Anil Das
Director
Anil is of European descent and has taken the opportunity to live in many different states, as well as India and Puerto Rico. Anil is a retired software engineer who specialized in sequel servers and database architecture and management. He is proud to utilize his expertise in database and technology to help ensure the UURISE team is connected and their work functions are operating as smoothly as possible. A vegan for the animals and a student of Eastern philosophy, Anil spends his days reading, walking, gardening, and drumming. His passion is music. His wish for all is that they may be safe, peaceful, at ease, healthy, and happy.
Blanca Arias, LCSW
Treasurer
Blanca was born and raised in Los Angeles and is first generation born of Mexican parents. She received her Masters degree in Social Work from UCLA. Her parents and countless relatives came as legal immigrants but several could not come legally. She witnessed their suffering, and this inspired her to seek solutions. Blanca enjoys singing, watercolor painting, reading, dancing, and hiking.
Marisol Clark-Ibáñez, Ph.D.
Director
Dr. Clark-Ibáñez is Peruvian-Irish-American, born in Lima, Perú, and grew up in Northern California. She earned her doctoral in Sociology from the University of California, Davis. Since arriving in North County San Diego as a professor in 2003, she has been honored and humbled to work with community members who are negatively impacted by unjust immigration laws and policies, along with grassroots organizations who are advocating for humane and inclusive immigration reform. Marisol enjoys swimming and aqua aerobics, reading fun novels, laughing with memes (her love language), tending to her succulents, and hanging out with her family.
Nèstor Venegas Zarate
Secretary
Nestor was born and raised in the Valles Centrales of Oaxaca Mexico as a member of the Zapotec people. In 2001, along with his family, he immigrated to Southern California joining his father who worked as a farmworker in the tomato and strawberry fields of Carlsbad, CA. Growing up in North County San Diego, Nestor invested in his community engaging in community organizing and actively participating in immigrant rights work since 2012. As a young organizer, he channeled his love and passion for community into action which included volunteering and working alongside UURISE as a member of the San Diego Dream Team. Nestor believes in the power of community and is honored to support UURISE in a different capacity.
Rev. Tania Márquez
Director
Rev. Tania Y. Márquez is a Mexican immigrant, born in Jalisco, Mexico, and grew up in Tijuana. Rev. Tania describes herself as a fronteriza, since she has spent most of her life in the border region, living in both countries. She earned a MA in Spanish LInguistics and Literature from San Diego State University and an MDiv degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School. Her commitment to immigrant justice comes from her witnessing, first hand, the struggles of immigrants on both sides of the border. Rev. Tania is a full time hospital chaplain. She enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, being out in nature, and learning about the healing properties of plants.