Darlyn Davila-Carrera is a proud and dedicated member of the Maya Q'anjob'al Nation. Her journey with the community began with the formation of Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim (CMPI), where she has been a participant since the beginning. Darlyn’s passion for preserving her heritage led her to be a part of the original CMPI Mayan dance youth group established back in 2005. She knows the power of culture and tradition to help shape a strong community. For years, Darlyn has also partaken in different roles with another local Mayan Group where she had the honor of serving as Princess Jolom Konob’ in Omaha from 2008-2009.
In her professional life, Darlyn manages the Representative Payee Program for a local non-profit, Credit Advisors Foundation. This role allows her to provide invaluable services, overseeing a portfolio of Social Security payments totaling $2.4 million annually. Her focus is on helping the most vulnerable individuals with money management and asset protection. Aside from that she offers bi-lingual personal finance counseling, covering everything from credit reviews to budget analysis, and developing action plans for those seeking assistance with housing, credit, debt, and savings concerns. For Darlyn, her cultural roots, community, and family are at the core of who she is, and she aspires to continue to make a positive impact in every aspect of her life. |
Eulalia Pedro is a Maya Q’anjob’al Nation member and the original Director of the Maya Parliament working to advance Maya customary law and governance. Eulalia leads CMPI’s civic engagement efforts to ensure that Maya community members’ interests are represented. Eulalia also led CMPI’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Conferences in 2013 and 2014 which led to diplomatic relations between the Omaha Tribe and the Q’anjob’al, Popti, and Akateko Nations.
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Jean Hanson is an Enrolled Agent, a non-conditioned CPA, and has worked for 15+ years in the nonprofit sector in the Omaha area. She has a BSBA in accounting from Creighton University and an MBA from the University of Nebraska–Omaha. Jean is currently the International Accounting and Tax Manager for Southern Carlson, Inc.
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John R. Stone, MD, PhD is a physician and bioethicist who addresses health disparities and health equity with a focus on race/ethnicity and multicultural issues. He is a Professor Emeritus at Creighton University and Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director of the Center for Promoting Health and Health Equity. His work with Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim began in 2006 and has included teaching English as a second language and being a health advisor, board member, and principal investigator for our Health Needs Survey. He also serves as the Faculty Advisor for the Maya Community Health Collaborative, a collaboration between Creighton University medical students and Maya community members.
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Maria Gaspar is a Maya Akateko Nation member. She has a profound understanding of Indigenous People’s inherent and inalienable rights to self-determination and self-governance. As the former Board President, Maria leads and manages relationships with Maya governments and has led efforts to develop our regenerative agriculture program. She is also a mother of four adult children.
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Ilse Ramirez Palin is a Maya Q'anjob'al Nation member. She has participated in Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim since 2009. Ilse was instrumental in starting CMPI's Maya Human Rights Program, CMPI's Maya Arts and Culture Program as well as the formation of the Association of Maya Students. Additionally, Ilse was instrumental in establishing the yearly International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples Conference in 2013 known today as the Indigenous Peoples Summit. Ilse has been serving the Maya community as a community health worker and Interpreter in various settings since 2014. Furthermore, she loves initiatives related to conserving our natural resources in Maya Territory and Nebraska. Ilse's background is in line with CMPI's vision and mission for the health and wellbeing of the Maya Nation.
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Maria Antonio Gaspar is a Maya Q'anjob'al Nation member. Maria is a practitioner of Maya Medicine highly respected in the Maya Community in Nebraska. At the age of two, Maria and her entire community were displaced from their homeland and lived as refugees in Mexico for over 13 years. Maria's wisdom as a Maya Healer is crucial to the cultural survival of the Q'anjob'al Maya Nation in the United States. Maria is a mother of 8 children: passionate about serving the Maya community. Maria makes sure she has time for her favorite hobby which is weaving.
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David Manzanares is an Indigenous artist based in Omaha. His sculptures, murals, and street art reflect collective identity, migration, and indigenous cosmovision. He serves Indigenous, brown, Black, and underserved communities through art education and collaborative projects. His art brings visibility and empowerment to underserved populations, reinforcing their voices, and generating better spaces for future generations.
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