Staff Members

Executive Director

Mr. Mateos Alvarez is highly experienced in grassroots organizing, outreach campaign strategy, and implementation, facilitation, and training. He has assisted many resident leaders to work on issues at the local, state, and national level that include Healthcare, Education, Public Safety, Affordable Housing, Labor, and Immigration. Mateos worked in the U.S. labor movement as an external organizer, then as a Political Organizer, and ultimately as the elected President of a major metro Denver Union. Mateos also spent twenty years as a lead community organizer and community development consultant for various community organizations and non-profits. Mr. Mateos Alvarez is the founder and President of JUMA Development and Consulting Services and is currently the Executive Director of the Aurora Economic Opportunity Coalition.

Social Determinants of Health Manager

Christo Luna is a Latino professional, originally from Las Cruces, NM. In 2016 he moved to Colorado to study at The University of Denver as a Daniels fund scholar where he majored in Biology and Spanish and minored in Gender and Women’s Studies. He is very passionate about government, has been a CLLARO Fellow, and has acquired experience working at the Denver Capital Building in the House of Representatives. In June of 2022, Christo obtained his Masters in Science in Healthcare Management Leadership and Health Policy. Recently, Christo moved back from Washington DC, after completing a health graduate fellowship with The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) in the U.S. Senate. Christo discovered the joys of Aurora during his undergrad years through his college friends who introduced him to Aurora’s incredible food scene as well as Aurora’s warm and welcoming residents. As the Social Determinants of Health Manager, Christo is excited to collaborate with AEOC partners, raising awareness of the AEOC to the public, and building new relationships within the NW Aurora community. In his downtime he loves to travel, cook, and workout.

Migrant Response Manager

Fifteen years ago, Kadi Kouyate moved from West Africa to the United States to pursue an education in Business Administration. Her background encompasses advanced education with a specialization in program development and management. In recent years, Kadi’s focus has been directed towards offering tailored support to migrants as they navigate a spectrum of challenges on their path towards self-sufficiency. As our Migrant Response Manager, Kadi is eager to leverage her skills and experience within her role at the MRN by empowering immigrant communities and facilitating their seamless integration into the NW Aurora community. Kadi enjoys exploring diverse African cuisines, immersing herself in cultural traditions, and avidly reading to satisfy her strong passion for education. She is the proud mother of two beautiful daughters.

Day Labor Center Manager

Blanca is a first-generation immigrant from Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico. In 1986 Blanca moved to the United States at the age of 15 and settled in San Diego, California where she worked for Federal Building Services (FBS) as a janitor at Neiman Marcus Department Stores. Over time, Blanca worked her way up to become FBS’s Project Manager and relocated to Colorado to oversee five janitorial accounts in metro Denver. In January 2004, Blanca began working as an Internal Union Organizer at SEIU 105 where she represented hundreds of building service workers in both the private and public sector in downtown Denver. During her time at SEIU 105, Blanca won thousands of dollars in back pay for janitors and their families, and passionately defended the right of workers to organize in the workplace. In August 2024 Blanca became the Dayton Street Day Labor Center Program Manager at the Aurora Economic Opportunity Coalition and currently manages three programs that include member recruitment, wage theft, and leadership development.

Student Outreach Coordinator

Sara Alvarez is the Student Outreach Coordinator and a first-year student at the University of Colorado at Denver. Sara is working towards a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Currently she is a Pre-Med Physical Therapist student with a focus on human performance and sports concentration in athletic training. Sara has been a staff member at the AEOC for a year and a half and originally served as a Student Ambassador during the Summer of 2021 where she helped coordinate over 20 vaccine clinics at the height of the pandemic in NW Aurora. This year she is interning as AEOC's Student Outreach Coordinator where she is advocating for and promoting local small businesses along the Colfax Avenue corridor in NW Aurora. Sara Victoria will often be seen with her camera in hand hoping to capture as many inspiring moments as possible for the AEOC.