Our Team

Maria Fernandez

Executive Director

Maria Fernandez is the Founder and Executive Director of ELLA and ELLA Adelante, Chicana-led social justice organizations that train mujeres to become decision-making leaders in our communities. She was born and raised in the Yakima Valley. Her love for the Lower Yakima Valley is why she aggressively works to level the playing field and dismantle the oppressive systems that continue to exploit and harm Latin@ families and our environment.

Maria holds an Associates in General Arts, an Associates in Business, a Bachelor’s in Business Management, and Master’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Project Management. Her latest certification came from the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business for the Ascend Seattle Business Growth Collaborative.

In Maria’s early college years as a Mechista, with other strong organizers, helped organize the win and implementation of a Chican@ Studies program at Yakima Valley College. She was the first Executive Director to online stream the esteemed Radio KDNA for listeners in any part of the world. She helped create and launch Good Fruit Grower en Español, the first national Spanish-language tree-fruit horticulture and safety periodical targeted to the largest and most important stakeholder in the agricultural industry, Latin@ farmworkers.

Maria’s work in ELLA Adelante prioritizes community engagement and mobilization. ELLA Adelante demystifies the role of politics and government in our practical everyday lives to compel community to act towards building collective power to change the economic, educational, environmental, and political landscape within our own communities.

Vicky Frausto

Director of Operations

Vicky Frausto was born and raised in Sunnyside, WA. She is a first-generation daughter of Mexican immigrants and is the youngest of 6 siblings. Her humble upbringing set the foundation for her bold passion for advocacy work throughout her career.

She graduated double Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, American Ethnic Studies, and a minor in Diversity from the University of Washington, and a Master’s in Public Administration and Governance from Seattle University. Vicky worked for over 5 years at the University of Washington Human Resources: Labor Relations, Professional Organizational Development and now as a Development of Operations for Empowering Latinas Leadership and Action (ELLA) advocating for underserved communities across the Yakima Valley.

She carries a deep commitment to equity and justice bringing this passion to her hometown as the first Latina elected to Sunnyside City Council District 3. Her heart is in advocacy work for: migrant families, youth, farmworkers, education, and environmental justice- until the day her community lives out complete liberation.

Mateo Fernandez

Communications and Marketing Coordinator

Hello, my name is Mateo Fernandez. I was born and raised in Yakima, Washington, and am a proud graduate of West Valley High School and attended Yakima Valley College.

I serve as the Communications and Marketing Coordinator for ELLA (Empowering Latina Leadership and Action) and ELLA Adelante. I have been involved with both organizations since their inception. I believe deeply in the values that guide our work — especially our commitment to building power and leadership within our communities.

In my role, I’m responsible for communications strategy, content design, production of our social media posts and maintenance of our websites. I especially enjoy the interaction with our audience, and the opportunity to create messaging that reflects and uplifts the voices of those we serve.

When I’m not working, you can usually find me with friends and family, planning my next trip, or in the front row at a concert.

Maricela Santana-Walle

Environmental Justice Coordinator

Deanna Gutierrez

Bookkeeper / Administrative Assistant

Deanna Gutierrez serves as the Bookkeeper and Administrative Assistant at ELLA and ELLA Adelante, where she brings structure, strategy, and heart to the organization’s daily operations. She plays a vital role in maintaining transparent, community-centered systems that support the long-term sustainability of both organizations.

Born and raised in Sunnyside, WA, Deanna is a first-generation daughter of Mexican immigrants and the eldest of her family. She earned her associate’s degree in business administration and began her career in administrative work at a young age—quickly advancing into leadership roles across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Her background in bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial systems management is complemented by her credentials as a QuickBooks ProAdvisor and registered tax preparer.

At ELLA, Deanna leads financial processes, supports grant compliance, and contributes to internal communications and operations. She is known for her solution-oriented mindset, collaborative spirit, and unwavering dedication to equity-driven work. Her lived experience as a Latina, mother, and lifelong Sunnyside resident deeply informs her approach, grounding her work in care, integrity, and purpose.
Outside of her role, Deanna enjoys hiking, painting, writing—and exploring new cultures through food. A proud foodie, she finds joy and connection in every dish and destination.