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NewPublica was founded in 2014 by Alberto Monserrate and Melisa Lopez Franzen as a way for government agencies, companies, organizations, and nonprofits to reach multicultural audiences. Since its inception, NewPublica has become the preferred firm for multicultural communications consulting in Minnesota. The work that is done encompasses and utilizes diversity, engagement, and creativity. NewPublica has developed long-term, mutually-beneficial relationships with members of BIPOC communities that have allowed the company to be both recognizable and trustworthy.
We are a proudly diverse team with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, skills, and talents. We’re excited for the opportunity to work with you!
Expertise: Alberto is a leading authority on multicultural communications and marketing in Minnesota. As the CEO and co-founder of Latino Communications Network (LCN), now NewPublica, he produced the weekly Spanish newspaper La Prensa de Minnesota and the weekly Spanish publication Vida y Sabor. LCN also operated 24-hour Spanish radio stations 1400 and 1470 AM La Invasora between 2005 and 2013. Alberto is a seasoned expert on marketing to the Latino community and is a regular commentator in the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, Minnesota Public Radio, and other Minnesota business media. Alberto was elected to the Minneapolis School Board in 2010, serving as chair from 2012 to 2014. He is the former board chair of Hiawatha Academies, served on the founding boards of KIPP Minnesota and Twin Cities Academy, and served on the board of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association and the advisory editorial board of Minnesota Business Magazine.
Professional Work: Radisson Hotels International, Ameriprise Financial, Wells Fargo Advisors, Latino Communications Network, Minnesota Senate
Expertise: Carmen is a versatile leader and relationship builder with cross-functional, multicultural, and international experience in various industries, including technology, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, government, and hospitality. She has corporate experience in engineering, marketing, operations management, and sales. Carmen has also worked in non-profit team leadership roles focusing on the advancement of communities of color. At NewPublica, her passion for making meaningful connections throughout the community not only shines through in her work but enhances the opportunities for current and future generations.
Professional Work: Xerox Corporation, Patrice & Associates Hospitality Recruiting
Edwin Torres DeSantiago is a seasoned political strategist with over a decade of experience in electoral and issue campaigns at local, state, and national levels. Born in El Salvador and raised in Los Angeles, Edwin became the first in his family to earn a college degree. Known for building authentic relationships and alliances, Edwin has driven historic victories, serving as a key member of the leadership teams behind successful campaigns for prominent Minnesota figures like Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, Senator Tina Smith, and Senator Amy Klobuchar. Edwin brings public, nonprofit, and private sector experiences with an organizer mindset.
As Vice President of Public Affairs at NewPublica, Edwin shapes effective legislative and political initiatives. He holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and will be the first undocumented immigrant and DACA recipient to pursue a Ph.D. there. He serves on several boards, including the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, COPAL MN, FairVote MN, and Good Trouble. Edwin lives in the western metro suburbs with his partner Ricardo and their two Shih Tzus, Snoopy and Mochi.
Expertise: Kat is a compassionate political engager who loves to connect with people and create solutions. She has a background in electoral organizing and community engagement. She has worked on three successful campaigns that helped win elections for Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, US Senator Tina Smith, and Attorney General Keith Ellison. In addition, she has experience working with international high school students with academic success. As a first-generation Hmong American, Kat is goal-oriented, has a drive for advocacy and authentic representation. She hopes to use her experience to bring light to stories that have historically been marginalized and continue to build bridges across communities. In her free time, she enjoys baking and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Professional Work: Walz-Flanagan for Minnesota, Tina Smith for Minnesota, Amerigo Education, Keith Ellison for Minnesota Attorney General
Expertise: Marian has over a decade of experience in event planning and managing events producing galas, conferences, festivals, and fashion shows both locally and internationally. She has managed large-scale events, including Taco Tour on Lake Street, Minneapolis Cinco de Mayo, and the Lake Street Festival, attracting thousands of participants. At NewPublica, Marian utilizes her experience in marketing to exceed client expectations of high-impact events execution and community engagement. She also manages the publication, distribution, and interpersonal communication within NewPrensa Media.
