BOARD PRESIDENT

Elissa Stiles is a bilingual immigration attorney at Tulsa-based law firm Rivas & Associates. Upon graduating from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2019, Elissa began her legal career with Rivas & Associates, where she now serves as Managing Attorney. Prior to her legal education, Elissa studied abroad extensively as an undergraduate at the University of Tulsa, learning several languages and forging connections with colleagues in Peru, Madagascar, and Brazil. Her passion for advocacy and service to the immigrant community blossomed out of these global experiences and drove her to seek pro bono opportunities even as a law student. In law school, Elissa co-founded the TU Immigration Law Society, as well as organized and led multiple student service trips to an immigration detention center near the Texas-Mexico border. In her career as an attorney, Elissa dedicates herself to advocating for her clients as well as serving the larger Tulsa community with her specialized knowledge of immigration law. Elissa joined the American Dream Center Board in 2024 with the goal of applying her legal skills to help build and nurture this vital community nonprofit. 

BOARD TREASURER

BOARD SECRETARY

Anh Vu is a resilient and determined individual originally from Vietnam, where she earned a law degree from a prestigious Vietnamese law school. After moving to the United States, Anh faced the daunting challenge of rebuilding her life from the ground up. One of her first hurdles was mastering English as a second language, which she pursued diligently at Tulsa County College (TCC). However, the financial difficulties of adapting to a new country made it impossible for her to continue her formal education at that time.

Despite these challenges, Anh remained steadfast in her pursuit of a better life. She found invaluable support through nonprofit organizations like International Welcomers and the American Dream Center. These organizations played a pivotal role in helping her forge meaningful friendships, deepening her understanding of faith, and becoming actively involved in her local church community. With the legal assistance provided by the American Dream Center, Anh successfully navigated the complex process of obtaining U.S. citizenship.

In 2020, Anh took a bold step forward by becoming a business owner, creating over 30 jobs and contributing positively to her community. Her entrepreneurial success is a testament to her perseverance and commitment to improving her life and the lives of those around her.

Anh is now passionately dedicated to expanding the efforts of the American Dream Center. She aims to help more people like herself overcome the challenges of immigration and adaptation with essential legal services. Anh hopes to empower others to achieve their dreams and build a better life in the United States. 

Angela is the Workforce Program Director at YWCA Tulsa, bringing over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector. She has successfully built and expanded workforce programs that connect immigrant and refugee communities to meaningful job opportunities. With expertise in workforce programming, vocational training development, grant compliance, and strategic partnerships, Angela has led initiatives that create career pathways and promote economic self-sufficiency. She is dedicated to fostering community collaborations and launching innovative employment initiatives, ensuring that every client has the support and resources needed to thrive in the workforce.

Diego is a bilingual professional with a Bachelor's Degree in Entrepreneurship from Oklahoma State University and a Technical Diploma in Automatic Control and Instrumentation from the Centro de Enseñanza Técnica Industrial in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Certified in Translation and Interpreting from Tulsa Community College, he has translated various documents for the Child Development Department and currently work as a Bilingual Communications and Marketing Specialist for CAP Tulsa. He also works as an interpreter for Sebastian Lantos Company, assisting Hispanic families with English-Spanish interpretation.

At the helm of Alfredo Marcelo LLC, championing a venture that marries language proficiency with tailored travel experiences, our team excels in bridging cultural divides. Our recent focus at Growing Together, Inc. involves spearheading the Community Leadership Institute, where we craft and implement strategies to magnify community voices and foster enduring social advancements.

Working alongside an array of stakeholders, the collaborative efforts underline our commitment to nurturing community leaders. Through these roles, I leverage extensive skills in Collaborative Leadership and Community Engagement, fluently navigating multilingual environments. Our mission is steadfast: to cultivate leadership that resonates with and uplifts the vibrant tapestry of communities we serve.