Our Team
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Caroline Cabias
Caroline Cabias is a seasoned public-sector executive with over 40 years of service in California state government. She retired as Chief Financial Officer of the State Board of Equalization, where she led major initiatives in strategic planning, IT modernization, and HR reform. A lifelong advocate for equity, Caroline co-founded CAFÉ de California to address civil rights issues affecting Latinx state employees and has consistently championed inclusive leadership.
In retirement, she remains deeply engaged in civic life, serving on multiple boards including Nueva Época 2.0, the UC Davis Foundation Board, and the Latino Economic Council of Sacramento. A UC Davis alumna and recipient of the Aggie Service Award, Caroline continues to consult on organizational strategy while enjoying travel, family, and California’s wine country.
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Lawrence "Larry" Garcia
Lawrence B. (“Larry”) Garcia brings over 47 years of experience as a business, regulatory, and transactional attorney in the healthcare services industry, as well as a governance consultant. He is currently pursuing another professional passion as a co-founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Nueva Época Academy.
Nueva Época represents Larry’s third nonprofit startup. Earlier in his career, he founded Central Legal of Santa Monica (now Westside Legal Services) in 1973 during his first year at the UCLA School of Law. In 2009, he also founded the Innovation, Strategy and Leadership Institute, a “think and act” tank focused on advancing the senior living services industry, where he continues to serve as an officer.
Throughout his career, Larry has remained deeply committed to the Latino community, providing pro bono legal counsel to organizations such as the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.
He is passionate about preparing the next generation of Latinas and Latinos for leadership roles, particularly as the Latino community continues to grow toward becoming a majority population in California.
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Gabriel Garcia
Gabriel S. García, Esq., is a seasoned corporate attorney in Sacramento, California. He founded Inner Circle Law, specializing in corporate law for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Gabriel's extensive experience includes advising emerging tech startups, small business owners, private equity funds, and nonprofit corporations. Gabriel also serves as the Co-Founder and Chief Legal Officer of Architech Ventures, overseeing legal aspects of a venture studio. He holds a J.D. from UC Berkeley - School of Law and an LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center. Gabriel's legal career includes significant roles at major firms and organizations, including Natura Life Science, where he served as General Counsel and VP of Legal Affairs.
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Alice Perez
Alice Perez is a retired executive and respected community leader with a distinguished career spanning corporate, nonprofit, and civic sectors. She most recently served as Director of Legislative and External Affairs at AT&T, leading government relations and community engagement efforts.
Previously, she was President and CEO of both the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where she advanced economic development and organizational growth. Her career also includes leadership roles at U.S. Bank and SMUD.
Alice remains deeply engaged in community leadership, serving on multiple boards and commissions, and is widely recognized for her commitment to expanding economic opportunity and strengthening communities through inclusive leadership.
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Jesse Salinas
Jesse Salinas combines extensive experience in public policy and administrative leadership. Holding a master's from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy, Jesse has dedicated over 34 years to public service, including eight years in the non-profit sector, three of which as Executive Director of a statewide organization.
Since 2016, Jesse has served as the Yolo County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters, managing a $36 billion-plus property assessment roll, and spearheading the statewide removal of restrictive covenants in official records while leading numerous county elections. His innovations in elections received national recognition, earning the Guardian Award from the National Association of Election Officials in 2019, and the Clearie Award for Outstanding Innovations in Elections by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission in 2020.
Jesse chairs Nueva Epoca, a professional Latiné leadership program, and spearheads a public-private leadership academy with UC Davis. He also serves as Treasurer of the California Association of Clerk and Election Officials (CACEO) and Vice Chair of the Dignity Health Community Board in Woodland.
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Felicia Yep Salinas
Felicia Salinas is a strategic partner at Netflix, specializing in inclusion initiatives. She is a DEI expert and strategist dedicated to enhancing representation and retention of talent from historically excluded communities. Felicia is also the Founder of SmileMaz, an initiative to spread positivity through art and digital design. She has extensive experience in DEI and holds a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University.
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Miguel Zaragoza
Miguel Zaragoza is the Director of FYE+ & DHSI Title V Grant at Sacramento City College. He holds a Master of Science in Career Counseling from California State University-Sacramento and has a rich background in community outreach and student affairs. His professional journey includes significant roles such as a TRIO Counselor at Mission College and an Adjunct Professor/Counselor at Diablo Valley College. Miguel is renowned for his skills in event management, project coordination, and leadership and is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive educational environment. His strategic initiatives enhance student engagement and promote the success of diverse student populations, making him a pivotal figure in shaping the future of academic counseling and student development.