Professional Work: Utku LLC, Latino Communications Network, Gente de Minnesota
Expertise: Jorge has more than 20 years of experience in the creative process of visual design, including website development, graphic design, branding, photography, and video production. He has worked with a wide range of agencies and organizations, from small businesses to leading non-profits. He has been involved with social projects, the creation of visual campaigns, the development of annual reports, rebrandings, and website creation and redesign. At NewPublica, he creates designs for newspapers, magazines, and social media, as well as builds functional, user-friendly websites. Jorge understands each client’s unique needs and has a passion for projects that generate social impact. Jorge is a wealth of knowledge about design, and his expertise in reaching diverse communities serves NewPublica’s mission to connect to new voices and new audiences.
Professional Work: Latino Communications Network, Jorge Amerigo LLC
Expertise: Kathryn is an experienced communications professional with several years in journalism as a reporter, anchor, and producer. She has worked at major news stations WCCO, CBS Denver, KVRR and in prime cities such as Los Angeles, Denver, Fargo, and Minneapolis. As a detail-oriented storyteller, Kathryn is keen to learn more about people from all walks of life and lived experiences ranging from sports to public health. As the Communications and Digital Manager, Kathryn brings her expertise, passion, and enthusiasm to effectively achieve goals. On her free time, she enjoys exercising, reading, and cooking.
Professional Work:
WCCO, CBS Denver, KVVR, ESPN
Expertise: Nick is a firestarter, initiating and leading strategic communication projects from a culturally responsive lens. With a background in critical qualitative methodologies and health communication, he’s excited to connect ideas and communities in ways that uplift and inspire. He has a process-oriented brain, is a big believer in growth mindset and is a big softie for stories and narratives that serve greater missions of inclusion, representation, and systemic justice. Nick aims to provide engaging, research-based approaches, strategies and deliverables to clients as they navigate their unique challenges. When not on the clock, you can find him on a beach somewhere dodging the Minnesota winter or playing in queer recreational sports leagues. He lives in Minneapolis with his partner.
Client Experience: Walmart, Ecolab, University of Minnesota Foundation, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Mitsubishi Power Americas, National Opinion Research Council at University of Chicago, Magellan Health, Riverside Research, Callan, Central Arkansas Water
Expertise: Hamza is a results-oriented accounting professional with broad experience in a deadline‑driven environment. He has a proven track record in consistently and effectively delivering accounting services that enhance the company’s purpose and profitability. At NewPublica, Hamza demonstrates his experience in reconciliations, AP/AR, reporting, P&L analysis, and the management of general accounting functions.
Professional Work: Kaah Express, Jones Lang La Salle
Expertise: Ivan Torres is a dedicated Urban and Regional Planner passionate about design, land use, advocacy and inclusive practices. With a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and Bachelors Degrees in Environmental Design and Architecture, Ivan stands out as a professional who has tackled complex urban challenges while simultaneously integrating underrepresented communities in all stages of planning and development. His commitment to the betterment of infrastructure and community is exemplified through his meticulous work as a Foreman for Tor-Ver Hardscapes where he was in charge of designing landscapes, stakeholder relationships, compliance, and managing project budgets. In addition to his robust education and experiences, he is competent in various applications such as GIS applications, Adobe, Rhino 3D, Enscape 3D, STATA, and so much more. Throughout his career, Ivan has proven to be an expert capable of seeing the larger picture without missing key details.
Expertise: Mateo is a passionate and dedicated learner with experience in digital design, social strategy, and communications. At NewPublica, Mateo actively contributes to and collaborates on projects spanning multiple sectors and has the remarkable ability to adapt to ever-changing needs to deliver work exceeding expectations. Through his academic pursuits at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his personal ventures, he has cultivated a wide range of skills across various mediums, including graphic design, video production, copywriting, and marketing strategies.
Professional Work: Minneapolis Parks & Recreation Board, Recreation & Wellbeing – University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ebelin is a visual arts professional with experience in social media management and sociology. Ebelin brings her passion for creativity and community to each project and utilizes her past experience in grassroots organizing whenever she can. At NewPublica, Ebelin works alongside various organizations to ensure that their marketing goals are understood and that their audience is reached effectively.
