About Our Team

Elena Rios, MD, MSPH, FACP | President and CEO

Jeanne Duvall | CFO: Jeanne Duvall completed her Bachelor of Science in Accounting at American University. Jeanne has been the longest-standing staff member at NHMA, serving as NHMA’s head accountant for the last 12 years. Jeanne is passionate about serving Hispanic and Latino physicians as well as underserved communities.  

    • Fun fact: Jeanne is a DC native!
Wanda Salcedo | Executive Assistant: Wanda joined the NHMA team in 2018 as the Executive Assistant to Dr. Rios and serves as operations support to the NHMA staff. Wanda has over 6 years of non-profit experience and over 10 years of management and customer support. As a proud Latina of Colombian and Dominican heritage, Wanda was drawn to NHMA and its mission to empower Hispanic populations. Wanda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).
    • Fun Fact: Wanda is a member of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., the first Latina Sorority in the nation. Wanda has taken many roles within the organization and continues to remain active through many of the sororities committees.    
Yazmin Alfonso, MS | Programs Director: Yazmin has over 9 years of non-profit experience specializing in program/project management, community engagement, strategic partnerships, and in running grassroots local campaigns. Yazmin's passion is mission-driven work that creates a positive change, making a difference in the lives of the people she serves. As a Puerto Rican, Yazmin is thrilled to join NHMA leading its Programs and Communications staff forward to directly impact the Hispanic Community while providing the NHMA members and medical professionals with support, resources, and new opportunities to help better serve their Hispanic patients.  Yazmin holds an MS in Communications and BA in Communications from the University of Cincinnati.

    • Fun Fact: Yazmin has been to Disney World over 500 times and has been an annual pass holder since 5 years old.

Vincent Gearity | Program Manager: Vincent has a background in Community Health Education and Business. He completed his BS in Health Science in May 2020 and has been with NHMA since. He was born and raised in Toms River, New Jersey. 
    • Fun Fact: In first grade, Vincent changed his name to “Vito” to stand out from all of the other ‘Vincent’s” in his family.
Ariel Brengle, MPH | Program, Chapters, and Membership Coordinator: Ariel holds a Bachelors in Science in Health Administration and a Masters in Public Health with a focus on Global Health. She is thrilled at any opportunity to uplift those who are marginalized in her personal and professional life. Ariel values cultivating trusting and meaningful relationships, which she thinks is the foundation of all impactful change.

    • Fun Fact: Ariel loves to participate in activities that are good for the planet! She has a garden, participates in composting, and uses reusable items whenever possible. Environmental health was one of her favorite classes in grad school!

Sophie Sibel | NHMA Program Coordinator: Sophie holds a BA in History from Franklin and Marshall College. She has a background in marketing, operations, and government affairs. Sophie is from Baltimore, MD, and has been living in DC since 2018. 
    • Fun fact: Sophie is an avid biker and can be spotted biking across the District!

Pablo Sapag | NHHF Program Coordinator 

Dylan Garcia | Communications Manager: Dylan Garcia joins NHMA with a background in new and traditional media, non-profits, as well as web development and fundraising. While earning a BA in Media Studies from the University of Virginia—graduating in 2019—he supported newsroom diversity research and was actively involved in political advocacy. He’s now passionate about fueling public health messaging that reflects and empowers the Hispanic communities we serve.

    • Fun Fact: In his senior year of high school, Dylan studied abroad in Spain for a short 2-week exchange program. 

Claire Cantrell | Communications Coordinator: Claire holds a BA in International Affairs with a concentration in Latin America from the George Washington University and is currently completing her MS in Geography. A Texas native, Claire has always had a close relationship with the Hispanic community and is passionate about finding new ways to make a difference in others' lives.

    • Fun Fact: Claire has taken college courses on four different continents! 

Cristina Garcia Ayala | Communications Associate: Originally from Puerto Rico, Cristina is currently pursuing a Master's in International Affairs at George Washington University after having graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor's in Political Science. They are passionate about advocating for the rights of underrepresented communities, especially when it comes to making essential services like healthcare more accessible.

    • Fun Fact: Cristina's favorite book is The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.

Jeanne Ponsa | NHMA Conference Sponsorship and Exhibitors Contact | (818) 429-7603