About LaRED
We believe all young individuals can embrace their faith, define their future, and become catalysts for positive change in their communities.
Our Mission
The National Catholic Network de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana-LaRED, promotes, accompanies, and supports missionary discipleship and collaborative ministry among professionals and leaders of Pastoral Juvenil Hispana.
Our Vision
Communication
We foster communication, collaboration, and mutual support in the spirit of collaborative ministry among diocesan leaders, professionals and institutions engaged in ministry to and among Hispanic Youth and Young Adults.
Collaboration
We encourage and promote, in collaboration with other institutions, the professional development and spiritual growth of those who work in Pastoral Juvenil Hispana as well as efforts and programs that aid Hispanic Youth and Young Adults with their vocational discernment process.
Common Vision
We articulate a common vision together and foster a sense of identity among leaders, professionals and institutions who minister to and among Hispanic Youth and Young Adults.
Dissemination
We facilitate the distribution of information regarding existing programs, resources, agencies, and specialists in the area of Pastoral Juvenil Hispana.
Bridges
We bridge ecclesial and civic organizations that work with Hispanic Youth and Young Adults and with the Pastoral Juvenil in Latin America.
Learn about our History
Support Our Mission
Board Members
President
Annie Nieto Bailey
Annie was raised in a Mexican American household, in Tampico, Mexico. She holds a B.A. in international studies and foreign languages and a M.S. in church management. She has worked in ministry at the parish, diocesan, and national levels. She currently serves as a parish family liaison at the Archdiocese of Seattle. She previously worked at Catholic Relief Services as a partner engagement advisor. Annie has served at the diocesan level as director of young adult ministry, pastoral care, deacon formation and Hispanic and multicultural ministries. She strongly believes in engaging our young Church as well as embracing the richness and diversity of our cultural communities. She lives near Seattle, WA with her husband and three children and hopes they can travel the world as a family someday.
Vice President
Krysthell Castillo
Krysthell Castillo is a dedicated Catholic leader with more than ten years of experience accompanying young people in their journeys of faith. She currently serves as the Hispanic Youth and Pastoral Juvenil Coordinator for the Diocese of Birmingham. Her leadership has strengthened pastoral outreach, fostered community building, and empowered Hispanic youth to take active roles in the life of the Church.
Committed deeply to her faith, Krysthell strives to lead with authenticity and coherence in every aspect of her ministry. She holds a master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from Barry University and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Leadership and Evangelization at St. Thomas University.
Passionate, knowledgeable, and mission-driven, Krysthell is devoted to forming young leaders who can confidently live out their faith and contribute to the future of the Church.
Treasurer
José Julián Matos Auffant
Jose currently works as director of Moye Retreat Center, Castroville TX, where he oversees the general operations of this ministry sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence. Moye Center serves parishes, schools, universities and apostolic groups in the Archdiocese of San Antonio and beyond. From 2012 to 2023, Jose worked at St. Mary’s University, in San Antonio TX, at University Ministry leading the Peer Ministry Program for residence halls and commuters, retreats, spiritual development and outreach initiatives with students, faculty, staff, and alumni. He also coordinated “Messengers of Faith and Hope” Hispanic Ministry summer training with campus ministers and young adults, and served as Executive Director for Mission 2019-21.
Secretary
Isabelle Seiglie
Isabelle Seiglie is a dedicated Catholic leader and the Director of Ministry Programs at St. Thomas University (STU), where she strengthens the university’s mission through formation, outreach, and faith‑driven leadership. A proud STU alumna, Isabelle began her journey as a student in 2018 and joined the staff in 2021. Today, she oversees a range of ministry initiatives that deepen STU’s Catholic identity, collaborating closely with the School of Theology and Ministry and Campus Ministry to build bridges between the university and the wider community.
Passionate about empowering young people, Isabelle cultivates leadership in students by encouraging them to take ownership of their faith and actively shape the future of the Church. Her commitment to youth leadership has earned national and international recognition. In 2024, she served as the sole young adult delegate representing the United States at the Vatican’s International Congress on Catholic Youth Ministry.
Guided by a spirit of service, Isabelle is dedicated to forming ethical, faith‑centered leaders and expanding opportunities for students through mentorship, community engagement, and mission‑driven initiatives.
Member At Large
Sarahi Unzueta
Sarahi Unzueta is a Maryknoll Mission Educator – Promoter. It was on a Maryknoll immersion trip in Bolivia that she discovered she wanted to develop her passion for mission. Holding a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies from Catholic Theological Union with a certificate in Intercultural studies, her specialization now lies in outreach to Young Adults and providing formation to the Latino community. She is passionate about infusing a cultural and artistic element to the ways we do ministry so that our faith is lived more vividly. Having volunteered and served at various parishes with different roles, she sees the importance of active listening to the needs of the young adults who share in this journey.
