Luisa Armijo, MSW.
Founder & Advisor
Luisa is known as Mama Bear and the energetic organizing force that developed the chartered Cal Bears in the Desert Alumni Chapter in the Coachella Valley. Luisa brings years of experience as a community organizer, social worker, educator, and tribal librarian working with underserved/underrepresented college-bound youth. All of Luisa’s four children graduated from CAL where she and her husband, Oscar, began to get involved with campus through volunteer and philanthropic activities. Both served on the CAL Parents Board for 14 years, where Luisa was the Southern California Chair. Together, they continue to provide local CAL scholarships, develop mentoring-job opportunities, and foster a Cal network in the Coachella Valley.
Rosemary Bautista, Esq.
President
BA Political Science – Class of ’06
Rosemary’s most fond memories at Cal include the countless all-nighters and study sessions with friends and classmates at Moffit library before midterms and finals. Rosemary currently serves as the Directing Attorney for the Coachella Office of California Rural Legal Assistance, an organization representing and advocating on behalf of farmworkers in Housing, Employment, Education, and Public Benefits.
Maximiliano Ochoa, MPP
Vice-President.
BA Political Science & Ethnic Studies – Class of ’14
Max’s most fond memories at Cal are the long study sessions with friends at Doe Library. Max currently works with California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) as an Agricultural Community Worker assisting the directing attorney in providing resources and legal services to farmworkers. As a community advocate, Max engages with local agencies, organizations, and communities to improve the quality of life for marginalized communities in the Coachella Valley.
Diana Ramirez-Hernandez
Co-Secretary
BA Integrative Biology & Spanish, Class of ’20
Diana’s fondest memories of Cal include being able to walk through Faculty Glade and admiring nature or seeing the Berkeley squirrels everywhere. Diana graduated in May 2020 with a B.A. in Integrative Biology and Spanish. She is a Lab Technician at the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District where she works on surveillance to collect and test mosquitoes for viruses. Diana hopes to encourage young people to pursue higher education and follow their passion.
Nilda Ruiz
Co-Secretary
BA Conservation and Resource Studies, Math and Science Education Minor – Class of ’19
Nilda’s fondest memories at Cal are of rushing to make it to class within Berkeley time, studying abroad in Costa Rica and the fun times she spent with the new friends she made. She currently works as Special Projects Manager at Alianza Coachella Valley where she co-leads communications work and supports the various campaigns at Alianza ranging from community justice to Environmental Justice. She also volunteers with ECV for Change as their Executive Assistant. In her personal and professional work, she encourages community members to organize and advocate for environmental justice and supports youth to pursue higher education.
Chimayo Amijo
Treasurer
Class of ’14
Chimayo Armijo grew up in Palm Desert and graduated from the University of California Berkeley in 2014. He was involved in the Latino Business Student Association and co-founded the Delta Tau Chapter of Phi Gamma Nu co-ed business fraternity. After graduating in 2014, Chimayo worked in a Big Four accounting firm for four years, developing expertise in the healthcare and not-for-profit industries. In 2018, Chimayo began working at Oscar G. Armijo, CPA where he specialized in performing audits and financial reviews of federally qualified health centers and other not-for-profit entities and preparing tax and informational returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, and tax-exempt organizations. Chimayo is a Certified Public Accountant and aims to use his knowledge and skills to help promote sustainable economic development in underserved communities.
Eloisa Lopez Valencia
External Relations
BA Public Health – Class of ’19
Eloisa’s most fond memories at Cal are the memories she made with amazing friends and the opportunity to travel to conferences on the East Coast. Eloisa currently works with Brown University as a research assistant. Eloisa also volunteers with ECV for Change as a Leadership Development Program Manager and with the Cal Alumni Association as Scholarship Chair.
Martin Mercado
Donor Campaign
BA Comparative Ethnic Studies – Class of ’19
Martin’s fondest memories at Cal include the Friday noon rush on Sproul Plaza – full of life and flyering – as well as tailgating on Game Days. Martin is an investor and blockchain advocate hoping to improve the lives of those in his community through philanthropy and community-based initiatives.
Angel Garcia
Membership
BA Environmental Economics and Policy – Class of ’21
Angel’s most fond memories at Cal were finding the best food spots, creating memories with friends, and the countless nights at main stacks studying. Angel currently works at Target in the Corporate Responsibility sector as an operations associate. Angel also serves on UC Berkeley’s LBSA alumni board and volunteers as a tor (mentor) for ECV for Change.
Moisés Moreno-Rivera, M.A.
Parliamentarian
BA Peace & Conflict Studies – Class of ’12
Moisés’ most fond memories at Cal include studying at Café Milano, watching Cal football games, and enjoying the panoramic views of the Bay. In February 2023, Moisés was appointed by Governor Newsom as Deputy Secretary for Environmental Justice, Tribal Affairs, and Border Relations at the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA). He was previously appointed by Governor Newsom as the inaugural Assistant Secretary for Equity and Environmental Justice at the California Natural Resources Agency. He held several roles at the State Water Resources Control Board, within CalEPA, between 2018 and 2021, including Assistant Tribal Liaison and Environmental Justice Specialist. Moreno-Rivera helped institute CalEPA’s Affinity Groups program — an agency-wide effort to create an equitable and inclusive community for historically underrepresented employee groups. In his spare time, you can find him reading at a local coffee shop, admiring and enjoying the outdoors, and spending quality time with family.
Cal Bears in the Desert 