Luisana Mendez (She, Her, Ella)

Founder & Executive Director

Luisana Méndez is a civil engineer and urban planner, originally from Venezuela, with over 15 years of experience in urban planning and community projects in both the public and private sectors. Her career combines strategic vision, leadership, and a deep commitment to collective well-being.

In 2021, she founded Huellas Latinas with a simple idea: to create spaces where the Latino community could reconnect with nature and with each other. What began as a hike has become an organization that today promotes well-being, leadership, and a sense of belonging through year-round outdoor experiences.

As Executive Director, Luisana leads the organization’s strategic vision, develops partnerships, and creates programs that strengthen equitable access to nature. She holds certifications in Wilderness First Aid and as a Forest Therapy guide, reaffirming her commitment to safety and care in every experience.

For her, Huellas Latinas is more than an organization: it is a vibrant community that demonstrates that nature is also a space of belonging.

Cristina Tobón (She, Her, Ella)

Program Coordinator

Cristina is an industrial engineer and marketing specialist, born in Medellín, Colombia. With extensive experience in sales leadership and operational management, she brings a combination of strategic vision and a human-centered approach to Huellas Latinas.

She has lived in Minnesota since 2021 and has been an active part of Huellas Latinas since its inception, first as a participant and volunteer, and now as Operations Coordinator. In this role, she strengthens the planning, organization, and monitoring of our programs, ensuring that every experience reflects our values ​​of well-being, inclusion, and community.

Passionate about the outdoors, camping, and holistic wellness, she firmly believes in the power of community as a space for growth and connection.

Originally from Mexico and a mother of three, Magdalena found in Huellas Latinas a way to combine her love of nature with a desire to serve her community. As a volunteer, she enjoys supporting other families, sharing experiences, and learning from the rich cultural heritage that unites us.

Originario de Venezuela, Rodney se unió a Huellas Latinas en 2024 motivado por su amor por la naturaleza y el deseo de compartir experiencias al aire libre con la comunidad. Disfruta especialmente las actividades acuáticas como el kayak y la canoa, y en Minnesota descubrió su entusiasmo por el snowboarding. Cree que el contacto con la naturaleza nos ayuda a recargar energía y fortalecer tanto el cuerpo como el espíritu.

Venezuelan at heart, Emperatriz finds in nature a space for movement, joy, and resilience. As a grandmother and lover of the good life, she deeply values ​​shared time and connection with others. Her guiding principle—”with arthritis, you either move or it immobilizes you”—summarizes her attitude toward life: to remain active, present, and always ready to discover new paths.

An outdoor enthusiast, Oscar finds peace and connection in nature. He enjoys walking his dog, kayaking, and fishing, and sharing with others the benefits these experiences bring to physical and mental well-being. As a volunteer with Huellas Latinas, he has found community, family, and a way to reconnect with his cultural and natural roots.

Mayra, a proud Mexican, volunteers with Huellas Latinas, contributing her time and energy to strengthen the community. She enjoys nature and values ​​spaces where she can connect, learn, and grow alongside others.

Originally from Mexico, Gaby arrived in Minnesota three years ago and discovered in Huellas Latinas a way to reconnect with her community while enjoying nature in all its seasons. A lover of autumn and outdoor activities, she now volunteers her time to give back to the community some of what she has received.

Raised in Minnesota, Linda enjoys experiencing each season to the fullest, especially autumn and its walks amidst changing colors. Through Huellas Latinas, she found a community where she could connect with nature and new people. Now she volunteers to continue sharing that experience with others.

Originally from Mexico, Mayda deeply enjoys outdoor activities, from hiking and camping to fishing and exploring new natural spaces. For her, family and connection are at the heart of everything. As a volunteer with Huellas Latinas, she shares her energy and dedication to creating experiences that strengthen well-being and community.

Passionate about nature, Ofelia finds in hiking and camping a space for calm, growth, and connection. She believes that the outdoors allows us to heal, strengthen our well-being, and reconnect with those around us. With experience as a Boy Scout volunteer, she now joins Huellas Latinas to continue serving and sharing her love for nature within a community that values ​​its roots and sense of belonging.