Volunteers

The heart and soul of COREFI

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Elizabeth Rosario Ortíz, President and Executive Director

Elizabeth was born in the Island Municipality of Vieques on October 2, 1969, to Vieques parents.  She completed her High School education at German Rieckehoff Morales.  Due to personal reasons, she had to relocate to the island of Saint Croix, and she later moved to the State of Florida where, for more than 20 years, she worked in a non-profit institution acquiring extensive experience in the operation and management of this type of organization.  Community work is her passion, especially with children and the elderly.

Elizabeth has a degree in Criminal Justice and in Business Administration.  During Hurricane Maria and the recovery process of the island of Vieques she had the opportunity to reconnect with the needs of her fellow Viequenses, and provide volunteer services for different entities, including the Incubadora Micorempresa Bieke, the municipality of Vieques, and later for COREFI, where she met Doña Sonia Ventura de Morales, who personally shared with her the roots of COREFI.

Elizabeth has an innovative vision for the organization, and its doors are open to anyone who wishes to offer something of value to the community, such as service. 

Elizabeth nació en el Municipio Isla de Vieques el 2 de octubre de 1969, hija de padres viequenses. Completó su educación superior en la Escuela Superior Germán Rieckehoff Morales. Por razones personales tuvo que trasladarse a la isla de Saint Croix y, más adelante, al estado de la Florida, donde trabajó por más de 20 años en una institución sin fines de lucro, adquiriendo amplia experiencia en la operación y administración de este tipo de organización. El trabajo comunitario es su pasión, especialmente con niños y personas de edad avanzada.

Elizabeth posee un grado en Justicia Criminal y otro en Administración de Empresas. Durante el huracán María y el proceso de recuperación de la isla de Vieques, tuvo la oportunidad de reconectarse con las necesidades de sus compueblanos y ofrecer servicios voluntarios a diferentes entidades, incluyendo la Incubadora Microempresa Bieke, el Municipio de Vieques y posteriormente COREFI, donde conoció a Doña Sonia Ventura de Morales, quien le compartió personalmente las raíces de COREFI.

Elizabeth tiene una visión innovadora para la organización, y sus puertas están abiertas para toda persona que desee aportar algo de valor a la comunidad, especialmente a través del servicio.

Carmen Valencia, Vice Presidenta

Carmen Valencia is a lifelong Vieques community advocate and a respected voice for justice and dignity on the island. Born and raised in barrio Destino, her early experiences during the Navy era shaped her commitment to protecting and uplifting her people. As Vice President of COREFI, she brings wisdom, compassion, and unwavering dedication to ensuring that every elder in Vieques is cared for with respect and love.

Carmen Valencia es una defensora incansable del pueblo de Vieques y una voz respetada por la justicia y la dignidad en la isla. Nacida y criada en el barrio Destino, sus experiencias durante la era de la Marina moldearon su profundo compromiso con proteger y elevar a su comunidad.

Como Vicepresidenta de COREFI, aporta sabiduría, compasión y una dedicación inquebrantable para asegurar que cada adulto mayor en Vieques reciba cuidado con respeto, amor y humanidad. Su liderazgo refleja una vida entera de servicio y un corazón entregado a su gente.

Maria A. Cintrón Alvarado — VICE TESORERA

María Cintrón es una profesional viequense de Recursos Humanos con más de 14 años de experiencia en el servicio público, especializada en programas de bienestar laboral, prevención de hostigamiento sexual, manejo de beneficios marginales y cumplimiento con normativas de salud y seguridad ocupacional (OSHA).

Ha ocupado roles clave en el Municipio de Vieques, incluyendo Directora de la Oficina de Recursos Humanos y Funcionaria Enlace, donde ha brindado orientación legal y administrativa a empleados, legisladores y líderes municipales. Su enfoque combina confidencialidad, empatía y eficiencia, siempre al servicio de la comunidad viequense.

María aporta a COREFI su conocimiento técnico, su compromiso con el servicio público y su habilidad para resolver situaciones laborales con sensibilidad y respeto.

María Cintrón is a viequense Human Resources professional with more than 14 years of experience in public service, specializing in employee wellness programs, benefits administration, workplace policies, and OSHA compliance. Her career in the Municipality of Vieques included serving as Director of the Human Resources Office and as Liaison Officer, roles in which she provided guidance to employees, legislators, and municipal leadership with professionalism, discretion, and care.

As COREFI’s Vice Treasurer, María brings strong organizational skills, deep knowledge of administrative processes, and a commitment to ethical stewardship. Her ability to manage sensitive information, solve complex situations, and support team operations makes her an invaluable part of COREFI’s leadership. She is dedicated to strengthening the organization’s financial integrity and ensuring that every resource directly supports the well‑being of Vieques’ older adults.

