Mission
GLA is an organization made up of diverse members committed to creating educational excellence, civic engagement, and activities that improve and contribute to the lives of Latinos in our community. GLA awards annual scholarships to deserving students pursuing their academic and professional goals.
Our History
Glendale Latino Association (GLA), formerly the Glendale Hispanic Business and Professional Organization, was formed in 1990 by a dedicated Latina professional, Isabel M. Ibarra.
We promote awareness of Latino cultures by hosting special events and monthly mixers in order for our members to network with each other, and we produce an annual Business Luncheon, where we honor outstanding leaders for their contributions to our community and for their leadership in promoting the goals of the organization.
All our members are involved in the community. They participate in or are members of local boards and commissions, such as the Glendale College Foundation, Glendale Educational Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Glendale, Glendale Veterans Coalition, Adelante Latino, the Glendale Library Foundation, Character and Ethics Project, National Association of Social Workers (NASW), The Cabrini Literary Guild, Beads for Battle inc. and many more. Others represent elected officials, and most participate in local events such as Unity Fest, César Chávez celebrations, Cruise Night, Dia de Los Muertos, to name a few.
We encourage you to join our membership and pass information about us on to your colleagues and friends. Come and be part of this exciting group of people that is making a difference in our community.
2023 Board of Directors
The Board of Directors serves from February 2023 to February 2024. New board members join at the Installation Luncheon.
Anita Quiñonez Gabrielian
President (2023-2025)
Board of Directors
Miryam E. O. Finkelberg
Treasurer
Board of Directors
Past President, 2015-2017
Law Offices of Finkelberg & Finkelberg
Mercy Velazquez
Board of Directors
Past President
Advisory Board Chair
Velazquez and Associates, PLLC
Ladonna Romans Larrea
Vice President, Events and Mixers
Senior Business Analyst
Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas)
Jasmine Venegas Goulet
Vice President – Scholarship Committee
Board of Directors
Youth Services Coordinator
City of Glendale, Glendale Youth Alliance (GYA).
Leyla Anderson
Secretary
Board of Directors
Crescenta Valley Insurance
Christine Benitez
Board of Directors
Principal
Crescenta Valley High School
Dr. Bill Estrada Gallimore
Board of Directors
Assistant Principal
Crescenta Valley High School
J. Guillermo Garcia
Scholarship Committee
President-Elect 2025
Board of Directors
City of Glendale Library, Arts and Culture
J. Quinonez-Skinner
Immediate Past President
Board of Directors
Outreach and Student Engagement Librarian
Glendale Community College
Lt. Tigran Topadzhikyan
Board of Directors
Glendale Police Department
Advisory Board Members
Mercy Besada Velazquez | Advisory Board Chair |
GLA Past President | 2014 GLA Woman of the Year
Paula Devine | City of Glendale Councilmember &
Former Mayor | 2018 GLA Woman of the Year
Miryam Orellana Finkelberg | Finkelberg & Finkelberg
Law Offices – Administrator | GLA Treasurer & Past President
Michael J. Garcia | City of Glendale – City Attorney
2018 GLA Man of the Year
Susan Hunt | GUSD Retired
2011 GLA Woman of the Year
Ardy Kassakhian | City of Glendale Councilman &
Former Mayor | 2023 GLA Man of the Year
Silvio Lanzas | M-Fire Technologies – Chief of Operations
2022 GLA Man of the Year
Carl Povilaitis | Retired Glendale Chief of Police
2016 GLA Man of the Year
Frank J. Quintero III | City of Glendale Former Mayor
GLA Founder and Past GLA President
2020 GLA Man of the Year
Anita Quiñónez Gabrielian | CEO, Gabrielian & Assoc., Inc.
GLA President | 2009 GLA Woman of the Year
Jennie Quiñónez-Skinner | Glendale Community College
Department of Library & Learning Support
GLA Past President | 2024 Woman of the Year
Karen Swan | Retired Educator | Community Advocate
for Children & Families | 2020 GLA Woman of the Year
Dr. David Viar | Glendale Community College
Retired Superintendent & Former President
2019 GLA Man of the Year