MANGO elects new board, hires staff for its Lemmai-Mei Project

The Marianas Alliance of Non-Governmental Organizations, or MANGO, announced Thursday last week the election of new board members, led by Maisie B. Tenorio as chairperson, Felicidad Ogumuro as vice chairperson, Emma Perez as secretary, Annale’ S. Torres as treasurer, and Laurie Peterka as member.

The MANGO board of directors also hired staff to spearhead the Lemmai-Mei Nonprofit Incubator Project, a $682,000 three-year grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Native Americans.

Tenorio is executive director of the Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence that she co-founded in 2005. She has served in many social service capacities over the years, including serving as a board member for other youth-focused non-profits, including the CNMI Youth Alliance and the Micronesian Youth Services Network. Tenorio is also the newly elected secretary/treasurer for the CNMI State Board of Education. Tenorio holds two bachelor’s degrees from Oregon State University: one in Human Development & Family Sciences, and the other in Psychology.

Ogumoro has a long and distinguished political and public service career going back to before the creation of the Commonwealth. Among her innumerable accomplishments and contributions to the CNMI are five terms in the CNMI Legislature including the 1st CNMI Legislature. A widely known champion of indigenous rights in the Marianas, she is co-founder and treasurer of the Northern Marianas Descent Corp., program administrator for the CNMI Women’s Association, and member of the Chief Aghurubw Foundation. Ogumoro holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from St. Mary’s College in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Perez was elected board secretary and selected as project controller for the Lemmai-Mei Project.  She is a 30-plus-year nonprofit finance professional with broad experience in accounting and finance roles—including controller, accounting manager, and director of finance—for the Walt Disney Family Museum, Zero Divide, the San Francisco Ballet, the San Francisco Symphony, California Pacific Medical Center, and SFJAZZ.  Locally, she worked as assistant director of Finance at the Hyatt Regency Saipan before devoting her time to helping local cultural organizations and nonprofits. She is former president of the Saipan Swim Club, serves on the board of the Northern Mariana Islands Swimming Federation, and is co-founder of 500 Sails where she is board secretary/treasurer and project controller.

Torres is a senior auditor with Burger Comer Magliari CPAs.  She previously worked as an accountant and certified Bank Secrecy Act officer at Bank of Saipan for 15 years. She previously worked for U.S. Airways as a payroll specialist. Torres began her career as a sales associate for Duty Free Shoppers, Ltd. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Argosy University in Hawaii and an associate degree in Liberal Arts from Northern Marianas College. Torres is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Accountancy with University of Phoenix.

Peterka is a 27-year CNMI business professional with an history of community service through a wide range of local non-profits. Peterka co-founded several local NGOs, including Friends of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, Island SK8 Society, the Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association, and the Pacific Ombudsman for Humanitarian Law. Consulting for the CNMI community since 1998 under the trade name Practical Solutions LLC, she focuses her business acumen on helping stand up or organize non-profit organizations and to drive community-wide projects. She has helped facilitate nearly $10 million dollars› worth of grants awarded to the CNMI since 2009. Peterka has a Northern Marianas College associate degree in Liberal Arts, and a bachelor’s degree in Management from the University of Phoenix.

The MANGO Lemmai-Mei Project staff hires include Frances M. Sablan, executive director. Sablan is a Chamorro cultural practitioner, leader, and educator who served as a classroom teacher, school counselor, and vice principal. She is a member and past president of the Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (NMI & International Chapters), a driving force behind the Man Antigo Cultural Dancers.  She was a founding member of MANGO and serves on the board of the Chamolinian Cultural Village Inc., Inetnon Åmut yan Kutturan Natibu Mwiischil Safey me Kkoor Aramasal Falúw (IAKN/MSKAF) and Amelia Earhart Memorial Monument, Inc.  Sablan has a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Guam.

Ryan Camacho was hired as project director.  Camacho is formerly with the CNMI Department of Finance, where he served as financial services manager and technical financial analyst.  He also worked for Seattle University as a retail coordinator and consultant for their deli.  Camacho has an MBA and BA in International Business from Seattle University, and a Graduate School USA, Executive Leadership Development Program Certificate.

Arthur de Oro is the training director.  De Oro joins MANGO from the Northern Marianas College where he served as director, Community Development Institute and grants coordinator. He serves as board president for 500 Sails, and is a board member of Guam nonprofit organizations Inafa’Maolek Conciliation and the South Pacific Peace Memorial Association. De Oro has a master’s degree in Public Administration and bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Guam.

Angelika Narvaez was selected as the program assistant.  Narvaez is a graduate of Marianas High School. Her previous employment includes guest services officer for Hyatt Regency Saipan, customer service assistant, Customized Teez, Okemos, Michigan, and front desk clerk, Coral Ocean Golf Resort Saipan. (PR)