Fernanda Sandoval, a proud DACA recipient born in Aguascalientes, Mexico, was brought to the U.S. as a child and raised in Romeoville, IL. As the youngest immigrant and the oldest daughter in her family, she grew up navigating the complexities of identity, responsibility, and belonging. Her lived experience as a DACA recipient fueled a lifelong commitment to advocacy, empowerment, and giving back—both to her hometown and to immigrant communities across Illinois.

Fernanda holds a B.A. in Psychology and is continuing her education to better serve her community. During her time at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL, she was deeply involved in campus leadership.

Professionally, Fernanda has a strong background in social services and immigrant advocacy. She began as a Sexual Assault Survivor Case Manager at Guardian Angel Community Services in Joliet, IL, where she supported survivors through crisis response and legal navigation. She later worked at SOS Children’s Villages in Lockport, IL, under DCFS.

Today, Fernanda serves as Lead Case Manager at NYAP La Jornada in Naperville, IL, where she has spent the last three years advocating for unaccompanied immigrant minors and their families within the federal foster care system.

As the founder of Sueño Monarca, Fernanda channels her journey and passion into building a platform that connects immigrants to resources, mentorship, and education—ensuring that others like her have the support and tools to pursue their own dreams.

Check Out LinkedIn Profile Here.

With over eight years of experience in government and nonprofit work, Julie Gilling is a dedicated policy and legislative advocate.  She holds a Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science from Warren Wilson College. Her early career included roles in urban forestry, natural resources, and working as a professional birth and postpartum doula.

Currently, as the Director of Policy and Advocacy for the City of Chicago, Julie focuses on assisting vulnerable populations, including immigrants in need of shelter services, legal assistance, and more.

A resident of Chicago's West Town neighborhood, Julie enjoys gardening, running, and spending time with her family.

Check Out LinkedIn Profile Here.

Ariell Garcia is the proud son of immigrant parents, born in San Francisco’s historically Latino neighborhood of “La Mission” and raised in the suburbs of the Bay Area. From an early age, he was instilled with a strong work ethic—his parents often worked multiple jobs to support the family, and Ariell contributed by helping with janitorial contracts his father secured.

He was accepted into UC Berkeley but found himself unprepared for the structure and demands of the American university system. This led him to Mexico City, where he enrolled at the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) and earned a degree in Economics. During his time there, he deepened his connection to his heritage and built strong ties with his Mexican family and culture. While in Mexico City, he married and started a family, eventually relocating to the Chicagoland area over a decade ago and settling in Naperville.

Ariell has built a successful 25-year career in finance and banking. He has remained deeply connected to the community through mentorship, volunteerism, and active participation in employee resource groups committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

As a bilingual and bicultural professional, Ariell is passionate about creating meaningful impact in immigrant communities. In his role as Treasurer on the Board of Directors at Sueño Monarca, he brings a wealth of financial expertise, business acumen, and entrepreneurial insight to support the organization’s mission and strategic objectives.

Check Out LinkedIn Profile Here.

Kailey Mullins, LCSW, brings over a decade of experience in mental health and nonprofit leadership to her role as Secretary of the Board of Directors at Sueño Monarca. Currently serving as a Program Director at Thresholds, she leads a community-based program supporting adults with serious mental illnesses on the north side of Chicago, overseeing clinical staff, managing budgets, and driving systems-level improvements. Kailey is also the founder of The Catalyst Collaborative, where she offers individual therapy grounded in relational and trauma-informed practices to folks in Illinois and North Carolina, with a strong emphasis on serving individuals navigating systemic oppression.

Kailey is passionate about advancing equity, sustainability, and opportunity for all. She is excited to bring her clinical insight, operational expertise, and commitment to culturally responsive leadership to Sueño Monarca. As Board Secretary, she hopes to contribute to organizational transparency, strengthen governance, and help amplify the voices and dreams of immigrant communities.

Check Out LinkedIn Profile Here.

Position is Open. Apply Here.

Position is Open. Apply Here.

Alex Corson serves as the Director of Volunteers on the board at Sueño Monarca, bringing over a decade of experience in the mental health and social services field. Currently the Assistant Program Director at Thresholds, a leading mental health nonprofit in Chicago, Alex has dedicated her career to supporting individuals through transformative care and resource connection. Her journey includes impactful work on the West Side of Chicago addressing substance use and harm reduction, as well as earlier roles focused on child development and support. 

Alex holds a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Wright State University and a master's degree in Criminal Justice and Applied Behavioral Sciences from the University of Cincinnati. Alex is passionate about community empowerment and is committed to helping others access the tools and opportunities they need to thrive. Through her role at Sueño Monarca, Alex aims to deepen that impact by building strong volunteer networks and expanding access to meaningful support. 

Check Out LinkedIn Profile Here.

Diana was born in El Salvador and raised between Houston, TX, and San Salvador, El Salvador, until the age of fourteen when her family relocated permanently to Houston, TX.

From a young age, Diana had a deep desire to help her community, particularly the Hispanic community. At fourteen, she decided to pursue a career in immigration law. Determined to achieve her goal, she worked hard in high school to earn scholarships for college and successfully graduated with a full ride to Prairie View A&M University.

Diana earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Prairie View A&M University, graduating debt-free. She currently resides in Kingwood, TX, with her spouse and two daughters. Professionally, she works full-time at Godzina Law Firm PLLC in Houston, TX, and part-time at Brough & Resendez PLLC in Austin, TX.

Since 2023, Diana has been part of the Sueño Monarca’s Board of Directors as a Resource and Information Specialist, working remotely from Texas. In this role, she ensures that all shared information is accurate, relevant, and helpful to the community.

She is currently preparing to begin her legal studies at South Texas College of Law in Houston, TX, in the Fall of 2025, taking the next step toward her dream of advocating for immigrant communities.

Check Out LinkedIn Profile Here.

My name is Rebeca, and I have been passionately practicing Social Work for five years. Throughout my career, I have worked with diverse populations, but the Latino community remains especially close to my heart. My family is from Durango and San Luis, Mexico—both places I deeply cherish.

Currently, I serve as a bilingual therapist in private practice and reside in Illinois. I also have experience in federal foster care, working with immigrant children and advocating for their well-being.

As the Social Work Ethics Advisor, I ensure that the program adheres to the standards of practice outlined in the Social Work Code of Ethics. I have been a member of Sueño Monarca’s Board of Directors as the SWEA since 2023.

Check Out LinkedIn Profile Here.

Position is Open. Apply Here.

Position is Open. Apply Here.

Position is Open. Apply Here.

Position is Open. Apply Here.