In May, the Board of the School of Arts and Culture at MHP appointed Tamara Alvarado as Executive Director. In her new role, Tamara is responsible for stewarding the vision of the Mexican Heritage Plaza as a vibrant center of creative activity and cultural experiences for the community. View the featured posting on theSilicon Valley Business Journal. From 2003 to 2008 she served as Executive Director of MACLA/ Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana in San Jose, California. From 1999 – 2003 she served as Program Director for the newly opened Washington United Youth Center, a partnership between Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County and the City of San Jose. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Western State Arts Federation and President of the Board of Directors for ACE Charter Schools in the Mayfair neighborhood of San Jose. Tamara is also co-founder of the Multicultural Arts Leadership Insititute, a leadership development program for people of color working in arts, culture and entertainment. A traditional Aztec dancer for the past 13 years, she is a member of Calpulli Tonalehqueh Danza Azteca of San Jose. Originally from Escondido, CA, Tamara holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Literature from Stanford University.