Mex Y Can is governed by a volunteer driven Board of Directors elected by voting members of the Association. The Board of Directors is empowered, through the By-laws of Mex Y Can, to act on behalf of members in order to carry out the goals of the Association.

Mex Y Can also has a number of Committees that help guide the activities of the Association. These committees provide volunteer opportunities for members and potential members, as well as influence the direction of Mex Y Can.

Board of Directors for 2018

Alberto Velasco

President

Alberto holds an undergraduate degree in International Commerce and Relations from the University Latina de America based in Morelia, Mexico. He has completed a Master’s study program on Global Marketing at the Western Technological Superior Studies Institute (ITESO). Alberto has worked with the Michoacán State Government, as Head of the Department of International Commerce at the Ministry of Economic Development. In this position, he was able to assist local companies to become export ready for the US market. In Canada, Alberto had the opportunity to assist Manitoba companies to conduct business in Mexico, Chile and Brazil. He coordinated several trade and diplomatic missions from Manitoba to those countries. Alberto currently works at the World Trade Centre Winnipeg as a Director of Trade Services.

Alberto has been an active member on Mex Y Can for many years. He helped coordinate the competition for the logo design of the Association and has been part of the Board of Directors in the past. Alberto was the Adult Ambassador in 2009 for the Mexican Pavilion, he was the Media Coordinator for the Mexican Pavilion 2013 and in 2016 he was the emcee. Alberto has been the keynote speaker for several presentations including the Day of the Dead, May 5th and Mexican Independence Day. Alberto has been heavily involved in the fundraising activities to help support victims of the recent earthquakes in Mexico.

Aline Tezcucano

Past President

Aline was born in Mexico City and is a Biochemical Engineer graduated from the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN). After concluding her doctorate studies at McGill University, she moved to Winnipeg. Aline works for Manitoba Agriculture as a Policy Specialist – Animal Welfare and Health, and Food Safety.

Aline has been actively involved with Mex Y Can in various cultural and social activities for a number of years. On two occasions she has been part of the Board of Directors as a Secretary. Aline has completed two terms as President in which she maintained and nourished a solid database to keep constant communication with members by publishing the Association e-newsletter and help managing the Facebook account. She participates also in the website editing.

Aline successfully secured grants to help sustain the operational expenses of the Association. She developed a number of policies that have given better direction to the Association by supporting its by-laws. She has participated in the organizing committee of a few Mexican pavilions at the Folklorama festival and helped organize some Mobile Consulates in Winnipeg. Aline has also developed and successfully implemented a formal sponsorship and volunteer recognition program and is working on consolidating the membership program.

Aline strongly believes in a team approach where everybody brings their skills to the table and work together for a great cause!

Cesar Cruz

Secretary

Cesar is an Architect who graduated in 2005 from the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi (UASLP) in México; he became a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional in Canada in 2007. He holds a Masters Degree in Advanced Architecture from the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, IAAC, in Barcelona, Spain, 2009.

Since 2012, César is an Associate at Unit 7 Architecture in Winnipeg, Canada.

He collaborated with the Mex Y Can for the first time during the 2007 Folklorama Mexican Pavilion. He was the designer and construction coordinator of the Cultural Display, a modular, portable and contemporary structure that reinterpreted the traditional Mexican arcade.

After living in Barcelona for four years and having returned to settle down in Winnipeg with his family, César was happy to rejoin Mex Y Can to continue to contribute towards the goals and growth of the Association, as well as the promotion of its various cultural events.

César was heavily involved in the behind the scenes of the stage set up for the Mexican Pavilion, Mariachi and Tequila – the Heart of Mexico, during Folklorama 2016 and volunteered his time as a cashier. During the Folklorama 2017 Mexican Pavilion – Arriba el Norte, he was co-coordinator of the Cultural Display, which portrayed the beauty of northern Mexico through a photographic exhibition and virtual reality videos.

