New Americans Community Advisory Committee

The New Americans Community Advisory Committee (NACAC) is an important committee for New American voices in Colorado. This committee is composed of refugee and immigrant leaders from across the state, with diverse ages, races, ethnicities, native tongues, gender/sexual orientation, and professional backgrounds. 

The committee has three core purposes:

1. Invite and collect feedback and experiences on key topics affecting immigrants and refugees across Colorado.

2. Review state-led programs and initiatives and make recommendations for improving immigrant inclusion and access.

3. Strengthen committee members' understanding of how state government works to build a statewide network of leaders who can help bridge between state government and communities ongoing

The NACAC is supported in their work by the Office of New Americans, the Colorado Refugee Services Program and Colorado State University's Office of Engagement and Extension. We welcome state partners with the committee to help the Polis Administration build a Colorado for all. 

Alan Muñoz Valenciano

B.A. Sociology with concentration in Criminal Justice, Community Engagement Advocate

Alejandra Ospina

Public Relations Specialist, Immigrant and Refugee Advocate

Araceli Calderon

Education and Parent Involvement Advocate

Brenda Acosta

B.S. Psychology, Business Navigator

Carolina Díaz Ovalle

Latino and Immigrant Community Advocate

Farduus Ahmed

Immigrant and Refugee Community Engagement Advocate

Houefa Akpamoli

Health Equity Manager for the Northeast Colorado Health Department

Lailey Hashem

Muslim Youth for Positive Impact Board member, Professional Interpreter for Dari and Pashto

Leida Karina Urrego

B.S. Psychology, M.A. in Psychopathology

Lilia Vierya

Immigrant and Refugee Community Advocate for a Non-profit in Morgan

 Luis Antezana

Founder and CEO at Juntos2College

Nadeen Ibrahim

Recipient of the Spring Institute Intercultural Champion Award and Council on American Islamic Relations Call to Service Award. B.S. in Public Health, M.A. Public Policy from the University of Oxford, England.

Melanin Armendariz

Colorado State University Student, Human Development and Family Studies with concentration in Early Childhood Professions and Minor in Spanish

Mohamed Mahad

Community College Instructor, Community Building Initiatives Organizer in Greeley and Fort Morgan

Nancy M. Díaz Escápite

Social Justice Advocate, and longtime Community Organizer for Rural Immigrants in Southern Colorado

Ndeye Ndao

International Relations, M.A. in Public Administration (Nonprofit Management and Leadership)

Ricardo Perez

Community Organizer and Leadership Development Trainer, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Hispanic Affairs Project (HAP)

Selma Hamid

Senior Finance Coordinator, International Rescue Committee

Tania Chairez

Founder and CEO of Convivir Colorado

Vera Idam Azuka

IT Technician/Network Administrator, Publisher, Writer

Read the Full Bios of the Committee Members and Administrative Staff Here