Team

MariaTeresa mariateresakumar

María Teresa Kumar is the co-founder and President of Voto Latino Foundation, a non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization, and its sister 501(c)(4 ) advocacy organization, Voto Latino. Voto Latino Foundation and Voto Latino are the largest Latino voter registration and Latino youth advocacy organizations in the country, respectively. Together, Voto Latino Foundation and Voto Latino, jointly known as Voto Latino, have registered over 1.4 million Americans in key battleground states since 2004, 79% of whom went on to vote. 

Latinos are the fastest-growing demographic in the United States, and Voto Latino’s work has directly led to a substantial expansion of the Latino electorate in key states like Arizona and Nevada. Voto Latino has pioneered the use of technology, social media, and influencers to effectively register voters and counter disinformation at unprecedented scale. Voto Latino reaches over 6 million Americans each month and has spent more than $100 million to ensure all Americans can participate in our democracy. 

For this work, Fast Company named María Teresa one of the 100 Most Creative Minds, and the Analyst Institute recognized Voto Latino with an Expy Award for expanding the field of voter registration. 

A sought-after political leader and strategist, María Teresa advised President Barack Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, and she currently serves on the National Task Force on Election Crises and the Brookings Institution’s Working Group on Universal Voting. She is chair of the Latino Anti-Disinformation Lab.

 María Teresa is also an Emmy-nominated analyst for MSNBC and serves on the boards of Steve Madden, Emily’s List, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Additionally, she is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum. She has been named among Bloomberg’s 100 Influential Latinos, Washingtonian Magazine’s 100 Top Political Influencers, and Elle’s 10 influential women in Washington. The Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Hispanic Executive Magazine, Latino Leaders Magazine, and Hispanic Business have all honored María Teresa.

Ameer serves as Voto Latino’s Managing Director, where he oversees the organization’s operations and programs. Prior to his role as Managing Director, Ameer led Voto Latino’s Programs department, where he focused much of his time on designing programming and experiments aimed at increasing Latino registration and turnout rates. In 2020, he led Voto Latino’s successful and award-winning campaign to register over 600k new voters.

Before joining Voto Latino, Ameer headed data and analytics efforts for various environmental groups building coalition-wide data programs and infrastructure. Before that he spent time working at Catalist, GMMB, and is a proud alumni of Senator Kay Hagan’s 2014 campaign and President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.

When not in the office, Ameer enjoys cycling, skiing, and going on hikes with his dog Oso.

Cynthia serves as the Director of Special Projects for Voto Latino. Her previous experience includes project and operations management for various other Latino-serving non-profit organizations in Washington, DC with a focus on policy advocacy for education, workforce and professional development and financial literacy. Born and raised in Southern California, she became a DC transplant in 2018. She is currently a graduate student at George Washington University.

Gabriela recently graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in Global Studies and Latin American and Iberian Languages. She has had internships in the legal and advocacy sector previously with organizations such as the Brennan Center and EMILYs List.

Growing up with a stutter, Gabriela is passionate about disability rights and is proud of her involvement in the National Stuttering Association where she now serves on the DEI committee. She enjoys spending time with her family (two sets of twins!!) and pets. This coming March, she will start a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship in Brazil.

Isabel is a fellow in the Social Media division. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Isabel is a senior at UC Berkeley studying Media with a focus on law and policy. Passionate about the intersections of political communication and advocacy, she hopes to continue amplifying unheard voices and stories through accessible and informative media.

After finishing her undergraduate studies, she hopes to attend law school to continue learning and advocating for comprehensive policy changes in all areas of social justice. Some fun facts about Isabel are that she enjoys reading, traveling, and going to the beach.

Kaylie is a fellow in the Strategic Initiatives division. She is a recent graduate of William & Mary with a degree in Public Policy and a minor in Psychology. Her time as an undergraduate was spent as a Research Assistant with a political psychology lab and interning with a local law firm.

Since being an Election Page in high school, handing out “I Voted!” stickers, she has been interested in election and voting policy. She is dedicated to ensuring accessible and equitable voting procedures in all 50 states. When she’s not in the office, she is an amateur film critic, memorizing choreography, or reading on the Metro.

Kunal is a passionate and dedicated data analyst with a strong background in both business analytics and computer science engineering. Currently, he thrives as a Data Analyst at Voto Latino, leveraging over 3 years of valuable analytics experience to make a meaningful impact.

His journey in the world of data analysis began during his tenure as a software engineer at a Fortune 500 firm. It was there that he first delved into the realm of data analytics, instantly captivated by its potential to drive informed decision-making and bring about positive change. Recognizing his growing interest and fascination with data-driven insights, he transitioned into a role as a Senior Data Analyst at a dynamic startup. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in driving strategic decisions and facilitating growth for both the startup and its clients.

However, he was determined to deepen his expertise and broaden his horizons in the field of analytics. Consequently, he decided to embark on an exciting academic journey and pursued a Master’s degree in Business Analytics from the prestigious University of Washington. He is incredibly proud to have graduated with honors and ranked among the top 10% of his cohort.

During his time at the university, he had the opportunity to learn a wide array of cutting-edge analytical techniques and methodologies. From predictive modeling to data visualization, he acquired a robust skill set that he is eager to apply to real-world challenges. His education has not only honed his technical proficiency but also instilled in him a profound passion for leveraging data to drive innovation and create positive societal impact.

