Diana Maria Rivas

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Diana Maria Rivas’ native roots go back to the Dominic Republic. She describes herself as an “American mind with Latin soul,” and has established herself as a leading force in film, television and theater. During her early years, Rivas was surrounded by strong Latina women who encouraged her to be independent and “to follow her heart wherever it led her,” so she did. Years later, she received an MFA in theater performance from the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and pursued her career in entertainment. She was discovered by ABC, where she appeared on the half-hour comedy “Common Law.” She later co-starred on the hit sitcom “Sabrina, The Teenage Witch” as Annie, “City of Angels,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” and “the X-files,” to name a few. She has also appeared on silver screen features, such as, “What Women Want,” “The Third Wheel,” among others. Today, she can be seen on the original drama series “Side Order of Life,” on Lifetime.

Maria Canals Barrera
A first generation American born to Cuban parents in Miami, Maria Canals Barrera, will star on Disney Channel’s new series the “Wizards of Waverly Place.” She is best known for her role on the “Tony Danza Show” and on the big screen she has appeared in “Master of Disguise” and “My Family/Mi Familia” opposite Edward James Olmos, Jimmy Smits and Esai Morales. On the stage, Canals Barrera has appeared in the Mark Taper Forum in “Changes of the Heart” for which she received an Ovation Award nomination. Among her many roles, she has been guest-starred on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “George Lopez,” “The Loop,” the animated series “The Justice League” and was an Alma Award-winning actress in 2002.
 

Elmy Bermejo
Elmy Bermejo has been appointed to deputy secretary of external affairs for the State and Consumer Services Agency in California. With more than 20 years of public service, Bermejo has served as special assistant to Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata from 1995 to 2004 and district director for Congresswoman Lynn C. Woolsey from 1993-1994. Currently, she is board president of the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) and chair of the Women’s Foundation of California. Bermejo has served as a speaker at various conferences organized by AAUW, the S. F. Commission on the Status of Women, Francisco and UC Berkeley, the Latina Leadership Network Conference of the CA Community Colleges.