Professional Work: American Friends Service Committee
Expertise: Sandra determines the best course of action and seeks the best solutions for our client’s advertising needs by utilizing her solutions-oriented mindset and interpersonal communication skills. At NewPublica, she executes the purchases of advertisement spaces by understanding clients’ marketing goals and target audiences. She works hard to maintain relationships with a variety of publications to ensure our clients are able to receive the media space they need. Sandra is also in charge of keeping our Latino Communications Network, both online and printed publications, relevant, engaging, and fun.
Professional Work: Latino Communications Network, Pamela Coleman Office of Eurology, Justo Gonzalez Office of Eurology.
Expertise: Sami is a political strategist, young professional and recent graduate of Macalester College, where he studied Political Science and Classical History. He has amassed multiple cycles of campaign experience at local, state, and national levels. He has managed, been in leadership, and chaired several successful local campaigns in Saint Paul, including Uriah Ward for School Board, John Choi for Ramsey County Attorney, and two of the recent historic Saint Paul City Council Campaigns. He has also served in numerous local and state leadership roles in the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. Sami has gained policy experience interning in the Office of Congresswoman Betty McCollum focusing on human rights issues and foreign affairs, and in the Office of Mayor Melvin Carter working on communications. Sami has an interest both in campaign and official-side work in coalition building to bring people together around important issues. In his academic interests, Sami has pursued research in Lebanon, and is a published scholar in Lebanese constitutionalism and sectarianism. In addition to his astounding achievements, Sami is passionate about college access and sits on the Board of Directors for Breakthrough Twin Cities. In his free time, he enjoys cycling and traveling.
Miguel is a bilingual Public Engagement Coordinator with a strong background in community advocacy, customer service, and multicultural outreach. Growing up on Saint Paul’s Westside, he was immersed in a vibrant, diverse community that shaped his commitment to building connections across cultural and social lines. His work as a Community Recreation leader with City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation allowed Miguel to further his mission to bolster community unity. There, he led efforts to develop dozens of programs for community members and collaborated with local organizations to amplify that work, helping to bridge the gap between the city’s diverse residents.
Miguel also worked as a field organizer with Working America AFL-CIO, where he executed voter registration drives that boasted impressive results, driving an increase in civic engagement. Along with his political advocacy work, his experience in community organizing continued through his efforts with the Westside Community Organization (WSCO) which he served as a board member and left his tenure as co-chair of the board.
Miguel’s work has always been focused on fostering inclusion, bridging language barriers, and empowering underserved communities. Additionally, his experience in marketing and customer service has increased his engagement capabilities, as he has developed a deep understanding of how effective communication and teamwork can lead to success.
At NewPublica, Miguel will help lead strategy, research and thorough engagement for all urban planning projects. By continuing to promote equity and collaboration, he is well equipped to connect with community members on engagement efforts that include bettering their streets, parks, highways, bridges or roads.
Expertise: Luis is a business and community leader with over fifteen years of experience in marketing and strategy in multiple global companies. He has worked in the U.S. and Latin America, creating strategic marketing plans and leading cross-functional teams for successful market introductions. Luis has experience in multiple industries, including manufacturing, food, food service, education, and financial services. He has a passion for talent development and building new team skills and capabilities. Luis has built strong relationships with multiple communities and has collaborated with numerous colleges and universities, schools, and non-profit organizations to create professional opportunities for people from various diverse communities. Luis leads the largest team at NewPublica, ensuring that collaboration, communication, and creativity are at the forefront of each project.
Professional Work: Cummins Engine, Ecolab, General Mills, Land O’Lakes, GE
Expertise: Orion loves people and languages. He is fluent in English, Spanish, French, and German and knows words and phrases in multiple other languages. His unique ability to retain and understand languages is unmatched. At NewPublica, Orion helps review and edit articles for Latino Communications Network publications. He is focused, engaged, and loves working and collaborating with others!
Professional Work: Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), Kaposia.
2909 Bryant Ave S, Suite 301
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-729-5900
2909 Bryant Ave S, Suite 301
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-729-5900
