Leigh Ellen Sontheimer, Arizona Programs Director and Operations ManageR

Leigh Ellen has extensive experience facilitating impact and growth for mission-driven, multicultural, forward-thinking entities. She played a key role in the successful management and growth of a diverse range of initiatives with the World Bank, the International Youth Foundation, and most recently, a boutique eco-resort and retreat center in Mexico called Playa Viva. A long-time resident of Washington DC, she now resides in Tucson, Arizona, and brings her love of the Sonoran Desert, its unique ecology, and multicultural character (Mexican, Native American, Anglo American) as well as her relationship-building skills and program development experience to Corazón Latino. 

She has a Masters Degree in International Relations and International Economics from the Johns Hopkins University and a Post-graduate Diploma in Children, Youth and Development from the International Institute of Social Studies. In addition to her formal education she is a yoga instructor, lifelong dancer, and lover of nature, movement, and wellness in body and mind.

Karina MartineZ,Chief Communications officer

Karina Martínez is a bilingual communications strategist with over a decade of experience overseeing social impact campaigns. Throughout her career, Karina has centered Latino experiences for local, state, and federal programs, as well as state-wide and national campaigns. Her work has earned her numerous awards including Reed Awards, Pollie Awards, and Napolitan Victory Awards. Karina has also been instrumental to the success of numerous government-led programs such as the 2020 Census, COVID-19 outreach, and more. She makes frequent appearances on Spanish language news media TV and radio programs, moderating panels, on podcasts, and has also been a speaker for rallies and other public events.

Karina attended UCLA and graduated magna cum laude. She also completed a Masters of Public Health program focused on behavioral science and health communications at San Diego State University.

Stacy whittle,senior technology advisor

Stacy Whittle is co-founder of Teatro del Corazón | Heart Theatre, DC's first fully hybrid production company and Front Page Live, a simple, skimmable website of viral news and action campaigns in Spanish and English.

She serves on the advisory boards of the Virtual World Society, an organization aimed at using emerging technology like VR, AR, and AI to make the world a better place and the Conrad Challenge. The Conrad Challenge is a purpose-driven innovation competition creating the next generation of entrepreneurs who will change the world .

Stacy spent much of her early career working in international development as Communications Director for SERVIR, a joint NASA/USAID project focused on climate change.

She was also a principal entrepreneur for ten years with the Gojibox, the world’s lightest in-flight entertainment system.

Stacy has worked and lived in dozens of countries and speaks Spanish and Arabic. She is the proud mother of two sons and an award-winning actor based in Washington, DC.