With his unique blend of technical expertise, business acumen, and a relentless drive to make a difference, he is excited to take on new challenges and contribute meaningfully to any data-driven endeavor. Whether it’s uncovering valuable insights, solving complex problems, or driving strategic decision-making, he is always up for the task.

Liz Lebrón is the research manager for the Latino Anti-Disinformation Lab (LADL), a joint project between Voto Latino and Media Matters for America, a nonprofit disinformation watchdog. Liz drives the lab’s research into disinformation campaigns that target the Latino community and threaten its access to the ballot box. Prior to joining Voto Latino, Liz served as the voter outreach manager for Pinellas County, Florida, where she led the transition from in-person to virtual voter engagement during the 2020 election cycle. Liz began her research career in corporate communications, where she worked with Fortune 500 companies and Forbes Global 2000 firms, before working in higher education while earning graduate degrees in communications and political science. When she’s not working to increase voter turnout in the Latino community, Liz is writing her dissertation on Latino politics.

Lydia serves as Digital Manager for Voto Latino. In her role, Lydia oversees the execution of digital fundraising and engagement across various platforms like SMS, ads, email, and web.

Before joining our team, Lydia worked as a digital fundraising consultant for numerous progressive organizations in the lead up to the 2020 elections and in mail persuasion for the 2018 midterms. She is a proud AmeriCorps alumna, a graduate of the College of Wooster, and a DC native. When she’s not working, you can find her hyper-focusing on her latest obsession or just outside. She really likes being outside. 

Madison L. Madrid is a fellow in the Office of the President division. Born and raised in Fontana, California, Madison is a junior at the University of California, Los Angeles, studying Public Policy, Social Welfare, and Urban Planning and Design with a focus on policy and legislation. After completing her undergraduate studies, Madison hopes to pursue a Master of Public Policy to deepen her knowledge of effective and progressive policies that provide opportunities for underserved communities. With diverse experiences, including constituent-based work in Latino communities at Assembly member Miguel Santiago’s office and a recent policy and legislative role at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Madison’s fervor lies in crafting effective policies that generate positive change and accessibility for all. Some fun facts about Madison are that she enjoys hiking, reading, and working at her campus’s coffee shop.

NorbertoBriceno norbertobriceno

Norberto Briceño is a graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where he studied theater and Latin American studies. In 2014, he joined BuzzFeed as a staff writer, where he wrote articles and quizzes about geek culture, true crime, nostalgia, and Latinidad. In 2016, he co-founded Pero Like, BuzzFeed’s flagship Latino channel, where he produced a plethora of Latino video and editorial content ranging from social issues and Latin American food analysis to comedic skits and relatable Latino-isms. During his time there, with the support of a very small but talented team, the Pero Like Facebook page garnered nearly two million likes, while the YouTube channel has surpassed one million subscribers. He’s excited to be part of the Voto Latino family as the Director of Social Media.

Shannon is the Operations Assistant at Voto Latino. Before joining Voto Latino, she worked in campaigns under Defend the Future and Organizing Corps 2020. She is passionate about advocating for voting rights and reproductive justice. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her cat Toby, reading, and finding good coffee shops. She’s a graduate of Acadia University.

Stephen joined Voto Latino as a Research Fellow in May 2023. He is a recent graduate of The Citadel Military College of South Carolina, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a focus on International Relations and Military Affairs. During his tenure at The Citadel, Stephen rose to the position of Company Commander. In this role, he was responsible for supporting up to 450 cadets to ensure they met their academic and military goals. Stephen’s commitment to community service led him to commission as a Logistics Officer in the Army National Guard, where he serves in his home state of Ohio. His deep passion for labor politics and economic justice fuels Stephen’s aspiration to a career in public office to advocate for labor rights and economic equality, and work towards a better future for all Americans.

Victoria Larsen serves as Executive Assistant to the President/CEO of Voto Latino. She comes to Voto Latino after a stint in the sports industry spending time at the West Coast Conference and Giants Community Fund of the San Francisco Giants. Victoria obtained a Master of Arts in Sport Management from the University of San Francisco where her thesis argued for university presidents at Division I institutions to invest in their men’s basketball programs as a way to boost enrollment and grow their endowment. As a student-athlete at California State University, Stanislaus, she competed for the volleyball and track and field programs while earning a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology. Victoria and her 6-year-old chocolate lab, Sophie, were born and raised in Northern California. 

My name is Darcy Bear (or Darcidious when I’m being naughty). I moved to DC from California with my mom Cynthia. I enjoy walking and taking my time smelling every blade of grass. Snacks, naps and belly rubs are my pleasures in life. I spend most of my days napping or playing with my favorite stuffed animal raccoon who’s name is Stinky.

My name is Oso. Or “Osito Athanasios-Patel” if you’re mad at me. I like to give lots of licks and I promise I can reach your face. Sometimes I worry about my existential personhood but then I remember ball is life.

My dad is Ameer and he’s always staring at the computer screen. So boring.

My name is Pinot Noir and, like a fine wine, I enjoy resting. I have a good home with lots of comfy nooks where I snuggle and think. I wish my mom, Liz, would be more zen, but she says she loves la lucha. I sleep on her feet at night to help her relax because I’m a good keekee.

Hello, my name is Sophie and I love the ball, sleeping under the covers, and the Pacific Ocean. I am very kind to most of my peers I see out walking but have a keen awareness for willful ignorance, immorality, and utter incompetency so I stay far away. Victoria is my very best friend/soul sister.