.png)
(213) 417-8390
Who is COFEM?
Get to know us.
The Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM) is a non-profit organization aimed at creating opportunities for Latino Immigrants in North America, with a special focus in California. We are a community-based umbrella organization established by a league of federations or groups of people who share ideas and have continually participated in efforts to improve educational, health, social, and political conditions for our communities.
COFEM has defined specific themes, priorities, and the needs of greatest impact and interest to the Latino immigrant community, including binational economic development, civic participation, education, health, and organizational development.
Bi-national Economic Development
COFEM's bi-national economic development programs provide immigrants with the necessary tools to work and prosper within the context of America's complex financial and banking system. The bi-national economic programs also assist COFEM's member organizations with technical assistance to facilitate economic development projects in Mexico.
Civic Participation
COFEM's civic participation programs are aimed at strengthening the Latino community's role in the political process and ensuring that the Latino immigrant's voice is included in decision-making forums at state and federal levels in both the United States and Mexico.
Education
COFEM's educational programs are intended to increase educational opportunities for children and adults in the Latino immigrant community. A critical aspect of children's academic success is parent involvement. In recognition of this, COFEM's educational programs target the high drop-out rate of Latino students by involving parents in the educational process. COFEM also promotes early childhood education programs and initiatives.
Health
COFEM's health initiatives focus on wellness and disease prevention. The objective of these programs is to foster a culture of health and wellness and, at the same time, address the economic, educational, linguistic, and cultural barriers that affect the distribution of health services.
Organizational Development
COFEM's organizational development programs are aimed at strengthening COFEM's internal organizational structure, processes, and overall functioning. This emphasis on organizational development ensures a vibrant, resilient, and enduring organization, which in turn places COFEM in a powerful position to assist the Latino community through current and future service offerings. Moreover, as COFEM embraces additional Clubs and Mexican Federations, COFEM can play an even stronger role and wield more significant political influence on behalf of the Latino community.
Meet the Team
Francisco Moreno
Executive Director
Originally from Michoacán, Mexico, Francisco has resided in Los Angeles for 36 years and has 22 years of experience as a community leader and activist. He studied law at the University of Guadalajara and television production in Mexico City. Francisco became COFEM's third Executive Director in 2020.
Sendy Hernández Orellana Barrows
Conservation Program Manager - Coachella Valley Office
Originally from Jalisco, Mexico, Sendy grew up in the Coachella Valley and is a passionate advocate for land conservation, diversity, and inclusion in the outdoors. She leads the expansion of the Conservation Program by overseeing land conservation advocacy efforts and creating and implementing community educational and recreational opportunities.
Rafael Fabian, D.V.M.
Program Assistant, Immigrant Integration - Los Angeles Office
Originally from Michoacán, Mexico, Rafael graduated from U.M.S.N.H., School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics in 1990. He migrated to the United States in 1992. Before joining COFEM and obtaining accreditation with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Rafael was a representative for the Mexican Secretariat of Public Education at the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles.
Omar Gabriel Huitzil
Program Assistant, Immigrant Integration
Los Angeles Office
Bio and picture coming soon.
Jose Francisco Manzo
Conservation Fellow - Coachella Valley Office
Jose attended Humboldt State University in Arcata, California where he graduated with a B.A. in Native American Studies and Liberal Studies Elementary Education. Studying in the heart of the redwoods, his passion for nature and land conservation grew quickly. He assists COFEM in creating conservation advocacy through education and outdoor recreation.
Ianai Molina
Program Assistant, Immigrant Integration - Los Angeles Office
Ianai joined the team in March of 2017 and is a former volunteer at COFEM. She is accredited with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and helps the community to renew their green cards, apply for citizenship, and helps DACA recipients to renew their work permits. Ianai attended Glendale Community College and is currently seeking a Paralegal Certificate.
Omar Pichardo
Field Organizer, Los Angeles Office
Bio and picture coming soon.
Melissa Zepeda
Operations and Administration Coordinator
Bio and picture coming soon.
Board of Directors
Carlos Iván González, Federación de Nayaritas en Estados Unidos
President
Dr. Ilan Shapiro Strygler, AltaMed
Board Member
Idelfonso Gastelum, Fraternidad Sinaloense de California
Secretary
Xóchitl Castañeda, Ph.D., UC Berkeley
Board Member
Regina Vega, Federación de Guanajuatenses
Treasurer
Jaime Lucero, Mi Casa es Puebla (NY)
Board Member
Luis Escalera, Federación de Michoacán
Pro-Secretary
Maria Elena Serrano, 24 Hour Real Estate
Board Member
Imelda Beltran, Fraternidad Sinaloense de California
Pro-Treasurer
Francisco Moreno, Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM)
Board Member