Phyllis Johnson, Co-Founder

I was born in Washington State but raised my own family in Brooklyn, NY. A long history of pro bono and nonprofit participation began with paralegal work for Northwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, where I formed an organization promoting Prisoners’ Services. I worked for Arnold & Porter on the West Virginia Buffalo Creek Disaster with its suit against Pittston Company and testified before a Congressional committee investigating Citizens’ Access to Legal Representation. I volunteered at LEDA (Leadership for a Diverse America) in NYC before my retirement from teaching at Grace Church School in Brooklyn Heights. After, I moved to Vieques and founded COREFI in 2008 with my dear friend, Sonia Ventura.

Phyllis Johnson nació en el estado de Washington, pero crió a su familia en Brooklyn, Nueva York. Su larga trayectoria en el trabajo pro bono y en organizaciones sin fines de lucro comenzó en Northwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, donde trabajó como asistente legal y fundó una organización dedicada a promover los Servicios para Personas Encarceladas. Más adelante colaboró con el bufete Arnold & Porter en el caso del desastre de Buffalo Creek en West Virginia contra Pittston Company, y testificó ante un comité congresional que investigaba el acceso de los ciudadanos a representación legal.

En la ciudad de Nueva York, Phyllis también ofreció su tiempo como voluntaria en LEDA (Leadership for a Diverse America) antes de retirarse de su carrera docente en Grace Church School, en Brooklyn Heights. Tras su jubilación, se mudó a Vieques, donde en 2008 cofundó COREFI junto a su querida amiga Sonia Ventura.

Yaritza Pérez, Administrator

Yaritza Perez was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She has lived full-time on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico for 10 years. Her paternal family is from Vieques, so since she was a child she spent her summers and Christmas vacations in Vieques with her grandparents and family. Hence her love for this beautiful island. After 35 years working in the electrical industry, first as sales manager of Industrial Electric Specialties, Inc. and then as owner of Full Line Rep, Corp, she achieved her dream of living full-time in Vieques, PR. Her first experience with non-profit organizations was after Hurricanes Irma and Maria when she became a volunteer, working with logistics for food preparation and distribution for Bilí and World Kitchen. In 2018 she was recruited by COREFI to carry out the administrative duties of the organization. At present, she is COREFI´s Executive Director and a core volunteer.   

Advisory Committee

Pamela González Robinson, Member Advisory Committee Attorney-Notary, Certified Therapeutic Massage Therapist, Community Activist

After graduating from public school in her island home Vieques, Pamela earned a BA (Magna Cum Laude) with a double major in Journalism/Communications and Psychology from the University of St. Francis (1998) and received her Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Law School (2001). Pamela was admitted to practice in state and federal court in IL and PR. For 22 years the focus of her career has been client counseling, negotiation, and litigation.

Pamela is also a Board Certified Massage Therapist (licensed since 2011) with an integrative approach to health and wellness. She received a Certification in Mind-Body Medicine from the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in 2022. 

Pamela returned to Vieques in 2015 and collaborates with multiple human rights causes and groups, including currently serving as Board President of ISLA NENA COMPOSTA, INC., and as Senior Guardian of her ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH where she coordinates Proyecto Salud y Acupuntura para el Pueblo offering free monthly ear acupuncture & massage clinics to heal in community.

Tras graduarse de la escuela pública en su isla natal de Vieques, Pamela completó un Bachillerato (Magna Cum Laude) con doble concentración en Periodismo/Comunicaciones y Psicología en la University of St. Francis (1998). Luego obtuvo su Juris Doctor en la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Illinois (2001) y fue admitida a ejercer en los tribunales estatales y federales de Illinois y Puerto Rico. Durante más de 22 años, su carrera se ha enfocado en la consejería legal, la negociación y la litigación.

Pamela también es Masajista Terapéutica Certificada (licenciada desde 2011) con un enfoque integrativo hacia la salud y el bienestar. En 2022 completó una Certificación en Medicina Mente-Cuerpo del Center for Mind-Body Medicine.

Desde su regreso a Vieques en 2015, Pamela ha colaborado con múltiples causas y grupos de derechos humanos. Actualmente se desempeña como Presidenta de la Junta de Isla Nena Composta, Inc., y como Guardiana Principal en la Iglesia Episcopal All Saints, donde coordina el Proyecto Salud y Acupuntura para el Pueblo, ofreciendo clínicas mensuales gratuitas de acupuntura auricular y masaje para promover la sanación comunitaria.

