Staff

Martha Castillo is a lifelong advocate for educational equity and community empowerment, whose leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to giving back. As the daughter of Mexican immigrant parents and a proud first-generation college graduate, Martha understands the barriers many students and families face when navigating the education system—and she has dedicated her career to breaking them down.

Her journey of service began just after high school, when she volunteered as a youth mentor for justice-involved youth. She later served as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), supporting children in the foster care system. These early experiences ignited a passion for community advocacy that continues to shape her leadership today.

Martha launched her career as a special education teacher in The Bronx before returning to Los Angeles as a college readiness counselor, helping students from underserved communities successfully transition from high school to higher education. Throughout her career, she has championed culturally responsive education, first-gen student support, and family engagement as critical levers for equity.

She brings over a decade of experience to her role as Executive Director of Leaders in Training (LIT), including serving as a Learning Success Coach at ASU Prep Digital and as a virtual instructor with the UCLA Extension College Counseling Certificate Program. Her approach is deeply personal—shaped by her own experience navigating community college with an undiagnosed learning disability and persisting through the education system as a Latina, first-generation student.

Martha holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the University of La Verne, a master’s in Education from The City College of New York, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Arizona. Her doctoral research explored the power of cultural capital and family motivation in Latina college student persistence.

Now based in Las Vegas, she is deeply committed to uplifting youth in historically underserved communities across the East Side and beyond. As Executive Director, Martha leads LIT with a bold vision to expand college access, deepen community partnerships, and cultivate the next generation of equity-minded leaders. She embodies LIT’s mission to develop leaders who rise up and give back to the communities they come from.

​Communication can be relayed at [email protected]

​Monica Elenes serves as the Assistant Director of High School Programs at LIT. Born in Long Beach, CA and raised in Seattle, WA, Elenes has been highly engaged in advocacy as it pertains to equitable education, art education, social justice, and social emotional learning. Elenes obtained her BA in Communication Studies from Gonzaga University. She is currently studying at UNLV to receive her M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction. 

Elenes is a proud product of the phrase, it takes a village to raise a child. Elenes was supported to become a leader, mentor, and artist by a numerous amount of nonprofits in Seattle - Arts Corps, Youth Speaks Seattle, The Residency, OneWorld Now!, and Totem Star. The work of non-profit organizations, especially those who have an emphasis on youth development is not only a passion for Elenes, but a lifestyle. 

Communication can be relayed at [email protected] and/or 702.449.9005

Miriam Gomez is a proud first-generation Latina student whose dream is to become a child psychologist. Being the only child of 5 born in Mexico, her parents strived to give her the same education as her brothers and sisters in the United States. She graduated from Las Vegas High School in 2018 and now attends Nevada State College as a Psychology major with a minor in Counseling. Miriam works part-time at LIT as an Operations Manager and is a Cohort 3 member. Se habla español.

Communication will be relayed through [email protected]​. 
Phone number: (702)-449-0703

Alejandra Ceja is a proud first-generation Latina graduate from the University of Las Vegas-Nevada. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a Minor in Business Administration and plans to attend law school and dreams of becoming a lawyer. Being the oldest daughter of two immigrant parents, she has pushed herself to break generational barriers and has focused on committing her time to giving back to the community by being an active member. She understands the importance of achieving educational goals and hopes to use her background as a first-gen to continue helping the youth. Alejandra works full-time at LIT as an Program and Events Manager and is also a Cohort 4 member. Se habla español.

Communication will be relayed through [email protected]​. 
Phone number: (702)-449-0703​

​Sara Lopez graduated in 2024 from Cristo Rey St. Viator College Preparatory High School that provided her an internship at Leaders In Training. Sara has worked as an intern for around three years until the Summer of 2024 when she was hired as a Summer Assistant, then transitioned to being a Program Assistant. Sara, being a first-generation college student and having first-hand experience of college applications and dealing with the stress of growing up, finds value in what Leaders In Training provides for its students. She believes the impact LIT has is life changing, and can form the foundation for a successful future.

Sara is attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) for Comprehensive Medical Imaging and was born and raised in Las Vegas. She hopes to support students and help as much as possible, since the transition into adulthood is hard and support from peers is essential.

Communication can be relayed at [email protected]