Our Program Team
Mia Rodriguez
Founder
Mia has spent years honing her skills in the non-profit, community development, and educational sectors- both nationally in the United States as well as abroad. Mia has a passion for empowering those whose circumstances limit their outcomes, and is dedicated to closing the resource gap- particularly in overlooked communities.
Mia’s time in direct-service youth development work, as an Americorps member, as a Community Development Volunteer in Peace Corps Dominican Republic, in Family Engagement and Community Outreach in urban schools, and in Nonprofit Development has given her experience in every essential function of non-profit leadership.
Mia created La Chispa to connect her US connections, resources, and network to girls just like her, born into a different world. La Chispa exists to honor the sacrifices made by those who got us here, and to create community to uplift the next generation of the diaspora.
Johan Manuel Zerquera Huelbes
CFO/Director Financiero
Johan is driven by a deep belief in the potential of young people. As a mentor, teacher, and community leader, he has spent years walking alongside the next generation—offering them the same encouragement and guidance that shaped his own life. He understands firsthand how powerful it is to have someone see your worth and help you cultivate your gifts. Throughout his journey, mentors have poured into him, and now, he feels a deep responsibility to give that same support to others. For Johan, youth carry the energy, creativity, and vision to shape a better tomorrow, and his life’s work is to help them unlock that power.
At La Chispa, Johan leads with empathy and purpose, helping create spaces where Cuban youth can discover their value, develop critical life skills, and step boldly into leadership. He believes that empowering young people is not just about changing individual lives—it’s about transforming entire communities. By listening to their voices, creating opportunities, and encouraging them to dream bigger, Johan works to plant seeds of hope that will grow for generations to come.
Ivette Zerquera Huelbes
Mentorship & Program Strategy Manager
Ivette brings the lived experience of being a Cuban woman raising a family in Havana. As a mother to a teenage daughter and two stepdaughters, she understands the daily realities young women face—balancing responsibility, ambition, and survival in a challenging environment. Her wisdom comes not from classrooms but from kitchens, streets, and conversations where women shape each other’s strength. Ivette’s life has been one of navigating hardships with resilience and joy, and she is passionate about helping young women see their own power and worth in the everyday moments of life in Cuba.
At La Chispa, Ivette is the heart of the mission’s work in Havana, offering cultural insight and personal guidance to ensure every initiative is grounded in the reality of Cuban life. She serves as a voice for the girls and families La Chispa will reach, ensuring the organization’s efforts truly reflect the community’s needs. Her leadership is rooted in love, experience, and the belief that when Cuban girls are supported, entire families and neighborhoods rise with them.
Daniela Reyes D’Peña
Youth Engagement and Experience Manager
Daniela is an entrepreneur and university student with a passion for building dreams. From a young age, she longed to be part of a project like La Chispa—a space dedicated to helping others bring their visions to life. With a hopeful perspective and a deep belief in people’s potential, she has seen firsthand that in nearly 90% of situations, what’s needed most is a spark—just enough momentum to set the dream engine in motion.
For Daniela, empowering young minds is more than a mission—it’s a commitment to human, social, and global transformation. She believes La Chispa is a powerful vehicle for that change, offering not just resources, but also belief, encouragement, and community.
Our Board
Dr. Crystal R. Ward, Ed.D.
Board of Directors
Dr. Crystal Ward is a veteran educator, youth advocate, and systems strategist with over 25 years of experience transforming outcomes for underserved young people. As the founder of Greater Than Expectations and Crystal The Connector, she has designed and led programs focused on educational access, post-secondary navigation, and mentorship for youth navigating systemic barriers—including those in foster care and low-income communities.
A first-generation college graduate with a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri, Dr. Ward brings a nuanced understanding of institutional change and grassroots impact. Her professional mission—helping families and communities unlock pathways to opportunity—perfectly aligns with La Chispa’s vision for generational transformation in Cuba.
As a board member, Dr. Ward provides strategic guidance on curriculum design, youth development frameworks, and educational outcomes. Her decades of service, including nearly 15 years with Big Brothers Big Sisters and membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, reflect a lifelong commitment to uplifting the next generation of leaders—wherever they are in the world.
Hunter Thorne, MPH
Board of Directors
Hunter is an API Operations Consultant with a multidisciplinary background in technology, public health, and social services. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and Nonprofit Organizational Studies, as well as a Master of Public Health with concentrations in healthcare management, human rights, social justice, and health equity. Throughout her career, Hunter has leveraged research, data, and policy to address systemic inequities and promote community well-being. Her diverse experience includes roles in program and project management, research, and operations with organizations such as AmeriCorps, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Academic Public Health Corps, and Sun Life.
Hunter’s passion lies in harnessing the power of education, policy, and collective action to catalyze meaningful, lasting change—both locally and globally. As a board member of La Chispa, she brings not only her operational expertise and analytical mind but also a deep sense of purpose in advancing education and economic opportunity for women and girls in Cuba. Her values are closely aligned with La Chispa’s commitment to equity and empowerment, and her leadership supports the organization’s efforts to build sustainable, community-driven pathways for generational transformation.