Welcoming LAYC’s New Board Members: Champions of Innovation and Community
At Latin American Youth Center (LAYC), we believe that strong leadership is essential to driving meaningful change. We are thrilled to welcome five exceptional individuals to our Board of Directors, each bringing a wealth of experience, passion, and commitment to our mission of empowering youth and families.
Meet our members:
Erica Chicola
Erica joins the board with deep expertise in public affairs and international development. As Senior Director for Public Affairs – Industrials at FTI Consulting, she helps organizations navigate complex geopolitical landscapes and advance key policy goals. Her previous work at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) showcased her talent for building multi-sectoral partnerships and crafting strategic communications. Erica is also a founding board member of The Wendy Martinez Legacy Project, which uplifts Latino women and girls. Her global perspective and dedication to equity make her a powerful advocate for LAYC’s work.
In her free time, Erica enjoys tennis, reading, and spending time with her dog.
Lungi Okoko
Lungi brings a global health lens to the board, currently serving as a Senior Officer at the Gates Foundation. With over 16 years of experience in social impact, digital transformation and health systems governance—including roles at USAID and Canada’s International Development Research Center—, Lungi is a champion of scalable, sustainable solutions. His leadership in innovation and equity aligns perfectly with LAYC’s commitment to holistic youth development.
In his free time, Lungi likes to spend time with his family and friends, play pickup basketball, and watch his sons play soccer with them.
Corey Sesin
Corey is a seasoned financial services executive with over 25 years of experience in treasury and risk management. As Senior Vice President for Balance Sheet Management at Pentagon Federal Credit Union, Corey offers strategic insight into financial stewardship and organizational sustainability. A proud Penn State graduate and dedicated family man, Corey’s values-driven leadership will help guide LAYC’s growth and resilience.
In his free time, he enjoys golfing and traveling.
Ceara N. Flake
Ceara is Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at the National Retail Federation, where she advises on governance and inclusive business practices. Her legal career spans civil rights litigation, academia, and trade associations. Ceara’s commitment to equity and community well-being is evident in her work and volunteerism. With degrees from Georgetown University Law Center and Denison University, she brings both intellect and heart to our board.
In her free time, Ceara loves exploring hidden gems like local farmer markets, shops, and neighborhood parks.
Aiyshen Padilla
Aiyshen is the Global Head Brand Marketing and Engagement, Student Programs at Amazon. She has built her career by taking “the road not taken”—leading transformative initiatives that deliver measurable business impact while improving people’s lives. Recognized as a confident, creative, and results-driven leader, she brings a distinctive blend of strategic vision, marketing and brand expertise, and operational discipline to build and sustain programs and products that endure. Her background spans global marketing, partner engagement, and brand management, equipping her to shape strategies that enhance reputation, expand market presence, and drive growth. With a solutions-oriented, “glass half full” mindset, Aiyshen excels at analyzing complex challenges, fostering collaboration, and delivering innovative strategies that help organizations achieve their goals.
She is a self-proclaimed French fry connoisseur. She has traveled the globe and can tell you where to find the best fries in any city she has visited.
