Board of Community Advisors

Josue Olivares is an entrepreneur and community leader. Originally from Monterrey, Mexico, he holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the Universidad Del Valle de México and an Executive MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology. His entrepreneurial experience spans manufacturing, retail, distribution, and media.

As co-founder of Agentic Studios, Josue is working to expand innovation in the U.S. by launching venture studios that tap into the talent of young people from communities with pent-up potential, creating pathways for them to build scalable businesses and long-term wealth. Previously, he served as Executive Director of the Rio Grande Community Development Corporation (RGCDC), leading initiatives focused on execution and long-term economic impact.

Beyond entrepreneurship, Josue has been deeply involved in Albuquerque’s nonprofit sector, serving on the boards of City Alive, Color Theory, South Valley MainStreet, South Valley Academy, Homewise Inc., and the New Mexico Dream Team. His contributions have been recognized with honors such as the 2018 Albuquerque Business First 40 Under Forty, the 2021 Diverse Leaders Award, and selection as a 2023 W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network fellow.

Andrea Plaza is currently a freelance organizational consultant and grant writer for community-based nonprofits. She holds a dual master’s degree in Latin American Studies and Community and Regional Planning from the University of New Mexico, and has 30+ years’ experience working with the Latinx immigrant community in areas of adult education and economic development. Andrea was the founder and Executive Director of Encuentro in Albuquerque. She is a longtime resident of New Mexico where she has proudly raised her two daughters with a love for the nature, cultures and community that make this state so special. Her family roots are from Colombia by way of North Carolina.

Jaqi is a leader in innovative education through social justice, equity and liberation practice. Jaqi has committed her career to working with and on behalf of young people in Albuquerque. Jaqi is skilled in innovative school design centered around learners. Jaqi consistently lifts up the beauty of New Mexico while spearheading work to address long standing disparities. Jaqi believes that a place so rich in history, landscape, language, and culture there is no room for dismal outcomes in education, child welfare and poverty because the next generations deserve better.

As the Executive Director, Jaqi applies her strategic planning and visionary skills in the growth of Siembra with regard to programming, staffing, students, facilities and finance. Jaqi believes that engaging young people in entrepreneurship and economic development makes the community an overall better place for all of us. Jaqi loves a challenge and is excited about perfecting Siembra’s unique model of project-based learning, student support and community engagement.

Jaqi is highlighted in national networks as a Deeper Learning Equity Fellow, a Manati Fellow, a Pahara Fellow and a Kellogg Fellow. Jaqi was named a 2022 Woman of Influence with recognition from the Governor of the State of New Mexico and the NM State Senate.

Jaqi as a call to action for all of us – let’s honor young people as the assets that they are and re-imagine what schools should be.

Bill is a retired advocate with a passion for social justice. He worked for 8 years as the Executive Director of the HIV Coordinating Council of New Mexico and most recently spent 26 years as the Government Relations Manager at New Mexico Voices for Children. He lobbied both the United States Congress and the New Mexico legislature in both of those positions. He likes to kayak, hike and travel whenever he has the opportunity.