OUR TEAM
COMPASSION IS OUR PASSION
Executive Officers
EMMA SALAMANCA - FOUNDER/CEO
Born and raised in Mexico, Emma Salamanca arrived in the United States in 1984 with a clear vision: to live a life of purpose, impact, and legacy. Every step of her journey has been guided by a deep calling to uplift others and create lasting change. Emma’s mission extends far beyond business. In 2004, driven by compassion and a strong sense of purpose, she founded Haz La Diferencia, a nonprofit organization committed to equipping children, youth, and adults—particularly those from underserved communities—with the skills and opportunities to lead, grow, and thrive. Through education, leadership development, and personal growth initiatives, Haz La Diferencia creates pathways to a future filled with hope and possibility.
CRISTINA LOZA - TREASURER
Cristina Loza is a dedicated administrative professional with over 25 years of experience supporting small businesses through bookkeeping, payroll, and financial reporting. Her reliability, organization, and proactive spirit help ensure that Haz La Diferencia’s resources are managed with care and transparency. As a housewife and mother, Cristina brings a deep understanding of time management and problem-solving to everything she does—both at home and in service of the community. She joined the organization inspired by its commitment to mental health and education, believing that through learning, we can build lasting change for children and families.
VIVIANA SHUI - BOARD MEMBER
Vivian Shui is a clinical laboratory scientist, medical science liaison, and lifestyle medicine coach committed to healing from the inside out. With over 1.7 million blood test reports reviewed, she’s uncovered critical links between poor nutrition and chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, and the hidden effects on both mental health and brain function. Her work has also helped train physicians to look beyond symptoms and identify the root causes of inflammation and imbalance. She’s personally seen how addictive foods don’t just drain energy, cloud focus, and fuel anxiety and depression—they can trigger mood swings, throw off the brain’s signal system (neurotransmitters), and trap people in cycles of pain, inflammation, chronic disease, and impaired cognitive function.
ADRIANA ROSS - INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Adriana Ross is a Costa Rican activist recognized for her tireless work in human rights, mental health, and suicide prevention. With roots in event production and nonprofit collaboration across Latin America, Adriana brings both entrepreneurial vision and deep compassion to every initiative she leads.She currently serves with the Miguel Marín Valenciano Foundation, where she champions mental health programs and policy reform throughout Costa Rica—working closely with legislators and government leaders to drive lasting change. Her outreach spans children, the elderly, survivors of human trafficking, and communities in need of hope and healing.
ARACELI GONZALEZ MATTHEWS - MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
Born and raised in East LA, Araceli Gonzalez Matthews brings over 27 years of experience in child welfare and crisis response to Haz La Diferencia. As a former emergency response worker for the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services, she’s spent decades protecting children and supporting families through some of their most difficult moments. In her previous employment with the Los Angeles Department and Children and Family Services (DCFS) for over 27, she worked in emergency response protecting children and working with families.
Advocates
MICHELLE MEHTA - ADVOCATE
Michelle Mehta is a TEDx speaker, teen confidence expert, and international bestselling author who knows firsthand what it means to overcome unthinkable obstacles. Named one of Yahoo Finance’s “Top 11 Female Coaches to Follow,” Michelle has inspired audiences across the country—including at the US Air Force Academy—with her message of resilience, self-worth, and transformation. She partners with organizations like Morgan Stanley, Mass Mutual, and Wells Fargo to help teens and women rise above peer pressure, bullying, and low self-esteem—empowering them to build confidence and live lives they truly admire.
JAMES HAVEN - ADVOCATE
James Haven is a passionate champion for the defenseless, with decades of experience addressing mental health, child exploitation, and substance abuse on a global scale. As Director of Innovation, he brings bold ideas and deep empathy to Haz La Diferencia’s mission—drawing from personal trauma education and an Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) score of 9 out of 10. James has worked alongside three U.S. Presidential administrations, global leaders, federal agencies, NGOs, and multinational corporations to spotlight the root causes of suffering and advocate for lasting change. He serves as an Honorary Advisor on Global Issues for the Montessori Model United Nations, helping shape conversations around children’s education and mental health worldwide.
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