American Rivers is a special organization. We work on important issues we are passionate about. But it’s not just the issues, or rivers, that make this a special place. It’s the people – our colleagues, partners, supporters, friends – people like you who are critical to keeping our conservation work going day after day, year after year.

Maite Arce, President and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation, released the following statement in response to reports that President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) to serve as the Secretary of the Department of the Interior:

 Maite Arce, President and CEO of the Hispanic Access Foundation, released the following statement after the announcement that President Obama would establish the Gold Butte National Monument:

Earlier this year, Californians throughout the state’s desert region celebrated President Obama’s designation of the Sand to Snow, Castle Mountains and Mojave Trails national monuments. A diverse coalition including elected officials, veterans, Latinos, Native Americans, faith leaders, businesses, chambers of commerce, historians, biologists, and sportsmen came together in support of the effort and worked tirelessly to see it happen.

By Sally Jewell, Rue Mapp and Maite Arce Special to The Times

AMERICA’S iconic places — like the Statue of Liberty, Yosemite, Mount Rainier National Park, and more — each tell a unique story that, as preserved, help interpret our nation’s natural, cultural and historical past, present and, hopefully, our future. These treasures inspire us, put our lives in perspective and cause us to think about our place in the world.

Today, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell designated San Diego’s Chicano Park, a community hub widely recognized as playing a key role in civil rights efforts by local Latinos, as a National Historic Landmark.

Today, President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum providing guidance to our nation’s public lands agencies on increasing the diversity and inclusion of the histories, cultures, knowledge and people represented in our public lands systems. In addition, President Obama designated three new national monuments — Freedom Riders National Monument, Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and Reconstruction Era National Monument — that protect historic sites, histories and cultural resources important to communities of color.

Maite Arce, President and CEO of the Hispanic Access Foundation, released the following statement in response to yesterday’s confirmation hearing for Rep. Ryan Zinke, the nominee for Secretary of Interior:

Whether we are helping Latinos improve their financial literacy, explore new workforce opportunities, become environmental stewards or advocate for better health, trust and a commitment to equity is at the core of everything we do. Our initiatives, programs and grassroots outreach efforts are aimed at empowering and inspiring individuals to improve themselves and their families and, in turn, strengthen their communities and their country.

And how we do it is what makes us unique.

Hispanic Access Foundation connects Latinos to opportunity by exposing them to reliable and relevant resources, promoting civic engagement and serving as their trusted and trustworthy partner. We have developed extensive, trust-based community networks, including those in communities that are the hardest to reach, that when combined with our robust technology, operations, media and communications platforms guarantees success.

Our ability to cultivate leaders and develop advocates and connect them with our partners ensures long-term successes and systemic change.

Our Mission & Vision

Hispanic Access Foundation connects Latinos and others with partners and opportunities to improve lives and create an equitable society. One day, every Latino in America will enjoy good physical health and a healthy natural environment, a high-quality education, economic success and civic engagement in their community with the sum of improving the future of America.

Our Core Values

• Trustworthy: Integrity, Do what you say you will do, Self-care
• Dedicated: Initiative, Self-Motivated, Loyal, Focused, Versatile, Able to Adapt
• Service to Community: Mission-focused, Teamwork, Belonging, Collaborative
• Hispanic Access First: Prioritizes Organization's Vision and Sustainability First, Culture of Philanthropy
• Excellence: High Quality & Standards, Outstanding, Never Settles, Always Looking to Improve

Our Proven Process 

Before coming to Hispanic Access Foundation, Christine served as an executive assistant and legal secretary for a San Antonio law firm for 14 years and then went on to work for six years under the Chairman of the Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options (Hispanic CREO). She has received formal training in working for executives and has dedicated her career to the field of administration.

Christine was born in Cibolo, Texas and is the third of six children raised in a predominantly German farming community. Her parents instilled in the siblings values—such as a strong work ethic, commitment, and the importance of family—which she has had the privilege of imparting to her three children and grandson.

Why she works for Hispanic Access…

“I admired and wanted to be a part of the way Hispanic Access provides our youth opportunities for success and prosperity which they might not otherwise have in this country.”

In her spare time…

Christine can be found with family and friends.

Her favorite book…

“The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia. Even though it is fiction, this novel rings true with my beliefs that, in the end, good conquers evil.” 

A person she finds inspirational…

“On a national level, there are those such as Cesar Chavez and Martin Luther King. Then, there are those not-so-famous heroes who work hard to preserve and protect their heritage and culture in the U.S. I admire those who work for nonprofit organizations that make a lasting difference for generations to come, and those who work hard to provide opportunities to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of the underserved.”