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.

Ian Cabalo graduated from California State University, Northridge in 2021 with a B.A. in Cinema Television Arts with an emphasis in Television Production and a minor in Interactive Marketing. He currently supports the execution of NALIP events, administrative and membership operations, and the internship program.

Emerging from the San Gabriel Valley, his entertainment journey derives from training in performing arts schools, primarily focusing in dance and media. He attended Grand Arts High School, in Downtown Los Angeles. In college, Ian produced multicultural stories at the Mike Curb College, supporting the creative development of a musical, live sketch variety show, and a short comedy.

Drawing from experiences at Fortune 500 companies like The Walt Disney Company and Inditex, Ian is passionate about high-volume operations and customer experience excellence. His studies in business, marketing, and production management influenced his career trajectory. In his free time, he trains in ballet recreationally, studies to become a full-stack developer, and binges domestic and international unscripted television programming.

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.

Jose Medina Rodriguez is a multifaceted Mexican, writer, director and producer. Originally from Mexico City, he was introduced to the world of television through the lens of telenovelas, while sneaking into his fathers job as a camera operator. This coalesced working backstage on local theater productions, and soon after fell in love with screenwriting. All leading to writing and producing a four episode web series “Chef’s Kiss”. Jose focuses on narratives exploring intimate themes such as homelessness, LGBTQ+ struggles, domestic violence, and social justice from underrepresented perspectives. Jose joined the NALIP team in 2020 to be a part of the push for inclusion of diversity in the entertainment industry. He has worked on signature programs like, Latino Media Fest, Diverse Women in Media Forum, NALIP Media Summit, The Emerging Content Creators Inclusion Initiative, and most recently the Latino Media Market. Jose is Los Angeles-based working on the pilot for his next series. Jose holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film & Television Production from California State University, Northridge.

Karla Pita Loor, the newly appointed Chief Strategy Officer at Hyphenate Media Group, brings extensive leadership experience from roles such as Executive Vice President of Enterprise Inclusion & Social Responsibility at Banijay Americas and Chief Development Officer of the Television Academy. She also holds positions on several influential boards and co-founded the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Career Program.

In her new role, Pita Loor will lead strategic planning, brand development, and communications at Hyphenate. She will advise Banijay Americas' leadership on various matters, including social responsibility and brand development. As a Growth Focused Strategist, she will drive business growth through strategic partnerships and innovative ideas. In her capacity as Communications & Brand Leader, she will elevate the company's reputation and oversee a social responsibility program.
Additionally, Pita Loor will consult for Banijay Americas, advising on communications strategy and corporate social responsibility. She will represent Banijay Americas' ESG efforts and manage the corporate social responsibility budget.

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.

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.

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.

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.