Leadership Team
Mercedes Gonzalez
Steering committee
Mercedes has lived in the Swansea neighborhood for 9 years and is deeply dedicated to improving her community’s access to healthy, fresh food. As a La Fresca Steering Committee member, she works alongside others to support small businesses with resources and guidance through the help of network navigators. Her vision is to see more family-owned businesses thrive, community members become more involved, and local markets providing fresh, affordable food for all.
Carol Briggs
Steering committee
Carol has lived in the Swansea neighborhood for 14 years and values the strong sense of community found in local spaces like the Valdez-Perry Library and nearby recreation centers. As a La Fresca Steering Committee member, she helps guide the vision of building a thriving, equitable food economy in her neighborhood. Carol is passionate about creating affordable, family-centered communities where local businesses and residents can grow and support one another.
Shaila
Steering committee
Shaila has lived in the Elyria-Swansea neighborhood for about 19 years after moving from Mississippi and loves the sense of home and community it brings. As La Fresca’s Event Lead, she helps organize gatherings and activities that bring neighbors together to celebrate local food and culture. Shaila envisions a future where more families get involved with La Fresca, small businesses continue to grow, and the community has greater access to fresh, affordable, and healthy foods surrounded by more greenery and flowers.
Raymunda Carreon
Steering committee
Raymunda has lived in the Swansea and Elyria neighborhoods for over 26 years, where she is known for her generosity and deep commitment to community service. As a member of La Fresca’s Steering Committee, she helps promote local businesses and supports her neighbors through acts of giving and connection. Her vision is to see La Fresca grow into a thriving, organized network that uplifts local stores and creates lasting opportunities for her community.
Network Navigators
Jose Bonilla
Network Navigator
Jose has been part of the Globeville, Elyria, and Swansea community for over 20 years and continues to call the neighborhood home. As a Network Navigator with La Fresca, he is dedicated to strengthening the local economy and fostering meaningful connections among the businesses within the network. His vision is for La Fresca to grow into a larger, well-resourced organization capable of supporting the community at a deeper level and helping stabilize and empower the small businesses it serves.
Enrique Moreno-Loaiza
Network Navigator
Enrique has been connected to the Globeville, Elyria, and Swansea community for 18 years and currently lives in Aurora. As a Network Navigator with La Fresca, he works to strengthen both the local economy and the sense of community. His vision is to see La Fresca grow into a larger organization with more resources and community involvement to help those in need.
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