Our Team

Executive Director
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Dr. Stover is a Sociologist with deep commitment to address inequality and social justice.  As a leader, she is passionate about discovering what makes people tick. She seeks to gather passion with talents to build stronger communities. Lina says that leadership is about motion:  "It is the active and intentional effort to build relationships, communicate with compassion, and collaborate patiently.” Dr. Stover is also a mom and an educator: "learning is social, we do it best when we process with others.”

Director of Programming & Training
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As Director of Programs and Training, Janeth wears many hats for Heartland Workers Center. Having joined our team in 2022, Janeth provides organization-wide support, oversees all organizers, and ensures that they have the training, tools, and skill set to deploy community programs effectively.

Janeth likes to say she “grew up everywhere.” She was born in California but moved to Mexico as a child, before eventually coming to Council Bluffs when she was 15. Her experiences support and guide her work as we provide services to immigrants, Spanish-speakers and minorities in the area.

Outside of work, Janeth enjoys music, photography and dance and uses these hobbies to share her culture and learn about others. Janeth loves nature and being outdoors with her kids—whether that means she’s at the playground or going for a run, she enjoys the little moments.

Advocacy and Organizer Manager
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As our Advocacy and Organizer Manager, Raul Muñoz oversees all of Heartland Workers Center’s community organizing efforts. In addition to leading our team of Community Organizers, he also works in conjunction with city and state legislators to lobby for issues important to our organization.

Originally from Lima, Peru, where Raul obtained his bachelor degree in Law and Political Science to then pass the bar examination to become a Lawyer and work for six years as an attorney in Lima Peru, before moving to Omaha to study Business Administration. He joined our team as a Community Organizer in 2018.

In his free time, Raul loves running and hiking and being outdoors.

Health and Safety Training Institute Manager
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Penélope León began working as the OSHA-authorized Health & Safety Trainer with the Heartland Workers Center in 2014, and has provided more than 800 hours of training. She has been working in workplace safety and health for more than 20 years for a variety companies. 

Born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico, she moved to the United States in 1991. She has a B.A. in Communications with a major in Journalism from the Universidad Ibero Americana in Mexico City and is a proud Mexican and American citizen. She has a deep passion for helping workers better understand their rights and responsibilities in order for workers to be productive and return home happy and healthy to their families.

Senior Organizer
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Luis is originally from Peru, where he earned a Bachelor degree in Journalism and Public Relations from the University of San Martin de Porres in Lima. He moved to New York with his family in 1992, until winds of change made their way to Schuyler, NE in 1995. 

He has been involved with the Schuyler community for several years, promoting inclusion, social integration, and a welcoming environment for all. Luis has previously worked for the Peruvian Police Department, in food processing and production plants, provided labor service for rural areas poultry farms as contractor, insurance agent, as well as Human Resources Specialist for several years. He enjoys cooking, traveling, going to live concerts, soccer games and gardening.

Community Organizer
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Andrea was born in Bogota, Colombia. Andrea is a proud naturalized American Citizen who lives in Nebraska City. Andrea moved to the United State in 2010 and lives in Nebraska City. She started working as a community organizer for the Heartland Workers Center, after she worked at Cargill for ten years. 

Her family is made up of her domestic partner, two children and three grandchildren, enjoys being with her family, she loves gardening and helping the community at the same time. Her goal is to seek to break down language barriers and be a bridge for the Hispanic community.

Community Organizer
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As a Community Organizer in South Omaha, Perla focuses on creating change that ensures every voice is heard. Perla is an instrumental part of Heartland Workers Center having volunteered for four years prior to her current role. Previously, she was a program coordinator with the Hispanic Art Center of Omaha.

Originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, Perla graduated in 2019 with her GED from the Latino Center of the Midlands and is studying social work at Metropolitan Community College. Self-care is important to Perla; she grounds herself through nature, music, and dance. Whether it’s playing with her grandchildren, fur baby, or caring for her plants, she strives to enjoy every moment.

Community Organizer
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Antonio is originally from Guatemala. He arrived in the United States in 2001 and graduated high school in 2016. Antonio is trilingual, speaking K'iche' (a Mayan dialect), Spanish, and English. He also serves as an interpreter. Before working at the Heartland Workers Center, Antonio had a position as Quality Control at a pork processing plant in Fremont, Nebraska.

In addition to working full-time for the HWC, Antonio is attending Metro Community College to become a certified interpreter. Antonio affirms that "the only way to do great work is to love what you do."

Community Organizer
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Dolores Ramirez is our Community Organizer in West Point, Nebraska, where she connects her community to educational opportunities including ESL and GED classes. She officially joined the Heartland Workers Center team in 2021 after volunteering with our organization for two years. Dolores believes that helping people voice their concerns and be heard is the most important part of her job. 

Originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, Dolores says she did not have much access to education growing up but is now a devoted student. She recently earned her GED and plans to continue her education. Outside of work, Dolores loves to read, photography, and helps direct her church choir.

Community Organizer
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Rosa Pinto is a Community Organizer in Columbus, Nebraska, focusing on community building and connecting people with resources. Growing up in Peru, her mother taught her to serve the community, assisting anybody who needed help. When Rosa moved to the U.S., she brought that same service mindset to Columbus.

In her role at Heartland Workers Center, Rosa brings extensive experience as an Immigration Legal Assistant and Certified Medical Interpreter. She is President of the Head Start Committee at Central Nebraska Community Center and volunteers with parent-teacher organizations in Columbus. In her free time, Rosa enjoys spending time with her children in their activities and making DIY crafts. She especially loves crocheting and designing jewelry.

Policy Fellow
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Jaden Perkins is a politically-seasoned young professional specializing in coalition building and grassroots activism. He was born and raised in Omaha and graduated from Omaha South High Magnet School in 2018. During high school, Jaden found a passion for politics & public service. He went on to serve as President of South High’s Gay-Straight Alliance and sat on adolescent advisory boards for One World & Planned Parenthood. Most recently, Jaden worked as a Field Organizer for various candidates that ran for Congress, Mayor, City Council, & County Attorney.

As Heartland Workers Center’s new North Omaha Community Organizer, Jaden will bring his amazing energy and extensive background knowledge to build consensus around the issues that impact working-class communities the most.

Senior Community Organizer GOTV
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Jackie began as a volunteer with the Heartland Workers Center as a canvasser in South Omaha during the 2016 presidential election. The experience of speaking with the community about the importance of voting and the power of raising our voice had such a great impact on her that she decided to work at the polls on election day. Jackie joined the HWC staff in 2023 as our Senior Organizer for the Get Out The Vote campaign. She is passionate about reaching the community and showing them how much impact their voice has. She is also a deputy registrar and has testified at the legislature on issues important to the community.

Born and raised in Panama City, Panama, she moved to the US in 2003. Jackie holds a BS in Architecture from the University of Panama. Jackie likes to say that she used to build houses and now she builds relationships between the community and their representatives.

In her free time, Jackie likes socializing and dancing. She enjoys going to the beach and spending time with friends and family.

Board Chair/President

Board Secretary

Board Treasurer

Board Member

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