Max Hernandez, Director of Federal Programs

Mr. Hernandez joined The Hispanic Institute in July 2007 where he manages THI's federally-funded initiatives. Since joining The Institute he has focused on coordinating outreach to the business community and public sector entities in all Arkansas and Texas counties.

Immediately prior to joining The Institute Mr. Hernandez worked as a business analyst for the Texas Building and Procurement Commission/Comptroller of Public Accounts. Before his tenure with TBPC/CPA he was Senior Vice President for Business Development with The METEC Group in Arlington, Virginia. He holds a B.A. in English from the University of Maryland.

Arnoldo Mata, Director of Research

Mr. Mata has been Director of Research since joining THI in July 2007. Mr. Mata helped draft the proposal for funding the initial phase of the Immigrant Labor and American Competitiveness Study and is directing all aspects of the study's research.

Before joining The Institute Mr. Mata worked as an independent consultant in the areas of management, project development, resource development, strategic planning and leadership development for a number of organizations. His more than 25 years of professional experience is in management and policy analysis. He has worked for and with the National Council of La Raza, Texas Enterprise for Housing and Development, and other nonprofit organizations. His work included development of long-range strategic plans, homeowner and construction programs, comprehensive economic development strategies, and industrial development planning. He has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Texas-Pan American.

XiNomara Velazquez-Yehuda, Chief of Staff

Ms. Velazquez Yehuda is Chief of Staff for The Hispanic Institute. Since joining THI in 2007.   She oversees government relations,  media ,press, and community outreach. She has provided support for The Institute’s initiatives including, the Immigrant Labor and American Competitiveness Study, The Hispanic Retirement White Paper, as well as Culture Wars, at the Democratic National Convention in Colorado.    She executes Congressional testimony, provides legislative research, oversees voter registration, and acts as liaison to both the Maryland State Senate and Montgomery County government.

Before joining THI, Ms. Velazquez Yehuda’s eclectic professional experience included assignments as Creative Director for domestic and international organizations here and abroad. . She was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica, a member of Vice President Al Gore’s in “country” international advance team in Port Au Prince Haiti. And liaise Congressional Business trips to China.    Ms. Velazquez  Yehuda is a Board Member for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. She holds a double major in International Relations/Diplomacy and Psychology, she was also a law fellow, at Texas A&M University while doing her internship at various Women’s Hospitals in Texas, as a LPC.  She holds a Certificate in Human Rights Law from the Universidad de Costa Rica.  Fluent in five languages, Spanish, English, French, Creole, (Haitian dialect), conversational Farsi and Hebrew.

Ms. Velazquez Yehuda has been working on Civil rights and children’s issues since 1988. And Non Profits since early 1990’s.

Currently she serves in the Board of Lectoras Latinas, Pan American Women’s Organization (OEA), and NACOPRW, the National Association of Puerto Rican Women in the United States.

She is a member of the Hill Havurah in Capitol Hill, Washington DC.

Post Graduated Studies in Judaic Studies from Yeshiva Beit El Jai,Kehilah Sefardí, Beit El Jai , Dominican Republic.