Panelist Biographies

Luis Almonte serves as the Vice President of Operations and community engagement, responsible for the Discovery Cube Los Angeles Science Center. Prior to Discovery Cube, Luis served as a Nuclear Biological and Chemical Operations Specialist for 10 years in the United States Army, followed by 3 years in the California National Guard as an IT Specialist. Luis has a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Chapman University with a minor in E-commerce.  He is a native of Brooklyn, New York and raised between New York and the Dominican Republic. Luis is currently a resident of the San Fernando Valley in Chatsworth. He is married to Evelyn Almonte and has 3 boys, Antonio 27, Jayden 12, and Julyen 11.

Ilene Uriarte is a School Psychologist working in an urban neighborhood. Ilene grew up in the diverse and resilient city of East Los Angeles. Ilene possess a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Bachelor of Arts in Chicano/a Studies, an Master of Arts in Educational Psychology, an Educational Specialist Degree and Pupil Personnel Services Credential. Ilene is a first generation, Latinx bilingual woman, educator, sister, and amiga. 

Acilegna Santos is a Brand Manager for Just My Talents and an Executive Assistant. Acilegna has a Bachelors in Business Administration and Design and Marketing from Parsons The New School of Design.

Estivi Ruiz is a lawyer with his own law firm in North Hollywood, CA. Estivi has a Bachelor's in Art and Minor in Art History from UC Santa Barbara and a Juris Doctor from Western State College of Law. He has worked Pro Bono with Harriet Buhai Center for Family Law and for the California Innocence Project.

Miriam Joya is a Crisis Counselor and Support Psychiatric Social Worker for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Miriam has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Central American Studies from CSUN and a Master of Social Work from USC. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds a Pupil Personnel Services Credential.