Luz Correa Filomeno, Member of the Advisory Committee AND PSYCHOLOGIST with a specialization in Counseling

Born and raised in the town of Carolina, she has now spent 23 years as an adopted daughter of the Vieques community. She holds a Master's degree in Psychology with a concentration in Psychological Counseling and a Doctorate in Psychology with a concentration in Consulting, Research, and Teaching. She also holds certifications in Grief Counseling, Couples Counseling, Family Counseling, and Autism. She is currently a student working towards obtaining certification in Neuropsychology from the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience.

Luz arrived in Vieques between 1999 and 2001 with a group of Viequenses who provided her with support during her university years. Additionally, she participated in community research programs focused on Vieques culture. This experience led to her decision to serve the Vieques community through projects and proposals aimed at social and community impact, which continue to this day. Luz has also provided services at the IPA 650 Fajardo Group Practice and has worked as a Mental Health Consultant for public and private agencies. Furthermore, she has served as a psychological services provider for the Department of Education's Special Education Program through the Temporary Remedy Program for the population with special education needs.

Dra. Ivette Amalia Pérez Pagán, MD

La Dra. Ivette Amalia Pérez Pagán, MD, es especialista en Medicina General en Vieques, Puerto Rico. Graduada de medicina en 2005, cuenta con más de 18 años de experiencia diversa y un compromiso profundo con la salud y el bienestar de su comunidad.

Como orgullosa viequense, la Dra. Pérez Pagán ejerce su profesión con amor, compasión y una empatía genuina hacia cada paciente. Su vocación de servicio y su entrega diaria la convierten en una figura esencial para la salud de la isla.

Nos honra contar con ella como miembro de nuestra Junta Asesora, donde aporta su conocimiento clínico, su sensibilidad humana y su firme compromiso con el bienestar de los adultos mayores y familias de Vieques.

Dr. Ivette Amalia Pérez Pagán, MD, is a General Practice specialist serving the community of Vieques, Puerto Rico. She graduated from medical school in 2005 and brings more than 18 years of diverse clinical experience to her work.

A proud viequense, Dr. Pérez Pagán cares for her community with deep love, compassion, and genuine empathy. Her commitment to the well‑being of Vieques is reflected in every patient she serves and in her unwavering dedication to equitable, dignified healthcare.

We are honored to have her as a member of our Advisory Board, where she contributes her clinical expertise, her humanity, and her steadfast devotion to the people of Vieques.

Dara Sanes Rosa

Dara Sanes Rosa is a proud viequense entrepreneur who brings her professional expertise, creativity, and deep love for her island to every project she undertakes. With a strong commitment to community service, she uses her skills to support initiatives that uplift and strengthen Vieques.

As Secretary of the Board of Directors at COREFI, Dara plays a key role in ensuring transparency, organization, and effective communication across the organization. Her dedication, integrity, and passion for service make her an invaluable part of COREFI’s leadership team.

Dara Sanes Rosa es una orgullosa emprendedora viequense que pone sus habilidades profesionales, su creatividad y su profundo amor por la isla al servicio de su comunidad. Su compromiso con Vieques se refleja en cada proyecto que apoya y en su dedicación a iniciativas que fortalecen y elevan a su gente.

Como Secretaria de la Junta de Directores de COREFI, Dara desempeña un papel esencial en garantizar la organización, la transparencia y la comunicación efectiva dentro de la entidad. Su integridad, disciplina y pasión por servir la convierten en una pieza clave del liderazgo de COREFI.

Sandra I. Torres Torres

Sandra I. Torres Torres es una orgullosa viequense, nacida y criada en la isla, cuya trayectoria profesional en contabilidad, tareas clericales y contabilidad administrativa (bookkeeping) refleja disciplina, precisión y un compromiso genuino con el buen funcionamiento de las organizaciones que sirve. Su experiencia y ética de trabajo la han convertido en una figura confiable y respetada dentro de la comunidad.

Como Tesorera de la Junta de Directores de COREFI, Sandra desempeña un rol esencial en la administración responsable y transparente de los recursos de la organización. Su atención al detalle, integridad y profundo amor por Vieques fortalecen la misión de COREFI y aseguran que cada decisión financiera se tome con responsabilidad y en beneficio de nuestra gente.

Su dedicación representa lo mejor del espíritu viequense: servicio, compromiso y amor por la comunidad.

Sandra I. Torres Torres is a proud viequense, born and raised on the island, whose professional background in accounting, clerical work, and bookkeeping reflects precision, discipline, and a deep sense of responsibility. Her experience and strong work ethic have made her a trusted and respected figure within the community.

As Treasurer of COREFI’s Board of Directors, Sandra plays a vital role in ensuring the transparent and responsible management of the organization’s resources. Her attention to detail, integrity, and unwavering commitment to Vieques strengthen COREFI’s mission and help safeguard the financial foundation that supports our programs and elders.

Her dedication embodies the spirit of Vieques: service, accountability, and love for her community.