Rep. Gabby Salinas is a three-time cancer survivor, scientist, and healthcare advocate. Twenty-five years ago, her family immigrated from Bolivia to Memphis so that she could receive treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. While a patient at St. Jude, Gabby fell in love with science. She went on to earn a BS in Biochemistry from Christian Brothers University and she's currently working towards her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences through the University of Kentucky. Gabby currently serves as representative 96 and is the first Latina Democrat to be elected in Tennessee.

Dylan Rivera currently serves as the City of Chattanooga’s Director of Policy Planning and Implementation in Mayor Tim Kelly’s administration, marking the first-ever Latino appointed to a Mayor’s Office position in the City of Chattanooga’s history. His work directly impacts closing generational health, safety, and prosperity gaps in Chattanooga’s minority communities. 

A first-generation graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, he studied public policy with a minor in criminal justice.

Elizabeth got involved in politics and Fuerza because she believes in empowering underrepresented voices and ensuring all communitie hold a seat at the table where decisions are made.

Her passion for advocacy comes from seeing firsthand how policy impacts opportunity and quality of life. As Treasurer of Fuerza, she’s worked to strengthen its financial transparency and secure funding for initiatives.

Elizabeth resides in Memphis with her adopted cat, Clementine who has more personality than most people she knows.

Sarah is a third-generation Mexican American dedicated to advancing equity and uplifting Latino voices. Her belief in the power of civic engagement stems from her own journey navigating identity in the borderlands and seeing firsthand how Latino communities are too often left out of decision-making spaces. She is passionate about building political power so that future generations inherit a more just and inclusive Tennessee.

Sarah brings years of experience in community organizing, with a track record in voter education, civic engagement, and grassroots mobilization. She has helped shape initiatives that connect art, climate, and justice, and has contributed to efforts that expand access, fairness, and opportunity for underrepresented communities. Sarah lives in Chattanooga with her husband, three children, a dog, and a cat. She is an avid gardener and believes that tending to the soil is one of the best ways to stay rooted in community.

Melissa is a first generation Cuban-American professional based in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and serves as a community-based mental health therapist. Melissa brings extensive experience from the nonprofit sector, where her work has focused on advancing equity and access for the Latino community.

Her past roles include helping Latino families secure safe, affordable, and clean housing, leading program  initiatives that supported families in purchasing their first home to build generational wealth, advocating for immigration rights, providing comprehensive services to survivors of sex and wage trafficking, and delivering post-release services for unaccompanied minors. Currently she has founded the TN Hispanic Action Network, Tennessee’s only gun violence prevention organization that focuses on the disproportionate impact of gun violence on the latino community.

Fabian became involved in politics and Fuerza because he saw that Latinos in Tennessee were often invisible, and without political power, policies wouldn’t reflect their needs.

As Nashville’s first Latino Metro Council member, he pushed for changes in how attainable housing was built, after seeing Latinos face evictions from gentrifying neighborhoods. He successfully passed legislation that, though later preempted by the state, set a new standard for advocacy.

Outside of politics, he has officiated over 2,000 weddings, making him the city’s third top officiant, after the last two county clerks.  

David became involved in politics and Fuerza out of a deep commitment to immigrant and worker rights, shaped by his roots in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and his years of advocacy in Tennessee.

David is an attorney and has served for over a decade at the Tennessee Legislature where he currently serves as Policy Advisor to the Tennessee Senate Democratic Leader and Caucus. In this role, he develops legislation, strategy, and research on issues ranging from education to criminal justice reform. David is currently pursuing an Executive Master of Public Administration candidate at Cornell University, and is a contributing writer for the Cornell Policy Review. David loves playing racketball and traveling back to Bolivia to stay connected with his family and culture.

Robert’s involvement with politics and advocacy for Latino issues began during his first year at the University of Florida. Whether it was assisting primary Spanish speakers in accessing campus resources or speaking with families in the community about their needs, Robert recognized the need for our people to have advocates at various levels of local government that looked like them and reflected their values.

As the Director of Data & Technology for Tennessee’s c3 and c4 coalitions, Robert has administered the tools that drive civic and political impact in our state for over 45 partner organizations, using data analysis to make their programs more impactful and create better outcomes. Beyond his work, Robert is an avid outdoorsman. This attracted him to Chattanooga, where he resides with his Australian Shepherd, Ember. 

Yuleiny Escobar became involved in politics and Fuerza to ensure immigrant and working-class families have a real voice in the decisions that affect their lives. She leads community initiatives that expand access to voting, support children’s education and nutrition, and promote environmental and social justice.

Yuleiny loves reconnecting with her Indigenous roots through danza ceremonies.