LABO

ABOUT US

About LABO

LABO provides leadership and development support in the following key areas: business, management,technology, financial, and individual professional development, in addition to social and cultural enrichment opportunities.

LABO members benefit from a great number of business growth opportunities such as, business-to business networking, branding and exposure, and educational opportunities.

Meet Our Board Members

The Latin American Business Organization (LABO) a 501c3 non-profit organization with headquarters in Worcester, Massachusetts. It is the only comprehensive and leading Latino business development organization in Central Massachusetts. Our vision is to be the go-to Latin business resource, advocacy, and community partner.

Elizabeth Cruz
LABO President
CEO – The Cruz Realty Group

Elizabeth Cruz is the Team Leader for The Cruz Realty Group, with over 20 years as a realtor she has helped 100’s Hispanic family become homeowners and investors. She owns and operates Cruz Control Property Management where she currently manages 26 units in Worcester County. She has a computer science degree and has helped & mentored girls to become involved in Science and Technology. She provided software engineer and project/portfolio manager services to Fortune 500 companies.

Elizabeth is always involved in the Hispanic community, served as a Board of Director at the YWCA & Girls Choice, is passionate about empowering girls and women in continuing their education, financial wellbeing and building wealth. Past director of ELLIT (EMC Latin Leadership Interest Team) Educational outreach for EMC/Dell and former VP of NAHREP Central Mass. Elizabeth Cruz is the founder and president of the Empowering Latina Leaders Affirmation Inc (ELLA).

Rosa Maria Salas is a distinguished professional with over 25 years of experience in the Mortgage and Real Estate Industry. She began her career at a non-profit organization, where she focused on educating clients about First-Time Homeownership and Foreclosure Prevention. Currently, she serves as the Director of the Community Loan Fund at Worcester Community Housing Resources (WCHR), where she oversees critical funding initiatives that support affordable housing and financial literacy programs.
 

In addition to her professional achievements, Rosa Maria is a dedicated community leader in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she has lived for 33 years. She is actively involved in several organizations, including Empowerinh Latina Leaders Affirmation , where she serves as treasurer, the  LLatin American Business Organization and Adelante Worcester, where she advocates for the Latino community and empowers Latina leaders.

Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and raised in New York City, Rosa Maria is proud of her Puerto Rican heritage and passionate about advocating for the rights and advancement of marginalized communities. Her dedication to community service and empowerment has made her a respected and influential leader.

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Rosa Maria Torres-Salas (ELLA)
Secretary
Director,  Community Loan Fund
Worcester Community Housing Resources
Karyn Sanchez, Esq.
Treasurer
Lead Attorney – Mass Tax Corp.

Karyn Sanchez, Esq., is a Tax Attorney who has worked as an attorney in Massachusetts for the last 5 years. Attorney Sanchez represents clients against the Internal Revenue Service and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. She also provides tax advice to clients on which business entities are available and which structure may be the best type for a client’s specific needs.She works with clients to incorporate their businesses, create their bylaws and to modify any existing bylaws. She also provides financial income certification to provide her clients with the backing needed to secure financing.

Ms. Sanchez is currently a member in good standing of the Massachusetts and New York Bars. She graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 2016 with her Juris Doctorate (JD) and she graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from Hunter College in New York City. Ms. Sanchez enjoys serving her fellow Latino community and the Worcester residents. She resides in Worcester and is invested in her work and her community.

Peter Dunn was appointed Chief Development Officer for the City of Worcester in 2020 and has served the City for last 11 years in various capacities. 

As Chief Development Officer, he leads the divisions of Business Development, Housing Development, Neighborhood Development, Workforce Development, Planning & Regulatory Services, and Special Projects. 

Peter also serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the Worcester Redevelopment Authority. Peter received his undergraduate degree from Roger Williams University and his MBA from Babson College.

Peter Dunn
Chief Development Officer

Executive Office of Economic Development, City of Worcester 

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Edgar Luna
Public Relations
Business Development Manager
City of Worcester Executive Office of Economic Department
 
Business Development Manager, city of Worcester Executive Office of Economic Department. Oversee the City of Worcester Film Commission.
 
