This is our family, and a bit about each of us.
Hugo Coronado- President
Hugo served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Costa Rica. He graduated from the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala in 1993, as a Doctor of Dental Surgery. He practiced dentistry in Guatemala for 10+ years, and participated in several expeditions to the rural-most parts of Guatemala. During these expeditions, Hugo became a firsthand witness of the dire needs of his countrymen. In 2001, he emigrated to the U.S., with the firm conviction to one day give back to his people. He studied the English language, and became a Board-Certified Dentist in the State of California. In 2015, Hugo fulfilled his dream of creating this organization. Today, he enjoys working at his dental practice, exercising, and meeting people who share his dream to contribute to create a better world.
Ileana Flores de Coronado
Ileana was born and raised in Guatemala City. The youngest of five children, she grew up in a family that strongly believed that education would be the gateway to a better future. She worked as a High School teacher and as a Professor of the English Department in Guatemala for 18 years. She served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Honduras. One year after serving her mission, she was sealed to her husband in the Guatemala City Temple. Ileana has two daughters who she says inspire her to become a better human being. She loves her Savior, Jesus Christ, and hopes to keep being a faithful disciple by serving others in every possible way.
Melissa Coronado
Melissa graduated in 2013 from Brigham Young University-Idaho with a Bachelors degree in Public Health and an emphasis in Nutrition. She studied Biology at Utah Valley University and later Melissa went to study Dentistry in the University of La Salle Bajio in Leon Guanajuato. She graduated with a degree in Dentistry, DDS, in June of 2023. She is now practicing along side her father Hugo in Clovis, California. She is a proud mom to Daniel who is 10 and growing up so fast. Her ultimate goal is to give back with the skills she acquires to the people in Guatemala. She enjoys learning, reading, photography and getting to know the kind people that volunteer with the Association every service project. Melissa serves MVA as a Dentist, project developer, photographer, public relations specialist and along side Christel on social media platforms.
Christel Coronado Fitts
Christel graduated in 2014 from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors degree in Public Health with an emphasis in Health Science and a minor in Political Science. While in college for her undergrad, Christel began to express her love for her home country and culture by participating in Latin Dance club. In December 2021, Christel graduated with a Medical Doctor (M.D.) degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara and is currently an thrid year Internal Medicine Chief Resident at Eastern Idaho Medical Regional Center. Christel is happily married and is motivated to continuing to contribute to her native country and people through these service projects with her family. She currently serves as the MVA as a Doctor, Public Relations Chair and Social Media co-chair.
Lilia Coronado de Guerra
Lilia served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the areas of Polochic, Guatemala. She graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis on social work. Lilia has always loved to teach, and is a firm believer that education can greatly influence one's life for the better. Currently she works as an educational director for a kindergarten-level project. She enjoys spending time with her two children, husband, and extended family.
David Fitts
David served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Sao Paolo, Brazil. After his mission, he graduated with a Bachelors degree in Economics and a minor in Positive Psychology from the University of Utah. While studying at the University of Utah, David was part of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, which focuses on philanthropic fundraising campaigns to further cancer treatment development. David is happily married. He is an avid skier with a great passion for the outdoors. He enjoys spending time with his wife, learning new things, and exploring whatever city he finds himself in.
Salvador Guerra
Salvador graduated with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. He is presently the principal of an elementary school in Guatemala City, and is the administrator of an education initiative. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, and loves to travel to visit his extended family in Los Planes, Guatemala.
Roberto Flores
Roberto is a positive, honest, hard-working, and disciplined person. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. He has two Bachelors Degrees, one in Business Management, and the other in Food Science and Technology, as well as a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. For the past 15 years, he has worked in the development of food science technology, and his research and designs have been implemented across several markets. He is passionate about sports, and trains for triathlons in his spare time. Roberto’s main focus in life is his family, and losing himself in acts of service to others.
Brenelly Flores Arredondo
Brenelly was born and raised in Guatemala and developed a love for learning. She served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Chihuahua Mexico. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors degree in Family Sciences and Human Development with an emphasis in Child Development, and a minor in Gerontology. She is married to her sweetheart and has a six year-old son and a 2 year-old daughter. She is a crossfiter and runner, and is passionate for healthy living and nutrition. She hopes to be able to serve people in her beloved country. She also wants to create awareness of the needs in Guatemala, and motivate others to help this cause.
