaign and on several nonprofit boards. He has organized around issues of homelessness, criminal justice reform, education equity, and workers' rights. A lifelong Colorado resident, Vinnie graduated from MSU Denver in 2017. He was a student organizer on Auraria Campus, which included his involvement with Denver Student Labor Action Project at MSU Denver and CU Denver, which led him to join the board of Colorado Jobs With Justice in 2017.
Pronouns: He/Him/El
Vinnie Cervantes is the Director and founder of Denver Alliance for Street Health Response (DASHR), which works to create community-based responses to conflict and crisis. Through DASHR, Vinnie has helped to design, create, and launch transformative programs such as Denver's Support Team Assisted Response, Aurora Mobile Response Team, and Restorative Denver. Aside from DASHR, Vinnie has served as a former chair of the Colorado Poor People's Campaign and on several nonprofit boards. He has organized around issues of homelessness, criminal justice reform, education equity, and workers' rights. A lifelong Colorado resident, Vinnie graduated from MSU Denver in 2017. He was a student organizer on Auraria Campus, which included his involvement with Denver Student Labor Action Project at MSU Denver and CU Denver, which led him to join the board of Colorado Jobs With Justice in 2017.
Pronouns: He/Him/El
Br. Daniel Klawitter, OSL, Secretary
Daniel is an award-winning poet and a Brother in the Order of Saint Luke, an ecumenical religious community founded in 1946. He has a BA in Religious Studies from the College of Santa Fe in New Mexico and an M.Div with a justice and peace studies concentration from the Iliff School of Theology in Denver (where he currently works as an Admissions Counselor). Daniel brings 15 years of previous experience as both a labor and community organizer/activist having worked in the Philippines with migrant workers, in Jacksonville, FL with faith communities in the DART (Direct Action and Research Training) network, and in Denver, CO as a union rep for mental health care workers with SEIU Local 105. He was also the founder of the Interfaith Worker Justice Committee of Colorado in his role as Religious Outreach Organizer for 6 1/2 years with (FRESC) now United for a New Economy. Daniel is a union member of the Colorado branch of the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World).
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Daniel is an award-winning poet and a Brother in the Order of Saint Luke, an ecumenical religious community founded in 1946. He has a BA in Religious Studies from the College of Santa Fe in New Mexico and an M.Div with a justice and peace studies concentration from the Iliff School of Theology in Denver (where he currently works as an Admissions Counselor). Daniel brings 15 years of previous experience as both a labor and community organizer/activist having worked in the Philippines with migrant workers, in Jacksonville, FL with faith communities in the DART (Direct Action and Research Training) network, and in Denver, CO as a union rep for mental health care workers with SEIU Local 105. He was also the founder of the Interfaith Worker Justice Committee of Colorado in his role as Religious Outreach Organizer for 6 1/2 years with (FRESC) now United for a New Economy. Daniel is a union member of the Colorado branch of the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World).
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Candace Johnson
Before joining The Colorado Trust as the community partner for the Denver Metro Area, Candace was the organizing director at Colorado Jobs with Justice. She currently works for National Jobs with Justice.
Her background is in community organizing and advocacy. Candace is passionate about traveling, good food and spending time with good friends.
Pronouns: She/Her
Before joining The Colorado Trust as the community partner for the Denver Metro Area, Candace was the organizing director at Colorado Jobs with Justice. She currently works for National Jobs with Justice.
Her background is in community organizing and advocacy. Candace is passionate about traveling, good food and spending time with good friends.
Pronouns: She/Her
Salvador Hernandez
Born in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico in the outskirts of the Sierra Madre Occidental, Salvador Hernandez grew up with his 3 siblings and Parents. As a young boy he liked to play soccer and ride his bicycle with his friends. His mother brought him the Las Vegas, NV at the age of 15 in search of a better future. There, he volunteered a local campaigns to raise the awareness of Latinos in the electoral process. He then moved to the Centennial State on 2014 to help turnout latinos in the Midterm elections.
His musical taste is very diversified from genres such as Rock, Hip-Hop, Salsa, Banda, Corridos and Bachata. You might see him at the “Baile” dancing quebradita and at the Slipknot concert the next week. His favorite band of all time is “Molotov”. On his free time he likes to play basketball and watch Quentin Tarantino films. He is a proud DACA recipient and he is not afraid to say it. Favorite food is pinto beans.
Pronouns: He/Him/El
Born in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico in the outskirts of the Sierra Madre Occidental, Salvador Hernandez grew up with his 3 siblings and Parents. As a young boy he liked to play soccer and ride his bicycle with his friends. His mother brought him the Las Vegas, NV at the age of 15 in search of a better future. There, he volunteered a local campaigns to raise the awareness of Latinos in the electoral process. He then moved to the Centennial State on 2014 to help turnout latinos in the Midterm elections.
His musical taste is very diversified from genres such as Rock, Hip-Hop, Salsa, Banda, Corridos and Bachata. You might see him at the “Baile” dancing quebradita and at the Slipknot concert the next week. His favorite band of all time is “Molotov”. On his free time he likes to play basketball and watch Quentin Tarantino films. He is a proud DACA recipient and he is not afraid to say it. Favorite food is pinto beans.
Pronouns: He/Him/El
Contact the board: board@cojwj.org
All board members for Colorado Jobs with Justice are selected with the aim of broadening the set of political perspectives and backgrounds in labor and community organizations on the board.
All board members for Colorado Jobs with Justice are selected with the aim of broadening the set of political perspectives and backgrounds in labor and community organizations on the board.
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Colorado Jobs With Justice 1600 N Downing St. Suite 100 Denver, CO 80218 info@cojwj.org | www.cojwj.org |