About Us

Over the course of her extensive 20 years of career, Diana Luna has prioritized creating opportunities that support the professional advancement of individuals in a variety of creative fields, in particular those from underrepresented communities.

Born and raised in Mexico City, she holds a BA in Communications from Tec de Monterrey and a MS in Business Administration from Saint Michael’s College. She began her career in Mexico City in public relations, relocated to Vermont and worked in college admissions developing diversity initiatives.

Attracted by the California sun she arrived at Claremont Graduate University to launch the masters degrees in Arts Management and Art Business. At CGU she impulsed and oversaw the Latino Arts Leaders Fellowship with the goal of increasing and positioning Latino executives in the arts nonprofit sector in Los Angeles.

As the director of LMU Extension at Loyola Marymount University, she managed more than 160 job training certificate programs focusing on providing job placement for underserved populations (veterans, persons with disabilities, at-risk youth, homeless, etc.) through industry partnerships, scholarships and awarded federal grants.

Continuing fostering her passion for the arts, for the past 7 years, Diana led the nonprofit organization Tomorrow's Filmmakers Today (TFT) with the goal of highlighting and advancing the careers of emerging Latino filmmakers. In partnership with Hola Mexico Film Festival, TFT is today a tight community of more than a hundred talented creators that together promote professional growth, access to unique projects and collaborations.

Diana has a kid in college and currently lives in Los Angeles Arts District with her old dog Moka.

Vannessa is an experienced marketing, communications & events professional from Los Angeles. She currently oversees NALIP's tentpole events and programs as the Program Director. Also a skillful & dynamic photographer, Vannessa's passion lies in her ability to tell stories and bring ideas to life through any avenue. Vannessa has a knack for seeing the bigger picture and can easily piece together various elements. With careful planning and the overall vision in mind, she ensures that each event or digital campaign is memorable and executed smoothly. In 2019, Vannessa founded Virago Creative, a Latina-led creative agency dedicated to authentic storytelling and creative design. And in 2022, Vannessa co-launched Virago Rising, a Latine-powered media platform utilizing innovative forms of storytelling and resource offerings to uplift nuestra comunidad.

Vannessa has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Emory University, Goizueta Business School and a double bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California (USC).

Vero Kompalic is a Venezuelan filmmaker, programmer and painter. She focuses her scholarship work on postcolonial feminist discourse, with publications on the sexual transgression of Breillat’s work and the radical cinema of Mariana Rondon. She served as an AP and writer on SUMMERTIME, which premiered at SUNDANCE and was theatrically released in 2021. In 2020 she founded DISCORDIA, an independent production company, with her longtime collaborators.

Ivette Lopez is an award-nominated writer, storyteller, and communications professional with over 15 years of experience, passionate about crafting campaigns and events that amplify creatives.

Originally from Fresno, California, she holds a B.A. in Journalism from Cal State Northridge and an M.A. in Strategic Public Relations from USC. She began her career as a freelance journalist covering Latinos in the film industry before expanding into podcasting, writing, producing, and eventually leading editorial and content initiatives for companies like NPR, iHeart Media, and Warner Bros. Discovery, among others.

Now, as Events Manager at NALIP, Ivette brings industry programming to life, ensuring meaningful opportunities for emerging and established creatives. She also sits on the team at Hola Mexico, serving as the director of the Tomorrow's Filmmakers Today Fellowship.

Based in Los Angeles, Ivette is dedicated to storytelling that challenges narratives and elevates fresh perspectives. When she’s not working, you’ll find her playing guitar or exploring new adventures with her younger sister—always in search of inspiration.

Amy Nuñez is a Peruvian-American writer and cinematographer passionate about telling empowering and authentic stories that amplify underrepresented voices. 

She holds dual degrees from the University of California, Riverside, with a B.A. in Theater, Film, and Digital Production — focus on Filmmaking, and a B.S. in Business Administration — focus on Marketing.

