Ilse Ramirez Palin, President of the Board

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.

Lorenzo Pedro Lucas, Member at Large

Lorenzo Pedro Lucas is a Maya Q'anjob'al Nation member. Lorenzo serves on the Cultural Governance Branch of CMPI's Board of Directors. Lorenzo has a profound understanding of Indigenous Peoples self determination and conflict resolution. ​

Maria Antonio Gaspar, Member

​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.

David Manzanares, Co-Secretary

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.

Leslie Kwasnieski, Co-Secretary

Leslie Kwasnieski educated as an adjunct faculty member at Metropolitan Community College for 20 years and is currently teaching a yearlong Biology for Majors class. She has also been a member of the Nebraska Master Naturalist Organization since 2011. As a Master Naturalist, she collaborates with other dedicated naturalists in the Omaha area to grow the local River City Chapter by coordinating monthly meetings, volunteer events, and trainings. She served on the Master Naturalist Executive Board as Secretary and as Vice President on the Master Naturalist Foundation Board. Outside of her professional passions, she loves knitting for friends and family, reading for pleasure, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Eulalia Pedro, Q’anjob’al Maya Parliament, Member

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. ​

Elaina Dye, Member

Elaina Dye is a digital marketer, environmental activist, yoga teacher, and herbalist. She's previously served on several nonprofit boards offering her marketing and fundraising expertise, including the Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence and TEDxLincoln. Through her work with the CMPI, she supports programs that elevate Indigenous leadership in environmental solutions, provide community resources for growing native plant medicines and sustainable organic food, and build safe spaces for spiritual and cultural practices with the Earth.

Cheryl Martinez, Member

Cheryl Martinez offers 20 years of fundraising experience, including 10 years at The Nature Conservancy, where she partnered closely with communities and donors to move on shared conservation goals. She led communications for TNC’s first recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day; served as a co-lead for the Multicultural Employee Resource Group, leading storytelling projects to elevate voices across TNC’s global community; and founded the Native Network, an online gathering space for Indigenous staff at TNC. Born and raised in England and now residing in New York, Cheryl is a graduate of the University of Wales. Cheryl has Tewa, Zapotec, Spanish and English ancestry. In addition to her community work, she is a ceramic artist and enjoys cooking and learning about global foods and cultures.

Maria Gaspar, Q’anjob’al Maya Parliament, Member

​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.