Our Team

Meet the Team

1

ALMA BOWEN

Founder/Executive Director

ALMA BOWEN

Alma Bowen is a life-long Sonoma County resident with deep ties to the community.  She is the founder & Executive Director of Nuestra Comunidad (NC), a Sonoma County based non-profit focused on disaster preparedness, 911 emergency services education, and health & wellness for the entire community with an emphasis on under-served populations including the elderly, LatinX community and veterans.

Prior to starting NC, Alma served Sonoma County for 18 years as a highly decorated 911 emergency services dispatcher. Alma worked the night of the 2017 Tubbs fires with distinction and has first-hand knowledge of how disaster preparedness can make the difference between life and loss.  Her deep concern for our community and direct experience as a first responder propels her passion to promote & teach the importance of disaster preparedness for all.

In addition to her work with the Sonoma County Fair Board of Directors, Alma is the Preparedness Committee Chair with Sonoma County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), a collaborative of local organizations dedicated in helping the community prepare for and respond to disasters. In her spare time Alma enjoys spending time with her family – including her husband, four children, and dog named Meelo, participating in Zumba workouts, and binge-watching true crime docuseries.

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2

DARNELL BOWEN

Cofounder/ Administrative Director

DARNELL BOWEN

Darnell Bowen is co-founder Nuestra Comunidad (NC) and serves as the nonprofit’s Administrative Director.  In this role his responsibilities include finance, accounting, grant management, human resources, and program data reporting.  He is a long-time Sonoma County resident and has assisted with many local community-focused projects.  Outside of NC Darnell has either served or is currently serving as a member of the board of directors for various Sonoma County public benefit organizations.

Darnell holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Arizona. Prior to his full-time transition into community service he worked in corporate finance & accounting, with increasing responsibility for large Fortune 500 companies to smaller venture backed start-ups. In his leisure time he enjoys swimming, running, cycling, and gardening.

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3

GRIS ALONSO-SOTO

Community Engagement & Outreach Manager

GRIS ALONSO-SOTO

Gris Alonso Soto is the Community Engagement & Outreach Manager at NC “Nuestra Comunidad.” With a background in Social Behavioral Science (AA), Early Child Education (AS-T), Dietetic Technician (AS), Child Development Teacher, and well-known ZUMBA instructor.  

Gris has been a part of our local community for over 30 years and has experienced the chaos, uncertainty, and devastation during a disaster firsthand. In each of those emergencies she has adapted and sought out resources to ensure the safety of herself, her family and community. Gris’ core values and our mission align with NC “Nuestra Comunidad” which has made her integration seamless. She is passionate about helping those who are most vulnerable and underserved, assisting those with language accessibility obstacles, youth empowerment, social justice, fitness, and wellbeing.

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4

Nicole Orozco Figueroa

Community Engagement & Outreach Assistant

NICOLE OROZCO FIGUEROA

Nicole was born in Healdsburg and has lived in Cloverdale her entire life. She is a first-generation college student currently studying a major degree in Kinesiology at Sonoma State University. Nicole has experience in the medical field as a CNA and has completed prerequisites for the nursing program. Nicole is knowledgeable in health, nutrition, physical activity (human movement), and social justice. She is trustworthy, compassionate, dedicated, and a team player. Nicole’s core values align with NC and is highly motivated to learn new skills that will help her make a bigger impact in her community. Nicole’s goal is to find ways to help minorities, underserved and the most vulnerable populations.

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5

Melissa Hernandez Nieto

Community Engagement & Outreach Assistant

MELISSA HERNANDEZ NIETO

Melissa is a responsible and hardworking individual with previous experience working in the foster care system, COVID response, and as a Community Health Worker. She is passionate about working with underserved communities and improving equity in Sonoma County. She is a psychology major at SRJC and hopes to continue her education in the mental health field with a focus on youth and the Latinx community. She is native to the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, where she lived until the age of twelve, when she and her family moved to Sonoma County. In her free time, Melissa enjoys spending time with friends and family, going on hikes, and learning to cook traditional family dishes.

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CONSULTANTS

Lila Mack headshot

Lila Mack

Administrative/Writing Consultant

Lila Mack

Lila is a junior at Stanford University studying Public Policy and Economics. She is passionate about increasing access to opportunities across income levels, and is particularly motivated to help find ways for the public and nonprofit sectors to better meet the needs of Latinx communities. She has worked with several Latinx-serving organizations in the Bay Area, and believes in the value of building partnerships and dialogue between researchers, policymakers, and community-based actors in order to better understand inequities and identify and implement effective solutions.

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New Project (2)

JULIE BURNS

Translation and Language Services Consultant

JULIE BURNS

Julie is a culturally competent professional with bicultural and bilingual background who specializes in: Spanish interpretation; Spanish translation and editing of documents; audio / video recording translation and transcription; interpreter training and continuing education; and cultural competency training

She is a Certified Spanish-English Interpreter, Translator, and Trainer with over 25 years of experience

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