She began her career at NALIP as an intern and has worked on signature programs like the Diverse Women in Media Forum, the NALIP Media Summit, and the STARZ Writers’ Intensive. With hands-on experience across creative development, programming, production, and social media marketing, she is driven to grow within the entertainment industry. In 2025, she co-founded SONDER PICTURES, an independent creative studio, with her longtime collaborator. In her free time, she enjoys attending film premieres, lifting weights, thrifting, and finding new places to journal.

Martha Delgado is a Digital Communications Coordinator at NALIP. She graduated from UC Riverside with a B.A. in Creative Writing and her background is in journalism and nonfiction writing.

As Chief Strategy Officer at Hyphenate Media Group, Karla Pita Loor leads growth activities on behalf of the company and serves as a thought partner and strategic advisor to the co-founders and executive team. In addition to providing oversight and strategic counsel across investments and driving business development opportunities and partnerships, Pita Loor also has oversight of brand development across the enterprise and its subsidiaries, including corporate communications and public relations.

Previously as Executive Vice President of Enterprise Inclusion & Social Responsibility at Banijay Americas, she implemented inclusion as a business driver throughout the company's content, creatives, and crew. Currently, she continues to advise Banijay Americas on communications strategy, brand identity, and corporate social responsibility initiatives as an executive consultant. Previous to her roles at Banijay Americas, she was at the Television Academy for nearly a decade, where she served as the Chief Development Officer for the Television Academy, leading partnerships and business development for the Academy’s prosocial efforts.

Beyond her executive responsibilities, Pita Loor holds leadership positions on the Board of Directors for the Geena Davis Institute and the Cal State Entertainment Alliance. She has also served as chairperson of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers since 2021. She is a graduate of Duke University and holds a master’s degree from UCLA.

Jairo Alvarado is a Literary Manager/Producer, who recently left Circle of Confusion to form a new management company, Redefine Entertainment. Over the years he has grown a client list to include but not limited to; Lulu Wang, writer and director of the critically acclaimed film THE FAREWELL; Angel Soto, Director of the HBO Max Film CHARM CITY KINGS & upcoming DC film BLUE BEETLE; Sneha Koorse, a Co-EP of HBO’s PERRY MASON, who is currently developing a feature with Issa Rae’s Color Creative productions; Josef Wladyka, the director of the upcoming HBO MAX series TOKYO VICE; Jenniffer Gomez the Supervising Producer of Amazons SILK with Lord & Miller producing and Madhuri Shekar, who is currently writing the 3rd installment of the SISTER ACT franchise.

Jairo has also produced, in partnership with Skybound Entertainment, the cutting-edge VR project DINNER PARTY. Prior to Circle of Confusion, Jairo cut his teeth in talent management at 3 Arts Entertainment, which he joined in 2011 after starting his career as a creative executive at Warner Bros. Jairo currently sits on the board of directors for National Association of Independent Latino Producers (NALIP) and is a graduate of University of California, Los Angeles.

Introducing our esteemed board member and treasurer, Robert Cruz, who seamlessly merges his passion for the arts with an extensive background in finance. As an advisor for the largest wealth management firm in the world at UBS, and with over 15 years of experience in the finance industry, Robert skillfully navigates complex financial matters with precision and ease.

In his role as NALIP Treasurer, Robert is dedicated to effectively and efficiently utilizing financial resources to support Latinx artists and communities nationwide. He has played a crucial role in maintaining transparency and accountability in our financial operations.

As the child of Peruvian immigrants, Robert has always felt a profound connection to his heritage, which inspires his commitment to giving back to his community. This connection led him to NALIP's mission of empowering Latinx creatives and providing opportunities for success in the entertainment industry.

With his comprehensive background in finance and dedication to promoting equality and inclusiveness, Robert brings a unique perspective to our organization. As a board member, he applies his expertise and passion to guide our financial decisions, ensuring the ongoing success of our mission. We are incredibly grateful to have him on our team and eagerly anticipate the positive impact he will continue to make in the years to come.

As the Head of Scripted Content for The Mediapro Studio, US and Canada, Erika Kennair oversees the procurement, development and production of features and television series for the US and Canadian arm of The Mediapro Studio (The Young Pope/The New Pope, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Official Competition, The Good Boss).

