Team Category: Team

David Rezzio, a Salvadoran professional, currently serves as a Digital Organizer at COPAL. He distinguishes himself with his background in management and communication. With experience in audiovisual production and overseeing digital marketing, he has enhanced processes and coordinated marketing strategies. His experience includes roles as a Project Manager and work in the media industry. Additionally, he holds certifications in project management and digital marketing, and possesses skills in various software and communication tools. His versatility and passion for community improvement make him a valuable asset to COPAL.

Danny is a communicator, educator, and passionate advocate for positive change, was born in San Salvador, El Salvador. His journey began with a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences, forming the basis for his lifelong passion for effective communication. He firmly believes in communication as the key to understanding, empathy, and progress. He is a Virtual Navigator at COPAL.

Teaching has been central to his professional life. As an English teacher and coach, he has had the privilege of guiding numerous individuals on their language-learning journey, witnessing the transformative power of education firsthand. Beyond teaching, he has channeled his passion for social work into supporting various organizations in El Salvador.

Outside the realm of education and communication, Danny frequently enjoys cooking, experimenting with new recipes, and spending quality time with loved ones in the kitchen. He values how food brings people together, transcending language barriers and nurturing connections.

His beloved son serves as a constant source of inspiration, motivating him to excel in all his endeavors. His son’s presence continually reminds him of the importance of dedication, perseverance, and ongoing personal growth.

Vivian “Vivi” was born and raised in South Minneapolis. She started studying public health at the University of Washington in Seattle but returned to Minneapolis to be closer to her family during the pandemic. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with her bachelor’s degree in global studies and minors in public health and Spanish. Vivi started as a volunteer with COPAL because she wanted to give back to the Latino and immigrant members of her community. Excited by COPAL’s legislative work and the possibilities of making lasting structural change, she became an intern. After graduating, she joined COPAL’s team because she is dedicated to removing barriers and supporting members of her community to become autonomous, prosperous, and healthy individuals. In her free time, Vivi likes to dance, read, be active, and spend time with her friends. 

Ally Wilson graduated from the College of Saint Benedict with a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic studies and mathematics. She spent half of the past year volunteering in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico with Centro Infantil de Los Angeles—a preschool that provides free high-quality education to families in need. She spent the other half of the year volunteering in Granada, Nicaragua with Opportunity International Nicaragua—a nonprofit focused on ending poverty through community economic development. Her studies and time volunteering developed her passion for enacting positive social change through education. Today, she looks forward to working with COPAL to provide classes that equip people with the proper tools and information to achieve their goals.

Sasha Lewis-Norelle is a contracted organizer providing support for the Frontline Communities Protection Coalition. As a youth environmental and climate justice activist and organizer, he brings a strong commitment to systemic solutions to the climate crisis and environmental racism.

Sasha grew up in Madison, WI, and moved to the Twin Cities for college. He attended Macalester College, where he studied environmental studies with an emphasis on biology. While attending Macalester, Sasha became involved in environmental activism through the school’s divestment campaign. He then went on to support that campaign through several iterations and varying degrees of success. He also became involved in the Sunrise Movement, and the Movement to stop the Line 3 pipeline.

Over the last four years, Sasha has stayed active and involved in a number of local and national environmental justice fights and has worked to develop the skills and knowledge to be an effective community organizer and advocate.

Ryan Pérez is a Chicago-born Boricua and a cultural community organizer, with an emphasis on engaging young people and people of color in the electoral process. Ryan brings expertise in data management, communications technologies, and strategic field organizing to the work of COPAL, developed through leadership roles in political campaigns and nonprofit organizations. By building a movement of people invested in improving themselves and their communities, Ryan believes firmly that human revolution is possible.

Peter was born in Maryland but has lived in Florida, Colorado, and Oregon and finally landed in Mankato, Minnesota. He completed his degree in Biology in Maryland and had originally thought to become a zookeeper working solely with animals. His life took a turn and he served in the Peace Corps in Perú as an Environmental Specialist working alongside communities to empower themselves to take advantage of their natural resources and work together to promote environmental justice and elevate the environmental conscience. After returning from Perú, he received his Master’s in Conservation Leadership and has worked with various organizations doing land management and ecological restoration. He is excited to be working again in community organizing and working within the human dimensions of the environment. His passion is connecting and empowering the Latinx community to take advantage of their political power and unity to fight for environmental justice and equity in South Central Minnesota.

Siri Vorvick is a University of Minnesota junior studying Spanish and urban studies. She has a passion for understanding and living in cities and thinks it is very important to be involved and committed to community, activism, and social justice. She is just starting her journey of working to fight urban environmental injustice, and being involved with COPAL is her first step towards doing so. In addition to being an intern at COPAL, she also works as a chef.

Rosie grew up in Chicago, IL and attended Oberlin College in Ohio before moving to Minneapolis, MN. As a Spanish and Latin American Studies major, she’s interested in understanding and fighting back against the harm the U.S. has caused to Latin America and its peoples. In her free time, she likes to hike, bike, backpack, and spend time with friends around a campfire.

I was born in Oaxaca, Mexico and came to the United States accompanied by my 1-year-old daughter Karla in 2006 to provide her with a better education. I am so grateful to be part of this great team that is COPAL and thereby serve our entire Latino community.