Board of Directors
Dedicated leaders guiding the mission of Friends of El Salvador.
Dr. Juan Antonio Sorto
Dr. Juan Antonio Sorto is passionate about driving positive changes in both our local and global communities and has been recognized for his achievements.
The City of Houston proclaimed December 15, 2020, as Juan Antonio Sorto Day because of his efforts. In 2023, he was named Runner of the Year by Runner’s World Magazine. He was named Houstonian of the Year by the Houston Chronicle and received the 2021 Presidential Life Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Service Award, TEA Heroes for Children Award, Shell Hurricane Harvey Heroes Award, George and Barbara Bush Points of Light Award, and the Houston Dynamo Charities Award.
He is a first-generation Latino with a Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Environmental Policy, with a successful record of directing programs to improve economic development, mobility, public health, safety, security, community engagement, and housing. He is a Political Science professor at the University of Houston-Downtown and Lone Star College.
He is an Ironman, MS 150 Houston-Austin finisher, and Boston Marathon finisher, having completed over 32 marathons and two ultra-marathons. He's passionate about running, traveling, food, movies, and music.
Executive Director
Anibeth Turcios, M.B.A
Anibeth Carolina Turcios is the Deputy Director of the Greater Northside Management District (GNMD). In this role, she manages and coordinates projects and programs, including contractor oversight on various capital projects, economic development, public safety and community development initiatives for commercial businesses. Additionally, she plays a leadership role in managing her family businesses. Before joining GNMD, Anibeth was the Research Specialist II Lead and Project Coordinator at the State of Texas Office of the Governor under the Constituent Communications Division. She is heavily involved in the community through her many leadership and volunteer roles.
Anibeth has maintained an unwavering commitment to public service with her more than 20 years of experience in the government and economic development industry. Anibeth graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Pre-Law. She also received a Minor in Spanish. She graduated from the University of Houston Downtown with a Master’s in Business Administration in Supply Chain Management.
Vice-Chair
Keith Argueta served in the United States Marine Corps Active Reserves from 2003 to 2009, achieving the rank of Sergeant. He began his service in May 2003, attending boot camp in San Diego, California.
Throughout his enlistment, Sergeant Argueta served as an Infantry Rifleman (MOS 0311) with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, a Marine Corps Reserve unit. From October 2007 to April 2008, he deployed to Haditha, Iraq, where he served as a Corporal and Assistant Patrol Leader. During this combat deployment, he completed over 100 patrols, including operations such as boat patrols on Lake Qadisiyah.
Following his return from Iraq, Keith was promoted to Sergeant and assumed the role of Infantry Squad Leader. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 2011, concluding his service with distinction and leadership.
TreasurerKeith Argueta, CPA
Dr. Andrea Guardado was born in San Salvador, El Salvador, and has dedicated her life to advancing global health and improving the well-being of underserved communities. From a young age, she felt a profound passion for medicine and a desire to help others, which inspired her academic and professional journey.
Dr. Guardado holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, a Master’s degree in Health Services Administration, and a Doctorate in Health Sciences with a specialization in Global Health. Her work is driven by a strong commitment to addressing health disparities, educating communities about preventable diseases, and empowering youth to build healthier and more motivated futures.
Deeply passionate about holistic wellness, Dr. Guardado is also the Founder and CEO of The Pure Soul Products Corp., an aromatherapy brand dedicated to supporting physical and emotional well-being through natural, therapeutic products.
Guided by compassion and a global perspective, Dr. Guardado’s lifelong goal is to create meaningful impact worldwide by promoting health equity, preventing disease, and contributing to a healthier, more informed global community.
SecretaryDra. AndreA Guardado
Wady S. Rahbani-Chavez, Esquire
Wady was born in Venezuela and raised in El Salvador. Wady’s unique multicultural background provides him with a unique perspective on justice and advocacy.
Wady’s career highlights include representing clients in a major petrochemical explosion, which led to a $28 million jury verdict, one of the largest verdicts in Texas in 2023.
Before working at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, Wady worked for a prominent personal injury firm, securing over $100 million in compensation for his clients. Wady worked on a variety of cases, including trench collapses, commercial motor vehicle accidents, natural gas explosions, and apartment fires, to name a few.
Wady also worked as a wage and hour attorney, focusing on class and collective actions in federal and state courts around the United States. His practice included areas such as wage theft, unpaid wages, and discriminatory pay practices.
Outside of the courtroom, Wady is an avid soccer fan, passionately supporting underdog teams. A family man, Wady enjoys spending time with his wife, Alejandra, and his mom, Carmen. A perfect day for Wady entails a nice hike in the middle of nature, or a family gathering while listening to Salvadoran music.
Oscar R. Mondragon is the Founder of Centric and President of Centric Wealth.
