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

 

Contact Us

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