About Us
Leadership Team
Cristina Herrera, CEO & Founder
She/Her/Hers
Cristina founded Translatina Network in 2007, in order to organize and empower the transgender immigrant community through leadership development and education. Cristina was formerly the Transgender Programs Coordinator at the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center), where she worked in various roles for eleven years. In her final role there prior to moving into a full-time staff leadership at TN, she oversaw the development of workforce development programming specifically designed to meet the needs of the TGNC community. A leader in the field of TGNC services, HIV prevention, advocacy and community organizing for 18 years, Cristina she has served on countless panels, committees and boards, and has been presented with awards and recognitions by NYC DOH, AIDS Institute, New York City Council, the Queens Borough President, and many organizations.
cristina@translatinanetwork.org
917-415-4116
Simon Chartrand, Workforce Development Manager
He/Him/His
Simon is a Workforce Development Coordinator at Translatinx Network. His interests include serving transgender and immigrant communities. He participated in the TGNCNB Leadership Collective, where he learned how to organize within trans, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary organizations. He helped develop trans-focused events and co-facilitated a transgender support group in Queens. He previously taught French language courses at CUNY Hunter and Baruch, where he discovered his passion as an educator and activist. In his free time, he likes to take his puppy to the dog park.
(929) 533-8653
Meilene Belmont, Associate Director of HIV Services and Prevention.
She/Her/Hers
Meilene is the Associate Director of HIV Services and Prevention at Translatinx Network (TN). She directs health programming and supervises TN staff. Meilene's enhanced capacity on HIV Prevention and community social work has given her the chance to work directly with Transgender Gender Non-Conforming, Non-Binary (TGNCNB) individuals with referral and linkage to medical care. Originally from Mexico, Meilene came to the United States when she was 14 years old. Meilene’s participation in TN’s TGNC Leadership Space program in 2016 enhanced different soft skills, elevated her resume, and provided the foundational expertise in HIV prevention, contributing to her being hired on the TN team.
meilene@translatinanetwork.org
(929) 391-7411
Interns
Alpha Shrestha
She/Her/Hers
Alpha originates from Nepal and is currently a graduate student in Social Work at NYU. She is interning at Translatinx Network, where her pursuit of social work is driven by a desire to engage with the community and serve as a valuable resource for individuals seeking assistance.
Alpha chose to join Translatinx Network to deepen her understanding of the Trans community and gain insights into their experiences and challenges. Through this opportunity, she aims to develop her skills and make a meaningful impact in the lives of those she serves.
Alexis Snodgrass
She/Her/Ella
" Hello everyone!
My name is Alexis (she/her) and I am from San Diego, CA currently earning a master’s degree in Social Work at NYU. I live to learn and am so grateful to be a part of Translatinx Network! "