In 2023 the Worcester Film Commission was nominated by the Movie Black Panther II – Wakanda Forever, for the LMGI (Location Managers Guild International), Outstanding Film Commission category.

Member of the Worcester Historical Museum Board of Trustees, Vice President. Member of the Woosox Wepa Advisory Committee

Founding Member of ABRAM (American Brazilian Association of Massachusetts), Vice President.

LABO Board Member. Chairman of the Nominating Committee & Chairman of the International Business Committee.

Jessica Sarita is a dedicated and results-driven office professional with a strong background in management and organizational skills. She excels in project planning, analytical reporting, and handling confidential matters. Fluent in English and Spanish, with proficiency in Portuguese and American Sign Language, Jessica is known for her meticulous attention to detail, exceptional communication abilities, and effective team leadership. She brings a strong work ethic and a passion for continuous learning to her role, ensuring responsiveness and accuracy in every task she undertakes.

Currently, as the Central & Western Regional Manager for the ABI/MFP Waiver Unit at the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Jessica oversees multiple teams and collaborates with various state programs to improve community services. Her commitment to quality, efficiency, and teamwork enables her to effectively manage complex projects and support her colleagues and clients in achieving their goals.

Jessica Sarita (Velez)
Membership Director
Owner of Sara’s Auto Sales
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Tania Medina
Event Director
AVP Community Development Manager / Mortgage Loan Originator
UNIBANK

Tania Medina is an Assistant Vice President – Community Development Manager and Mortgage Loan Originator with UniBank. With a BA in Business Administration from her native Ecuador and over 25 years of experience in the banking and financial services Tania brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her roles.

Passionate about home ownership, financial literacy and community involvement, Tania is dedicated to fostering financial empowerment and education within the community. Being bilingual she effectively serves a diverse clientele, bridging communication gaps and providing inclusive services.Her leadership and customer-centric approach have earned her recognition and respect among peers and clients alike.

Tania serves in numerous boards, committees, and volunteer groups with different organizations in the Worcester area. Her primary focus is on providing information and resources to underserve communities, ensuring they have access to the financial tools and knowledge necessary for economic stability and growth.

Yolanda Ramos is a seasoned consultant in leadership, early childhood and family support and she is a clinical mental health provider, specializing in children’s behavior and trauma. Armed with dual master’s degrees in Psychology and Mental Health Counseling, she brings over a decade of dedicated expertise to her profession. Throughout her career, Yolanda has been passionately committed to facilitating effective interventions that empower children and families to achieve developmental, behavioral, and emotional milestones.Yolanda champions prenatal and postnatal support, breastfeeding, universal home visiting, early developmental screening, family support, advocacy, and high-quality, accessible childcare. She is deeply invested in driving high-impact infrastructure change within the early childhood system, advocating for collaborative approaches to address mental health, achievement gaps, and social justice issues.

With profound respect for her Latinx community, Yolanda provides mental health services, parenting programs, mental health education, and trauma intervention in both Spanish and English. Currently serving as a consultant with Together for Kids Coalition, Worcester State University, and the city of Worcester, she also leads the UHAI Health social-emotional youth program and facilitates postpartum peer groups for Wellstorm Inc.Yolanda’s extensive involvement includes participation in the Strategy for Children, Advocacy program, the Massachusetts Early Childhood Founder Collaborative Community Advisory Committee, and the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Advisory Board. She has served on the Central Mass Conference for Women’s board, is a current member of ELLA Empowering Latina Leaders Affirmation Member, co-host the Latin American Business Organization (LABO) radio show, while also serving on the board and is part of the Woosox Wepa Community Advisory Board.

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Yolanda Ramos, MA, MEd
Event Co-Director
Mental health Provider and Consultant. 
David T
Marketing Director
Founder – Ezbusy.ai
Director of Marketing – LABO

David Echavarria is the founder of EzBusy.ai, a digital innovation company that specializes in creating world-class websites and leveraging AI and automation to help companies significantly increase their operational efficiency.

With a strong background in technology and business, David has successfully led numerous projects that enhance operational workflows and drive growth for businesses across multiple industries.

As the Director of Marketing of the board of directors for Labo, David brings his expertise in digital transformation and strategic planning to support the organization’s mission and goals.

Meet Our staff

Irma Bissonnette
Membership & Program Administrator