Teresa Buss

Treasurer

Maria Teresa received her bachelor of Finance Administration and Master in Management degree from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education. During university she was treasurer of the Students Financial Administration Society and was the recipient of the Leadership Award.

She has volunteered for many different organizations, including Impulsa and Promotion of Peace in Monterrey, Volunteer Unit for Adult Education (UVEA) in New York City, Immigrant Centre Manitoba Inc, MexYCan Association and Look Good Feel Better in Winnipeg.

She moved to Winnipeg in 2015. She is currently working at Palliser Furniture´s corporate office in the USA Consumer Care Division, dealing with the company´s many furniture retailers.

Teresa participated as the VIP Coordinator of the Mexican Pavilion, Mariachi and Tequila, the Heart of Mexico and Arriba El Norte at Folklorama.

Alma De la Torre

Public Relations Officer

Education: Bachelor Degree in Social Communication from the University of Colima

Professional experiences:

News broadcaster (Radio & TV) Televisa Colima and Volvan F.M. now owed by Grupo Imagen.

Public Relations Chief, Communication consultant/ Instructor, Entrepreneur

Heavy involvement in cultural, educational, and youth related activities in Canada

Communication professional with strong connection to my Mexican roots and vast experiences in PR

As the child of a proud Mexican salesman, I got to visit, enjoy and love my country; my father taught me the value of positive human interaction and effective communication. Motivated by my own need to connect with others, I became a communicator and had the opportunity to experience the rush of the mass media Industry. For ten years, I interviewed politicians, entrepreneurs, and members of the community, iconic entertainers and educators. The more I talked to different people, the more I enjoyed hearing other’s points of view.

I have been the recipient of many honors in my professional career; some of the ones I treasure the most came in the form of opportunities. Thanks to the great people I got to work with, I was appointed by my colleagues and Chambers of commerce as debate moderator for the governor election in Colima state, and chosen to be the face of several social causes over the years. I became Coca Cola Company Public Relations chief in Colima in 1998, and shortly after, I got to start my own Communication Training Company.

It was 2004 when my husband, my first child and I move to Canada with high expectations and the anxiety that comes with immersing in a new culture. Thirteen years later I am the mother of three Mexico-Canadian boys; since I am the only woman in the house, I am still surrounded by differences of opinions and creative and curious minds. Really, not much has changed: I have a wonderful life in Canada, but I am still in love with my native home. Today, I am still passionate about establishing positive relations because I know that there is nothing more rewarding and productive that collaboration.

Rene Garcia

Member-at-Large

Rene is an Industrial Engineer graduated from the Autonomous University National of Mexico. He has worked for over 28 years in the area of Logistics and Warehousing. Rene and his family of three children have lived in Mexico City, Tijuana, Victoria, Vancouver and 11 years in Winnipeg. Since arriving to Manitoba, the whole family actively joined all events of Mex Y Can including Folklorama.

In the past, Rene has been the Vice President and the Treasurer of the Association. In 2013 he was the Sub-coordinator of the Mexican Pavilion A Taste of the Mayan World. In 2014 Rene continued his participation as a Committee Member leading the Membership Program.

Rene was one of the Coordinators of the Mexican Festival – Celebrating the Day of the Dead. His latest participation includes his role as one of the Coordinators of the the Mexican Pavilions, Mariachi and Tequila, the Heart of Mexico and Arriba El Norte at Folklorama. Rene has provided exceptional training to two new Pavilion Coordinators, which supported the successional planning for new volunteers involved in leadership roles.

Samuel Jasso

Member-at-Large

Samuel was born and raised in Mexico City, he holds a bachelor degree in Economics graduated from Universidad Panamerica Campus Mexico City. In Mexico he worked for 10 years in different Ministries within the Federal Government in various projects.

He moved with his wife and son to Canada in 2013. Samuel currently works as a financial advisor helping people reach their financial goals. Since he arrived to Winnipeg in 2013 Samuel started participating as a volunteer in multiple activities in events organized by the Mex Y Can including Bingo night, Mexican Independence Day Celebration, Culture Days – The Mayan Exhibition and many others.