Member At Large
Andreina Barroso
Andreina Barroso is an award-winning marketing and strategy executive known for her expertise in multicultural engagement, communications, and leadership. She combines strategic vision with disciplined execution, consistently driving growth and earning recognition from top industry associations. Deeply committed to faith-based and community service, she leads Spanish-language marketing, communications, and outreach for Lente Católico, supporting faith and family content for Hispanic audiences through Holy Cross Family Ministries. She also serves as a Board Member at Large for LaRED Pastoral Juvenil Hispana and volunteers at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Doral, contributing to communications, events, and initiatives benefiting immigrant families and workforce development efforts serving more than 10,000 families.
Andreina leads grant writing and stewardship for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Doral, serves as Chapter Lead for the Fellows Association of Catholic Entrepreneurs, and is a Guide for Prayer & Life Workshops. She holds an MBA from the University of Florida.
A wife and mother of two, Andreina is especially proud to be an Army mom.
Member At Large
Gabriella Escalante
Gabriella Escalante is a Venezuelan Catholic lay leader who serves as
Coordinator of Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry at the Southeast
Pastoral Institute (SEPI), supporting dioceses across the southeastern United
States in their processes of leadership formation and pastoral accompaniment.
She is a member of the National Board of LaRED and of the Latine Resource
Committee for the TENx10 initiative. She holds a Master’s in Theology and
Ministry from Boston College. Her pastoral mission focuses on forming
missionary leaders and creating spaces of encounter that integrate faith, culture,
and community.
Member At Large
Jacqueline Chavira
Jacqueline Chavira has over fifteen years of experience in the Jóvenes y Adultos para Cristo movement, where she has demonstrated unwavering commitment and exceptional dedication. In recent years, she has been an active participant in the meetings of LaRED and NCADDHM, where she has built relationships with fellow ministry leaders and worked toward a national vision.
In addition, Jacqueline has played a crucial role in the creation of groups in the Diocese of Dallas, as well as in Fort Worth and Taylor, demonstrating her leadership abilities and her talent for mobilizing others around the mission. She has accompanied various groups and has led retreats for more than 18 years.
Her passion, experience, and interpersonal skills have contributed significantly to collaborative ministry among movements such as Jóvenes para Cristo and LaRED.
Member At Large
Vacant
We currently have a vacancy for member at large.
Member At Large
Vacant
We currently have a vacancy for member at large.
Advisor
Roberto Navarro
Roberto is currently a consultant for the Catholic Leadership Institute. He holds a degree in Business Administration from St. Edward University, Austin, TX, a Master’s degree in Theology and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio. TX. Additionally, he is working towards a Doctor of Ministry degree, with specialization in Evangelization at Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. He has served on several national Catholic ministry boards, including the National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association (NCYAMA), National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry (NCCHM), among others. His extensive experience in lay ecclesial ministry includes Catholic Relief Services, where he served as Senior Director of US Church Engagement and Southwest Regional Director.
Advisor
Rev. Rafael Capó
Rev. Rafael Capó is the Vice President for Mission and Ministry and Dean of Theology at St. Thomas University in Miami, Fl. He is a Papal Missionary of Mercy. Fr. Rafael obtained his D.Min. from Barry University his STL form the Pontifical Gregorian University), and an M.Ed. from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico.
Ex oficio Board Member
Youth and Young Adult Ministries – USCCB
María R. Parker
Maria R. Parker is a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, MD where she studied Theology with minors in Latin and History. She then went on to serve as a FOCUS Missionary for three years at Ramapo College of New Jersey before moving back home to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to teach in Catholic education and serve in Youth and Young Adult parish ministry. Maria obtained her Masters in School Counseling from the College of New Jersey in 2016 and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Neumann University in 2024. She has a passion for the Catholic faith and accompanying others in their own faith formation in order to live out their universal call to holiness. Maria is excited to serve on the LaRED Board in an Ex Officio capacity as a USCCB liaison.
Ex oficio Board Member Subcommittee of Hispanic/Latino Affairs – USCCB
Dr. Alejandro Aguilera-Titus
In addition to his work with the Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church, Mr. Aguilera-Titus staffs the USCCB’s Task Force on the Spanish-language Bible for America. He earned his Doctor in Ministry from Barry University, holds an M.A. in Theology from the University of Portland, and a B.A. in Communications with a minor in Philosophy from the Universidad Iberoamericana, in Mexico City. He is co-author of the series Prophets of Hope, St. Mary’s Press, and contributing editor of Liturgia y Canción, Oregon Catholic Press. Alejandro shares an intercultural family with his wife Mary and their three children.
Episcopal Moderator Liaison with USCCB
Archbishop José H. Gómez
Archbishop of Los Angeles
Most Reverend José H. Gomez is the Archbishop of Los Angeles, the nation’s largest Catholic community. He also serves as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In his ministry, Archbishop Gomez encourages people to follow Jesus Christ with joy and simplicity of life, seeking to serve God and their neighbors in their ordinary daily activities.