Leadership
Yolanda R. Cruz
President and Founder
Born in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico, Yolanda moved to Brooklyn, New York, at age 3, where she observed her father’s dedication despite significant health challenges. Inspired by her father's values, Yolanda pursued a degree in Business Administration at TCI, graduating with honors in 18 months despite financial constraints.
Her educational achievements kickstarted a distinguished 38-year career with Fortune 500 companies like KPMG, Paramount, Citigroup, Aventis, and others. Later, at Deloitte, she rose from Sr. Administrative Assistant to Sr. Program Specialist for the Hybrid Operate team, focusing on Contractor Management. Yolanda founded the Latin Scholarship Fund, where she serves as Executive Director. She leverages her vast experience to support educational initiatives. Yolanda’s journey from a challenging upbringing to influential corporate and community roles highlights her capability and dedication to fostering educational opportunities.
Yolanda is married to Manuel Cruz for over 35 years and they share three children.
Giselli Perez
Treasurer and Co-Founder
Giselli Perez, a product of the vibrant and challenging South Bronx, proudly embraces her Puerto Rican heritage amid the struggles of poverty, drugs, and crime that characterize the area. Her parents' resilience, with her father's journey from Puerto Rico to the Bronx and her mother's upbringing in Spanish Harlem, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, laid the foundation for Giselli's determination to overcome obstacles and secure a better life for her family. Faced with limited educational opportunities, language barriers, and financial constraints, Giselli's father navigated the bustling streets, taking on various odd jobs to provide for the family.
Defying expectations, Giselli became a trailblazing first-generation college graduate, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree from Binghamton University. As she embarked on her professional journey, she channeled her talents into the nonprofit scene to an organization offering alternatives to incarceration, specifically for minorities dealing with the complexities of drug use and sales. Expanding her dedication to the nonprofit sector, Giselli applied her expertise in Finance and Grant management to reproductive health and lung cancer organizations. Both ventures aimed to provide essential support, services, advocacy, and education to individuals and families grappling with these critical issues.
With over 25 years of steadfast commitment to nonprofits and their missions, Giselli's professional journey not only mirrors her personal triumphs but also underscores the lasting positive impact she continues to make. Her wealth of experience in navigating the challenges of the South Bronx uniquely positions her to contribute valuable insights and expertise to the Latin Scholarship Fund, enriching its mission and fostering opportunities for aspiring individuals in pursuit of education and success.
Michelle Fernandez
Vice Chair and Co-Founder
Michelle Fernandez has built a foundation in the financial services industry for more than 35 years. She joined Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in 2001, where she spent the last two decades conducting front line supervision in the Mid-Atlantic Region, overseeing the personal practices of independent advisors and complex team practices.
While attending Iona College, she worked full-time at Citigroup. At Citigroup, she was offered the opportunity to become an investment licensed registered representative. Michelle is registered with FINRA and holds an active Series 7, 63, 24, 9, 10, and a PA Life, Accident and Health insurance licenses. She enjoys working with independent financial advisors because of their empathy, knowledge and passion for their work and has personally seen how their trusted advice and guidance impact lives.
Michelle has resided in the Poconos over twenty years, originally from New York. Throughout the years, she volunteered in the Stroudsburg Area School District, Stroudsburg Little League, and at her church. Almost an empty nester, her philanthropic work continues by serving on the board of the Latin Scholarship Fund, Inc. She believes that if each member feels a sense of belonging this can help strengthen the community. As a Latina, she’s passionate about helping other Hispanics secure a better life by creating opportunities for our youth and ensuring Hispanics can influence and positively impact all areas in our community.
Mario Arostegui
Strategic Partnerships and Co-Founder
Mario Arostegui, born in Managua, Nicaragua. At age 7 he came to the United States of America with his parents and siblings, raised in Queens, NY.
Mario Arostegui has over 27 years in the industry of commercial interior architecture and has spent the last 20 years focusing on “Digital Component Construction” working towards making an impact in the construction world through pre-fabricated construction.
He has deeply been involved with his company's partner office in Calgary, AB – Falkbuilt HQ the leader in sustainability, where his years of experience in corporate interior and vast knowledge of graphic design has let him be part in changing the future for interior construction that’s not only better for the industry but for the planet. Mario Arostegui works on projects around the world with fortune 500 companies. He currently holds a position as VP of Falkbuilt NY and leads a team of architects, designers, and administrative staff.
He received a B.S. in Architecture from the City College of NY and worked as a CAD Designer and IT Manager at a New York city top ten architectural firm before joining Lane Office/ Falkbuilt NY.
Mario Arostegui has resided in East Stroudsburg, PA for over seventeen years, originally from New York. He and his wife raised two amazing kids. As a proud Latino, he strives to see our culture evolve and help our future kids to conquer their dreams.
Carmen Delfi
Strategic Partnerships
Carmen Delfi has had an impressive career spanning three decades in the equipment leasing industry. She currently serves as the Senior Vice President at M&T Commercial Equipment Finance. Carmen's journey in the industry is marked by numerous milestones and a dedication to excellence that has consistently driven operational success. This drive and determination stem from the lessons her father taught her and watching his rise to a successful career in the Health and Hospitals Corporation in NYC. Her father was very supportive and pushed her to succeed from a very early age.
Born and raised in Spanish Harlem, Carmen learned the value of education and earned a scholarship to a private high school, followed by a full ride to Adelphi University, where she completed her degree in Industrial Psychology. It was there she met her husband, Victor, to whom she has been married for 42 years. She volunteers her time to high school students, teaching them critical time management skills needed for success.
Get Involved With the Latin Scholarship Fund
Whether you are a student seeking scholarship opportunities, a supporter looking to make a difference, or a community member interested in getting involved, we would love to hear from you.