Michelle Guzman de Flores
Michelle is a dedicated, hard-working, and loving person, and she has four children. She has a Bachelors Degree in Business Management, and directs a company dedicated to selling products to the food industry. She enjoys baking and making sweets, and has a remarkable ability to create personalized cakes for different events. She has been successful in maintaining her husband and family as her priority and she credits this success to her love for her Heavenly Father and those around her. She also finds passion in practicing Functional Training every day, which helps her set goals and overcome challenges. She loves being of service and giving love to all.
Telma and Leonard Teters
Leonard served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Guatemala. He was raised in Oklahoma by an American father and a Guatemalan mother. Leo has a Bachelors Degree in Languages, and is a musician and writer. He has a love for the outdoors, and is an avid skier. For the past 22 years, Leo has worked as a real estate appraiser. His motivation in this organization is to help the people of Guatemala in honor of his mother, Yolanda Paz.
Telma served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. She studied Science in Communication for four years at the Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala. She married her husband, Leonard, and immigrated to the U.S. before completing her thesis. Telma is a real estate agent in Logan Utah, and is a mother of three. As an immigrant, she strives to teach her children the importance of their Hispanic heritage. Her motivation in being part of this organization is to serve the less fortunate. Telma enjoys dancing, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Jose Coronado
José served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the areas of Polochic, Guatemala. He graduated from the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala with a degree in Agricultural Engineering, and upon graduating, he worked for ten years in the rural areas of Guatemala as a social developer. Presently, he works for the educational system of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as an auditor and surveyor of the seminary program. He is a photographer, hiker, fluent in the Mayan language of Qeqchí, and a lover of the indigenous cultures of Guatemala.
Mayra and Jorge Flores
Jorge was born and raised in Guatemala City to goodly parents who taught him true gospel principles from a young age. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1998 he was sealed in the Guatemala City temple to his wife, Mayra Coronado Vargas and together they have raised three gorgeous children. Jorge has studies in Business Administration and Education Administration. He works for Seminaries and Institutes of Religion. He joined the association for the love of his wife and in-laws and the desire to serve the less fortunate.
Mayra was born in san Cristobal, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, and raised in Guatemala City. She served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Mayra graduated as a Bilingual Secretary and studied English in the U.S. for one year. She has wored as a translator and an English teacher. She was sealed to her husband in the Guatemala City Temple in 1998, and they have three children. She enjoys being with her family and working with children and youth.. Mayra loves to teach and serve others in need.
Magleny de Coronado
Magleny graduated with a Bachelors of Science as a Certified Public Accountant. She has worked as a businesswoman with different companies, and has enjoyed learning about importing goods from other countries into Guatemala. She is a sports enthusiast and loves practicing taekwondo and long-distance running. She likes being part of this association because it helps her give back to the community.
Herberth Coronado
Herberth expressed love for his country and culture from a young age, as he participated in the Guatemalan National Academy of Dance. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in El Salvador, and later graduated with a Bachelors degree in Computer Science. He accomplished his dream of becoming a culinary expert upon graduating as an International Chef from Guatemala's Chef's Center School. He currently lives in Wisconsin with his wife and two daughters. As a member of this association, he looks forward to blessing the lives of others through acts of service.
Julieta de Coronado
Julieta gained an appreciation and love for teaching from the example of her primary school teachers. She worked hard to pay for her own schooling, and graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She developed the desired to study Special Needs Education when her first nephew was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. Julieta then obtained a second Bachelors Degree in Psychopedagogy and a Master's Degree in Special Needs Education. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two daughters, and works as a Dual Immersion teacher. Her motivation for working with this organization is a hope that in helping Guatemalan families, she will contribute to providing better opportunities for her fellow countrymen and women
Daniel Johnson is one of the youngest members of the association. Together with his grandfather he organized the veterinary service project which is recently part of the health initiative of the association. Two years ago, Daniel asked how come the association didnt have plan or strategy where we help the animals of Santa Maria Cahabon? Last year in 2023, we invited the school of Veterinary from the college of San Carlos de Guatemala. The volunteers and professionals that came with us, vaccinated and visited many people who own and produce animals as a way of living. The students from the university along with their professor, aided many in implementing new feeding techniques, checking the animals’ health and gathered information about raising practices as well as the materials used and needed in the area. The Veterinary school of USAC is looking forward to being part of the health missions every year.