Board Of Directors
Juan Saldaña
Since 2020
President
Advising Specialist, Chemeketa Community College
Juan Saldaña, son of immigrant farmworkers, moved frequently among migrant camps in California. He settled in Salem, Oregon, after high school, starting his career at OCDC.
Graduating from Western Oregon University in Psychology and Organizational Leadership, he mentors college-bound youth in CCC’s CAMP, TRIO, and HECC programs, advocating for educational equity.
Alejandra Rodríguez
Since 2025
Secretary
Local Business Owner
Alejandra, originally from Veracruz, Mexico, migrated to the U.S. nearly 30 years ago. She has been a strong advocate for students with disabilities and those from migrant backgrounds, working to promote equal educational opportunities. During her two years with the Formando Familias Fuertes department, she supported families in building stronger connections through education and strongly believes in both traditional and non-traditional education pathways. In 2014, she opened her own business and continues to empower other Latinos to pursue entrepreneurship and educational growth.
Ronnie (RJ) Hampton
Since 2021
Board Treasurer
Ronnie (RJ) Hampton, MAMS
Unmanned Autonomous Systems, Drone and Robotic Technology Instructor for Salem Keizer School District, Vice-President of Salem Keizer NAACP
RJ holds a Master’s in Applied Mathematics and has a diverse career in military and business engineering, including as ORACLE’s Lead Developer. Transitioning to teaching in 2015, he now leads programs in Engineering and Robotics, actively supports community causes, and serves as Vice-President of the NAACP.
Chris Brantley
Since 2017
Board Member
Retired Teacher and Administrator
Chris taught high school biology and computer programming for 13 years before serving as a middle school administrator for 17 years in Salem-Keizer and North Santiam School Districts. Post-retirement, he’s held roles such as Executive Secretary of OMLA, Technology Trainer for COSA’s program, and adjunct instructor at PSU and Willamette University. Chris advocates for students who struggle in traditional academic settings, promoting real-world learning experiences for school success.
Pam Wojcik
Since 2020
Director
Retired English as a Second Language Teacher
Pam taught elementary school for 50 years, primarily in Woodburn, and later as a substitute in Salem-Keizer and Independence.
Fluent in five languages with a Master’s in Linguistics, she’s volunteered in bilingual classrooms and as a SMART Reader, passionate about children’s education, especially for non-English speakers.
Laura León-Cipriano
Since 2025
Program Director
HEP/Spanish GED/Interim Polk Center Director Chemeketa Community College
Laura currently works at Chemeketa Community College in Woodburn, supporting migrant and seasonal farmworker families through the High School Equivalency Program (HEP). She holds a Master’s in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor’s in Social Science and Spanish. Laura has also volunteered with other Alianza Poder organizations, including FHDC. She is passionate about supporting families and ensuring all children have access to a strong educational foundation.
Oslvaldo Avila
Since 2025
Member
A son of Mexican Immigrants, he was born in Idaho and raised in Independence, Osvaldo works in higher education and brings over 22 years of experience collaborating with school districts, community organizations, state agencies, and businesses. He served on the Salem-Keizer School Board for District 1 from 2021–2023 and continues his education advocacy through multiple Student Success Plan advisory groups. A parent of two, Osvaldo is eager to continue supporting families through SKCE, an organization whose mission and values strongly align with his own.
Elisa Andrade
Since 2025
Director
Elisa has been a long-time volunteer with SKCE, giving her a strong understanding of the organization’s mission and programs. Raised in Silverton, Oregon, Elisa brings over 22 years of nonprofit experience, including fundraising, event planning, and popular education. She has served on boards for more than 15 years and was introduced to SKCE’s work through her mother. Elisa has two children in the Salem-Keizer school district and is honored to support SKCE’s important work as a board member.
Carmen Franklin
Since 2025
Member
Local Business Owner
Originally from El Salvador, Carmen is the owner of Franklin-Martinez Bookkeeping & Consulting, LLC. Carmen works with small and medium-sized businesses to strengthen financial systems, improve financial understanding, and support informed decision-making. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, hiking, gardening, and learning about leadership, business, and personal growth.
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