Before that, Erika was President of Production for Extracurricular, Malala Yousafzai’s entertainment company. Projects overseen include AppleTV+ documentaries, Bread and Roses and The Last of the Sea Women with A24. Extracurricular also executive produced the Independent Spirit Award award-winning feature, Joyland, as well as the Oscar nominated documentary short, Stranger at the Gate.

As Senior Vice President, Development, at Berlanti Productions, Erika produced Emmy, Golden Globe, Critics Choice, PGA, DGA and SAG nominated, The Flight Attendant for HBO Max, You for Netflix, docu-series Helter Skelter for Epix and more.
As Vice President, Comedy Development, ABC, Erika oversaw creative for American Housewife, Splitting Up Together, Roseanne, and The Connors. Erika was also very active in the international comedy space, eyeing formats, attending festivals, and establishing relationships with key comedy talent around the world.

Prior to joining ABC, Erika was Vice President, Original Programming and Development, Syfy. She shepherded series including The Magicians, 12 Monkeys, Killjoys and Helix, and the Syfy mini-series, Alice and Neverland. She also served as creative point on WWE Friday Night Smackdown! and was made an honorary “Diva.”

As Manager, Entertainment Diversity Programs, NBC Entertainment, Erika created and oversaw the network’s competitive writing program, Writers on the Verge, an initiative aimed at developing, marketing and placing new writers. Graduates include Lee Sung Jin (Beef), Rafe Judkins (Wheel of Time), Rashad Raisani (911: Lonestar) and Lauren LeFranc (The Penguin).
A Cuban-American, Ms. Kennair was voted one of the Most Influential and Powerful Latinos in Media by the Imagen Foundation four times. She was named one of Hollywood Reporter’s Top Young Latino Decision Makers as well as Multichannel News’s 40 under Forty, Variety’s New Leaders, CableFAX’s Most Influential Minorities in Cable, and was honored as a NAMIC Luminary. Erika serves on the executive board of The Humanitas Prize.

On television, Madrigal plays Oscar on NBC’s hit comedy LOPEZ VS. LOPEZ. In addition to being an actor on numerous TV shows, he was also the Latino Correspondent on THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART. Madrigal’s many film credits include THE WAY BACK with Ben Affleck and NIGHT SCHOOL alongside Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish.

As a writer, Madrigal has written on multiple television shows, including Jim Carrey’s  I'M DYING UP HERE, and BROKE with Jaime Camil. He’s currently developing an extensive slate of Latino-centric projects for TV within his current deal at CBS Studios.

In 2022, Al teamed up with AWA and former Marvel Editor in Chief Axel Alonso to release his comic book PRIMOS. As an entrepreneur, Madrigal and fellow comedian, Bill Burr, founded All Things Comedy (ATC) which in addition to producing several movies and television shows is the #1 comedy podcast network.

Alexander Zahn is a Manager on the Netflix Original Independent Films team. Prior to joining Netflix, Zahn served as VP of Acquisitions & Productions at Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA). At SPWA, Zahn was involved in the acquisition and production of countless films including HER, ARRIVAL, DON'T BREATH, DOPE, MARSHALL and SEARCHING. Among Zahn's priorities has been championing projects from diverse filmmakers, and especially Latinx stories. He has worked on US LatinX narratives including the MACRO -produced BLAST BEAT, a coming-of-age drama written and directed by Esteban Arango, which debuted at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival — and also I CARRY YOU WITH ME, directed by Heidi Ewing, which won the Sundance 2020 NEXT Audience Award and the NEXT Innovator Award.

Daniela Federman is a TV Scripted Agent at WME. In her role, she works primarily with writers, directors, and producers with a focus on underrepresented, diverse, and international voices. Federman began her career in the WME mailroom, before becoming an agent. Internally at WME, Daniela plays a key role in running the Latin Crossover group, which is an inter-departmental initiative to create a cohesive group within the agency for clients who are focused on the Latin business. Originally from Mexico City, Federman’s experience growing up in a multicultural household fostered her love of television series and films. Federman is a graduate of Boston University and she currently resides in Los Angeles.

