Meet Our Team
Angela Ramirez (she/her)
Executive Director
A native of Colombia, Angela completed her law and business administration (MBA) studies in Bogota where she also worked with marginalized communities for over a decade...
Julie Gamze-Elçin (she/her)
Escalera Program Manager
Julie is the Escalera Program Manager with Puentes. She has lived in New Orleans for 10 years, and during the last several years has worked with youth and students in spaces centering education programs...
Cristina Martinez Istillarte (she/her)
LUNA Program Manager
Cristina Martinez Istillarte, originally from Spain, has been part of the New Orleans community for over 5 years. Cristina earned a bachelor’s degree in Translation and Intercultural Communication in Spain,
Olivia Stonecipher (she/her)
Communications & Outreach
Olivia Stonecipher is originally from Memphis, TN but has been a part of the New Orleans community since 2019 when she started at Loyola University as an Ignatian Scholarship recipient. She recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Spanish through Loyola's Honors Program and has plans to attend law school while continuing her work here at Puentes and in the New Orleans community.