Grassroots Leadership
for Grassroots Change.

ALICIA NUÑEZ

PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Alicia is President and Chief Executive Officer at CPLC with more than 23 years of financial and operational management experience in both for-profit and non-profit businesses. Prior to joining CPLC in 2006, Alicia was Assistant Director of Finance for The Ritz Carlton, Huntington Hotel and Spa in Pasadena, California.

Alicia has served as Director of Business Enterprises for CPLC, and President of CPLC Insurance, Inc. During her time serving as President of CPLC Insurance Alicia helped develop the infrastructure, process, and business model for the successful inaugural launch of the program.

Alicia served as Vice President of Business Enterprises for CPLC and has managed several for-profit entities within the organization. Prior to this Alicia was Vice President of Accounting where she managed the accounting department at CPLC.

Alicia earned a BA in English Credential Program from California State University Northridge and received her Executive MBA from The University of Arizona in 2017. She has additionally completed the Executive Program for Growing Companies from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and the NeighborWorks Achieving Excellence Program from the Harvard Kennedy School.

ANDRES CONTRERAS

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
INTEGRATED HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES & EDUCATION

Andres L. Contreras provides direct oversight to CPLC’s wide array of social services and education programs, drawing on over 32 years of community-focused non-profit and for-profit program experience. 

Andres has been with CPLC for 28 years and has worked with a variety of entities within CPLC including schools, businesses, and other nonprofit organizations. He also has worked directly with local, state and federal government funding agencies to support community development, housing, and economic development activities. His experience includes extensive involvement in strategic planning and program development. 

Mr. Contreras has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services Management from the University of Phoenix and Master in Business Administration Degree from the Ken Blanchard School of Business at Grand Canyon University.

PATRICIA DUARTE

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
HOMEOWNERSHIP INITIATIVES

For the last thirty-four years, Patricia Duarte has been an advocate for community development initiatives.

Patricia served as the President and Chief Executive of Trellis for 16 years, an Arizona nonprofit dedicated to making stable homes and communities possible through education building and lending. Prior to this, Patricia was the Arizona Manager for the Community Department Group at Chase and prior to that, a Housing Developer in the nonprofit sector where she helped build affordable housing.

Patricia is a former member of the Inaugural Community Advisory Board of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Community Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve. She has been a volunteer board member of non-profits groups that promote self-sufficiency through economic development.

CPLC is glad to welcome Patricia back to the organization, where she originally worked after graduating from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance.

MAX GONZALES

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
STRATEGY & RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

Max Gonzales has overseen CPLC’s strategic direction through a period of incredible growth for the organization. His area provides the funding, technology infrastructure, brand, communications, and public relations for the entire organization.

Prior to joining CPLC, Max spent more than 20 years at SRP, a water and power utility based in Tempe, Arizona where he provided marketing, direct marketing, market research, public relations, advertising, and strategic planning to the Hispanic Market.

Max is involved in a number of community organizations and has held board positions with Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Friendly House, and Valle Del Sol. Max currently serves on the advisory board for the ASU Morrison Institute of Public Policy and The Arizona Chapter of the American Heart Association.

Max earned a Bachelor’s in Management and a Masters of Business administration from Arizona State University. More recently, he completed the NeighborWorks America, Achieving Excellence Executive Leadership program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

JOSE MARTINEZ

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

With over 20 years of experience in non-profit management and fund development, Jose Martinez leads CPLC’s strategy to improve economic conditions in low-income communities by providing investments and services that lead to job creation and economic prosperity.

Jose serves as both Executive Vice President of Economic Development and President of Prestamos CDFI, CPLC’s small business lending program. Under his leadership, Prestamos has more than tripled its annual lending, deploying over $89 million (2011-2018), and providing access to capital and technical support to small businesses and economic development projects in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas.

Jose has dedicated over 20 years to CPLC in various capacities. Throughout his career, he has raised over $165 million for CPLC programs and joint ventures.

Jose holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and a Master’s in Business Administration from Arizona State University.

JESSE SATTERLEE

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Jesse Satterlee currently serves as Chief Financial Officer for Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC).

Jesse has 21 years of financial experience and 18 years of nonprofit experience. He started his career at CPLC as a Financial Analyst, where he oversaw a $137 Million NSPII Contract. He was then promoted to Treasury Manager, where he was involved in cash management of up to $150 million annually. As Program Finance Manager, he oversaw the Financial Analyst team to develop annual budgets for all 48 programs, departments, and subsidiaries.

Jesse then served as Vice President of Finance and later as Senior Vice President of Finance & Accounting. During his career at CPLC, Jesse has helped build a $140 million multi-family property portfolio, focusing on affordable housing.

Jesse attended Arizona State University, where he received his undergraduate degree with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Minor in Communications. In 2011, he graduated from The University of Arizona with a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).

NANCY LIPMAN

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
COMPLIANCE, RISK & HR

Nancy Lipman currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Compliance, Risk, and Human Resources for Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC). 

Nancy has 22 years of operations and management experience and 17 years of nonprofit experience. She developed a comprehensive Compliance Department including formal compliance, internal audit, risk management, and contract management processes and systems to support CPLC and its affiliates across multiple states. She builds cohesive, high-functioning teams driven by collaboration and accountability. 

Nancy’s community service includes participating in television, radio, and print media for the Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. With the Purple Ribbon Council and ASU Morrison Institute on Public Policy, she has also facilitated a volunteer group of more than 20 civil service, non-profit, and public sector professionals to change law and education. 

Nancy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration and Political Science with a Minor in Business from Lewis University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Grand Canyon University. She is a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) and is certified in Healthcare Privacy Compliance (CHPC) and Healthcare Compliance (CHC) by the Compliance Certification Board.