In 2017, he was the Treasurer of the Association and provided oversight to the finances of the Mexican Pavilion Arriba El Norte.

Jaime Vargas

Member-at-Large

Jaime was born in Mexico City and made his professional debut in 1989 with the Campania Nacional de Danza in Mexico City and has since performed with many other companies. Jaime began his dance training when he was 14 years old at the Centro de Arte y Ballet in his hometown. Studying with teachers Tita Ortega and his older brother Alejandro Vargas, he graduated with a RAD designation with honoursand received the prestigious Solo Seal. Jaime also studied at the London Studio Centre in England, as well as the Australian Ballet School where he graduated from his classical ballet studies. To further his studies, Jaime received countless scholarships and grants that gave him the opportunity to travel the world over. Vargas joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) as a principal dancer in July of 2004 from the Compañía Nacional de Danza. .

As a dancer, Vargas has competed internationally and has won several awards, including the Silver Medal during the Fifth International Dance Festival in Paris, France (1992). He has been praised for his contribution to the Arts by international critics as well as the Mexican Government.

Vargas joined the RWB as a Principal dancer in July of 2004. During his time with the RWB, Vargas danced many leading roles including Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, Captain Hook in Jorden Morris’ Peter Pan and the title role in Mark Godden’s Dracula. Vargas retired from the RWB Company in 2011 and joined the Artistic Staff as Ballet Master. In 2012, Vargas added Community Outreach Coordinator to his title and has worked to create outreach programming which he has delivered successfully in Winnipeg and across Canada.

Zoila Teles

Member-at-Large

Zoila was born in Queretaro, Qro., Mexico, and immigrated to Canada in 1987. She is married to a Canadian/Portuguese man and they have a wonderful daughter. Zoila has been working at Quality Design, Inc. as an Accountant/Office Manager for over 17 years.

Zoila was very involved with Mex Y Can and the organization of the Mexican Pavilion at Folklorama since the beginning of operations. She has also participated in many fund raising events like socials and other Mexican celebrations organized by Mex Y Can. She was the volunteer’s coordinator at the first Folklorama.

Although she took a break from coordinator roles within the Association for a few years, she has always helped as a volunteer at Folklorama. In 2013 and 2016, she got more involved again as Finance’s Coordinator. Zoila is in the process of obtaining her Accounting designation in Canada. She is very organized and loves to travel.In 2017 she provided training to new volunteers performing financial tasks.

Adriana Zagrodnik

Member-at-Large

Adriana was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. She is an Accountant graduated from the University of Guadalajara. She moved to Manitoba in1997.

Adriana is one of the founders of Mex y Can Association of Manitoba Inc. and has extensive experience in coordinating the Mexican Pavilion at Folklorama as she has been the main Coordinator in 5 occasions.

She is married to an Ukrainian and have 3 daughters, plus one dog and one cat. She is currently working at the Bright Beginnings Educare (BBE) in Headingly as child care assistant and she is the manager of the nutrition program at the centre.

Volunteering is her hobby, as she loves to help others.

Alvaro Lazcano

Member-at-Large

Alvaro is a Mechanical Engineer graduated from the “Instituto Tecnologico de Pachuca” (ITP) in Pachuca Hidalgo, MX, he has been living in Winnipeg MB since 2003.

Currently, he works as Design Engineering Manager at Motor Coach Industries LTD. Alvaro is happily married and he is a father of 3 beautiful kids.

As one of the founders of Mex Y Can Association of Manitoba Inc, he has participated in different Mexican pavilions including the 2007 Faces of Mexico, the one who ignited all the hard work made by our association here at Winnipeg, then the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014 versions confirmed how strong the Mexican community is, during all these events he has been Volunteer, Admissions, Security and Bar Coordinator. Alvaro has also been part of the Executive Directors holding the Vice President and President office.

Alvaro is willing to help our association and to continue showing to all Canadian communities, how great is our dear Mexico.