Geovannie Gone 
Commissioner, Chairwoman
geovanniegone@gmail.com

Geovannie Goné, LMAC, MPH is a nationally recognized healthcare executive, public health strategist, and health equity advocate with more than 15 years of experience advancing health outcomes for underserved, rural, immigrant, and marginalized communities. A native born from Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua México. She currently serves as President of Minority Health and Social Equity and works for Blue Cross Blue Shield where she leads initiatives focused on chronic disease prevention, social determinants of health, policy advocacy, and community-driven systems change. Ms. Goné is also the founder of NutriU, a holistic nutrition and wellness program providing culturally responsive, bilingual nutrition counseling and behavior-change programs that address eating disorders, metabolic health, and sustainable lifestyle transformation. 

She holds a master's degree in public health, a double bachelor's degree in human services and criminal justice, and maintains multiple professional credentials, including Licensed Master’s Addictions Counselor, Licensed Sports Nutritionist, and Certified Spanish–English Interpreter. She currently serves on the Chair of the Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission, and previously served in the Kansas State Board of Nursing, and the Governor’s Wellness Council.

Her leadership and impact have been widely recognized. Honors include the 2024 NCICP “Equity in Immunization Champion” Award, Top 10 Emerging Healthcare Leader, Healthier Kansas Award, Regional Health Equity Champion, Fortuna Global Award Nominee for Emerging U.S. Healthcare Leader, and multiple national and regional recognitions for excellence in healthcare leadership and equity advocacy. Driven by purpose, integrity, and innovation, Geovannie Goné continues to shape equitable healthcare systems and empower healthier communities through strategic leadership, policy engagement, and community-centered solution 

Yeni Silva-Renteria, LMSW  is an experienced nonprofit executive and nationally recognized advocate for immigrant and refugee communities. With more than 20 years of experience working with children and families, she has dedicated her career to advancing social justice, community empowerment, and trauma-informed systems change at the local, state, national, and international levels.

She was appointed by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to serve on the Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission and the Kansas Advisory Group on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Yeni also serves in numerous advisory and leadership roles, including with the National Initiative for Trauma Education and Workforce Development at the University of North Carolina, the Community Task Force established following the death of CJ Lofton, the WPS Accountability & Equity Committee, and the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity. She is also an associate of the Congregation of Saint Joseph.

Yeni’s leadership and service have been recognized through multiple honors, including the Diversity and Inclusion Award from the Wichita Business Journal, the Immigrant Star Award from the Immigration Support Services Network, and designation as a Kentucky Colonel—the highest civilian honor awarded by the Governor of Kentucky. She is a member of the Wichita Rotary Club.

Born in Mexico, Yeni immigrated to the United States at the age of 10. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from Wichita State University and has received an Honorary Doctorate for her service to vulnerable populations. Yeni serves as Executive Director of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Kansas, where she leads programs serving populations impacted by forced migration. As a founding member of the Kansas Immigration Coalition, she contributes to policy efforts that advance equity, dignity, and opportunity statewide.

Dr. Rocio Del Aguila
Commissioner, Secretary
Rocio.DelAguila@wichita.edu

Rocío (Chio) del Aguila is an Associate Professor of Spanish and Graduate Coordinator and Chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures at Wichita State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies from the University of Texas at Austin.  Her research focuses on Latin American 19^th-Century literature, food studies, and Latino culture in Kansas. She enjoys teaching about traditions and culture, and working with students from different organizations. Her work has earned her awards in and out her institution, including the recognition of the government of Peru, where she was born. She has been a Technical Advisor for several years and has helped organized our annual summit. She is interested in youth civic engagement and topics related to education and culture.

Ernestor De La Rosa
Commissioner
DeLaRosa.2327@gmail.com 

Ernestor is the Regional Manager of Local Government and Community Affairs for ITC Holdings Corporation. Most recently, Ernestor served as the Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer for the City of Topeka, Kansas. Prior to his role at the City of Topeka, he worked for the City of Dodge City, Kansas as the Assistant City Manager.

Ernestor was born and raised in Mexico and immigrated to the United States at the age of 12. He graduated from Wichita State University with a Master of Public Administration and a graduate certificate in nonprofit management. Ernestor obtained his bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University. In 2019, he was recognized with the Early Career Excellence Award by the Kansas Association of City/County Management.

Raised in Topeka, Kansas, Jaramillo, credits her parents for their legacy of service in the Topeka Mexican American community.  Jaramillo has been engaged in community service and civic engagement for many years primarily in the Kansas City area. 

Jaramillo’s administrative and leadership roles included the Mattie Rhodes Center and El Centro, Inc. from 1994 – 2013.  Also consulting roles with Olathe civic leaders to develop initiatives for Olathe to become a more welcoming community for Latinos and an immigrant health project for the REACH Healthcare Foundation from 2014-2018.  Early in her career Mary Lou was employed at the Minority Supplier Development Council, Kansas State University and Kansas University Medical Center.

Jaramillo was a founding board member of the Health Forward Foundation (2003-2010) and Cristo Rey High School (2005-2010), a Catholic college prep education with an innovative work study program. Other board services included Park University Board of Trustees, Francis Family Foundation, Kansas Leadership Center.  Current volunteer service includes Johnson County K-State Research & Extension, the League of Women Voters of Johnson County and the Johnson County Latino Leadership Network and appointed KHLAAC Commissioner in 2020.

Ms. Jaramillo holds a Master of Public Affairs/Nonprofit and Community Services Management from Park University, 1996.

Veronica Padilla
Commissioner
vrpadilla5@gmail.com

Veronica Padilla is a Commissioner on the Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission, appointed by Governor Laura Kelly. She is also a member of the editorial board for the Topeka Capital-Journal. A life-long advocate for the Hispanic community, she has served as Chair of the National Board of Directors for MANA, A National Latina Organization, Kansas State Treasurer of LULAC, and on the Boards of Directors for YWCA of Topeka, Midland Care, Meals on Wheels and Topeka High Historical Society. She also previously served as a chaplain for the National Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary.