About Us

Our History

Latino Hispanic Professional Association (LHPA) was founded in 2007 by founders Manuel Valentin, Yolanda Perez-Rivera, Camille Bigles-Quirin & Dr. Hector Ortíz, to offer members professional development and networking opportunities in the greater Harrisburg area for Latino/Hispanic professionals.

Our Mission

LHPA is a non-profit organization 501 (C) (6) in Central Pennsylvania which provides members with the opportunity to “Educate, Empower and Connect” to promote professional and personal development, to exchange resourceful ideas and to increase social and cultural consciousness, to enhance our community.”

Our Future

LHPA is looking to build a solid team of board members to ensure its sustainability, reinforce organization identity, and become a stronger partner with other professional organizations.

LHPA Board of Directors 2023

Marisol Barber - President

She has 20+ years of retail and mortgage banking experience. Marisol has been involved in the community for many years and is currently a part of two organizations. She is a committee member for the Bubbler Foundation in Boiling Springs, PA, Board Member for the Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce, Rotarian member of Sunrise Rotary Club of Carlisle and Executive Board Member of the Partnership for Better Health. As a Puerto Rican/American, Marisol was raised by two Puerto Rican parents who worked very hard to give their daughters many opportunities. She is excited to be a part of the LHPA Board to help create and support professional development within the Latino and Hispanic Communities.

Jennie Jenkins - Vice-President

Ana Patricia Aguilera - 2nd Vice-President

She is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State Harrisburg. She earned her doctorate in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education. Dr. Aguilera holds an M.S. in Psychology and completed a residency in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Vacant - Secretary

Amy Lizza - Co-Secretary

Susan Delgado - Treasurer

Vacant - Co-Treasurer

Raffy R. Luquis - Board Member

He is a Professor of Biobehavioral Health in the School of Behavioral Sciences and Education at Penn State Harrisburg. Dr. Luquis's areas of expertise included health promotion, cultural competency, and human sexuality; he has several publications and conducted numerous presentations in these areas.

Librada Vagnozzi - Board Member

Yolanda Perez-Rivera - Founding Member

Mrs. Perez-Rivera is a Professor and Counselor Emeritus of the Harrisburg Area Community College. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education, a Master's Degree in Counseling from the University of Puerto Rico. Her focus of the study was psychology, human behavior, education cultural diversity, value systems of different cultures and peoples, etc. In her tenure at HACC Yolanda worked extensively with multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-lingual students as well as with limited English proficient students. She is one of the co-founders of LHPA.

Hector Ortiz - Founding Member

He holds a Doctorate in international relations, a Master’s degree in diplomacy, and Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, and an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Service from Central Penn College in 2011. Dr. Ortiz is the founder and former President of Estamos Unidos de Pennsylvania; co-founder and President of the Latino/Hispanic Professional Association; co-founder and former charter President of the Latino Hispanic American Community Center