Gina Reyes is a TV literary agent at United Talent Agency (UTA) where she represents writers and directors including BEN WATKINS Showrunner (Alex Cross, Truth Be Told, Hand of God, Burn Notice), MEREDITH STIEHM Showrunner (Cold Case, Homeland, The Bridge), CHUCK HAYWARD Writer (Ted Lasso, Wandavision), AITCH ALBERTO Writer & Director (Duster, Little America, Aristotle and Dante); MARVIN LEMUS - Showrunner and Director (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day/Disney +, Gentefied/Netflix); EIF RIVERA - Director (Killing Castro, Wu-Tang, Power Ghost, Raising Kanan, Force, BMF, For Life); REBECCA RODRIGUEZ - EP, Writer, Director (Zorro, Breathe, Debris, Snowpiercer, Mayans) and SANTA SIERRA - EP, Writer (Raising Kanan, Vida, Mayans, Narcos), ALESSANDRA LACORAZZA – Writer & Director (In the Summers), among others . Prior to UTA she was a TV literary agent at Verve Talent and Literary agency where she spent 3 ½ years building her roster of clients.

Gina started her Hollywood career at International Creative Management talent agency in Motion Picture Production and transitioned to Film Development in her post with Ms. Salma Hayek’s production company, Ventanazul, which had an overall deal with MGM. Following her time at Ventanazul, Gina landed at 20th Century Fox Film as a Creative Executive in feature film development and then made the move to 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Broadcasting Company where she developed and oversaw the first all-female director initiative, the Fox TV Directors Lab, where she transitioned feature directors into the episodic space. Furthermore, she oversaw the Fox Writers Lab where she staffed female and diverse voices on 20th/Fox scripted series.

Originally from Chicago, Gina attended Columbia College Chicago where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism and Television.

Irene Fernandez Paz is a Mexican-American filmmaker born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. She is currently studying Film Studies at Santa Monica College and is expected to graduate and transfer in June 2025 to complete her Bachelors in Film Production. She aspires to create films that uplift and empower marginalized voices. With a focus on social impact and authentic storytelling, Irene's work aims to inspire positive change and spark meaningful conversations. She has previously interned at DreamWorks Animation and Rising Communities. She was also a part of the first The Promise Workshops cohort at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. 

During her internship, she has honed her skills in script coverage writing, festival planning, and film curation under the guidance of experienced mentors. Irene is eager to continue learning and contributing to NALIP's mission of empowering Latin content creators.

Hairam Ramos is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, with an expected graduation date of Spring 2025. At USC, Hairam has been actively involved in the USC Reach Creator Camp, a premier social media club that fosters the skills of aspiring content creators. This experience has further honed his communication and leadership skills, aligning perfectly with his academic focus.

As a social media and communications intern at NALIP, Hairam enjoys applying his passion for strategic communication in a real-world setting, contributing to the growth of diverse voices in the media industry.

When he steps away from crafting narratives, he unwinds by hitting the gym, playing competitive sports, and conquering new challenges in the world of video games.

Marissa Cueva is a Mexican-American screenwriter born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She is a rising senior at Loyola Marymount University, graduating in May of 2025, where she is a double major in Screenwriting and Chicano/Latino Studies. She is the President of LMU’s Latinx Student Union, and is a member of MEChA, Storytellers of Color, Students for Justice in Palestine, and an El Espejo mentor. She is pursuing a career in writing for the film industry and also has a prominent interest in writing poetry and prose. Her work includes dramas and historical fiction revolving around themes of feminism, social justice, trauma and visibility. She takes inspiration from her own family, life experiences, and culture for her writing. Her publications include two of her poems, “Nopalitos” and “Missing the Monarch Butterflies” in the upcoming anthology Somos Xicanas, a scene, “The Other Side” published in the Lines And Breaks literary journal, her poem “Mariposita” published in Acentos Review, and five poems published in Conchas y Cafe poetry magazine. She has extensive experience as a Production Designer, Production Assistant, and Script Supervisor on student films, and recently was part of the writers room that delivered Poder, NC’s “Go Vote!” series to air August 2024.