According to Oscar, financial success eludes many people. Most people are under the impression that generational wealth is “beyond the rainbow” and unattainable. The road to financial success is filled with good intentions and high hopes. A lot of people decide to take the first step and seek counsel, but unfortunately, the advice they get is full of empty promises. Instead of propelling forward, most families take a step back and fail to trust the “system” ever again.
Early on, Oscar had an epiphany – there is a huge gap in good, quality advice, and he was sick and tired of trying to fit square pegs in a round hole. Families needed advice they could count on, advice that was in their best interest, and an advisor pool that truly cared. At his previous firm, he met Zac Majors, his business partner. They realized they had a lot in common, very similar upbringings, and a shared passion for helping people. Sick and tired of acting in the best interests of the firm they were working for, they set out on a journey to start their own firm and do things their own way -- keeping their clients’ interests front and center.
Along the way, he has helped families in different financial situations. He has helped people from just starting their financial lives to very wealthy, very established families. An expert in financial planning, insurance, and investment management. He is a “Five Star Wealth Management” award winner and has been featured in industry platforms for high performance and service.
He is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional with passion to work with entrepreneurs, executives, and retirees. In his spare time, you can find him at home with his family, at kids’ sporting events, and volunteering at his church. He is happily married and has 3 wonderful sons. He's a fan of all things Houston and is characterized by his Faith.
Oscar Mondgragon, CFP
Research Lecturer | Specialist in Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Jeany Argueta holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and has over two decades of teaching experience across all levels of the Salvadoran education system. Since 2013, she has been a full-time faculty member at Universidad Gerardo Barrios (UGB), where she currently serves as a Research Lecturer in the Research Unit. Her work focuses on English as a Foreign Language (EFL), virtual learning experiences, and the sociocultural dimensions of education, with active involvement in national and international research projects.
In collaboration with Friends of El Salvador, Jeany has contributed to research initiatives in the Miraflores community, supporting evidence-based action related to community needs, health initiatives, and local development. This work aims to generate context-sensitive knowledge that informs humane interventions, promotes community awareness, and strengthens advocacy efforts grounded in research and lived realities.
She is certified by the TESOL International Program (SIT Graduate Institute), accredited by INSAFORP as a language training facilitator, and authorized by MINEDUCYT as a higher education lecturer. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Research Methods and Techniques from Universidad de El Salvador and has completed specialized training in research ethics, responsible conduct of research, and data privacy, reinforcing her commitment to ethical, community-centered research and education.
LCDA. Jeany Argueta
Janet brings to Friends of El Salvador nearly two decades of mission-driven leadership across Greater Houston’s nonprofit landscape. A bilingual professional and award-winning communicator, Janet has dedicated her career to empowering underserved communities through early childhood development, parenting and fatherhood programs, adult education, addiction recovery, and foster youth services.
Her impressive track record includes leadership roles such as:
Executive Director at Love Fosters Hope, where she oversaw programs supporting foster youth impacted by trauma.
Chief Development & Communications Officer at AVANCE-Houston, where she led fundraising, media strategy, and branding across 19 service sites.
Senior-level positions at Santa Maria Hostel, Southwest Schools, and Houston Community College, where she cultivated donor relations, executed high-impact communications campaigns, and contributed to strategic organizational growth.
Janet is also a proud University of Houston graduate and an active board member with several global and local organizations.
Janet Deleon-Young, B.A
Gloria Suarez is a Hispanic (Mexican American) nonprofit leader, adaptive athlete, and advocate born and raised in Houston, Texas. A first‑generation college graduate, she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in Sociology from the University of Houston–Downtown. She is also a devoted mother to one daughter.
Gloria has been active in the nonprofit sector since 2018. She spent five years working for a large international organization supporting athletes with disabilities before founding Bee Abled on September 17, 2022. Her vision was to build a community where people with disabilities could access inclusive fitness, adaptive sports, and meaningful social connections without barriers.
Alongside her leadership at Bee Abled, Gloria volunteers at TIRR Memorial Hermann as a Peer Volunteer, mentoring individuals with spinal cord injuries and offering guidance rooted in shared experience. She has lived with paralysis since February 2015 and is an active adaptive athlete.
Gloria’s lived experience, professional background, and unwavering commitment to empowerment shape Bee Abled’s mission and ensure that every program upholds dignity, inclusion, and opportunity for all.
Gloria Suarez, B.A.A.
Advisors
Lazaro Alvarez- Irving Marathon Series
Maria Duran- Central American Collective
Deborah Deleon- Puchica Voz
Nory Angel- American Leadership Forum- Houston/ Gulf Coast Chapter
Jessenia Velazquez-SAS Tax & Business Solutions
Dra. Kiriam Garcia-Ortomax
Geraldina Interiano Wise- Sawyer Gallery & Studios
Michael Merlino-In Flight Running
Maria Concepsion Fuentes Martinez -Distribution