WFWPI honors 20 global Ambassadors for Peace in 2025 UN Peace Day celebration
By Marivir R. Montebon
Union, NJ - Ria Serrano is no stranger to receiving community accolades as a leader in the Filipino American circles in New York and New Jersey. Lately, she received the Global Woman Ambassador for Peace award, along with 19 others, by the global nonprofit Women’s Federation for World Peace International.
The awardees of the Global Ambassador for Peace for 2025 Peace Day celebrations. Seated (l-r): Clarisa Romero, Priscilla Garces, Dr. Beth Maranzzini, Ingrid Echeverria, Esq., Aida Bartolome, and Merly Barlaan. Standing (l-r): Maria Garces, Amb. Mario de Leon Jr., Max Pizzaro, Ria Serrano, Dr. Marielos de Rueda, Dr. Fernando Munoz, Tarisse Iriarte, Rosie Chawla, Dr. Michael Akintayo, and Guillermo Reina.
Ria Serrano of PACCAL
“It’s an honor to have the ambassador for peace award. It’s a challenge to live up with it,” she said in our conversation during the Peace Day celebration on September 20, 2025. Hosted by Kean University, the cultural event was held at the sun-drenched modern facility of its STEM building at the Union Township. It reaffirmed commitments to work for peace, justice, and prosperity for all, and a day of highlighting leadership and culture.
Serrano is the current executive director of the PanAmerican Concerned Citizens Action League. She had been a software project manager in technology company in Manhattan and former New Jersey state president of the Junior Chamber International before going full-time as a nonprofit executive.
The global Ambassadors for Peace were appointed in time for the celebration of the UN International Day of Peace, in recognition of their track record of peace building and enabling leadership in their professions and communities.
Merly Barrete Barlaan, UN Relations director for WFWPI, said during her welcome remarks that peace starts from within the person and radiate towards his/her family and community. She highlighted the education programs of WFWPI which focuses on character development of leaders to be responsible parents and leaders of the community.
Mother-daughter tandem Maria and Priscilla Garces
Organized mainly by mother daughter tandem Maria De Lourdes Guevara and Priscilla M. Garces, both UN Representatives of WFWP, the Peace Day celebration was a success, with an attendance of more than a hundred people and amazing cultural performances by the Latino community. It was hosted by journalist and UN representative Marivir Montebon.
Co-organizers were the Ecuadorian Foundation for Social Support, Always Forward, and the JCI North Jersey chapter, Calm & Mindful, the Ecuadorian Business Chamber, and Punto de Encuentro Internacional/Patricia Bullon.
The Global Ambassadors for Peace
Dr. Michael Akintayo, Ph.D., Aida Bartolome, Rosie Chawla, Rosie Echevarria, Esq., Tarisse Iriarte, Dr. Beth Maranzzini, Dr. Diego Fernando Munoz, Guillermo Reina, Max Pizzaro, Clarisa Romero, Dr. Marielos de Rueda, and Ria Serrano.
Dr. Michael Akintayo, Ph.D.
Dr. Akintayo is the coordinator for the NYC - Tuberculosis Bureau’s TST Surveillance and Infection Control Program
He is an ordained pastor and district secretary of Christ Apostolic Church Agbala-Itura DCC New York and the recipient of the U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award (2022) and the Presidential Volunteer Service Medallion (2023) for his education and humanitarian work.
Aida Bartolome is a life-long advocate and leader in the promotion of Filipino arts and culture in the East Coast. She founded the Foundation for Filipino Artists, Inc.
Rosie Chawla is the director of Global Education Projects & Partnerships at the UNESCO Center for Peace. She is also an Associate at Columbia University and an organizational and financial development expert.
Ambassador for Peace Rosie Chawla (seated) as a peace panelist. Marivir Montebon hosted the Peace Day cultural event.
Ingrid Echevarria, Esq. is a nationally recognized Immigration and family attorney and a recipient of the national award for human rights promotion.
Immigration attorney Ingrid Echeverria with Amb. Mario de Leon.
Tarisse Iriarte is an international art curator and advisor based in Brooklyn. With her Cuban and Puerto Rican heritage, she curates exhibits that contextualize the intersections of contemporary diasporan art and Black visual culture across a socio-political landscape.
Dr. Beth Maranzzini, who is of Dominican Republic descent, is a social justice advocate, and award-winning philanthropist, public speaker, writer and book author. She is the National Network Strategy & Programs Director and National Programing chair of SOMOS BRG at Elevance Health.
NJ Commissioner of Hispanic Affairs Dr. Diego Fernando Munoz is another Global Peace Ambassador awardee. He currently works as Legislative Aide to Councilman Michael J. Silva and is the president of the Ecuadorian American Chamber of Commerce NJ. He is the president of the Ecuadorian Parade and Festival of NJ and currently owner and director of Latino Street news.
Guillermo Reino is the Supervisor/Principal Intern at Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School. He also teaches Spanish. He is an adjunct ESL faculty member at Raritan Valley Community College who integrated the UN SDG Goals into K–12 curricula. He is the author of Control de la Calidad.
Max Pizzaro is a seasoned and award-winning reporter and editor. He was an NJ Press Association First Place Winner and recognized by The Washington Post as one of the top political reporters in New Jersey.
He co-founded the InsiderNJ, a nonpartisan website dedicated to political news in NJ. He ensures that InsiderNJ remains the leading trusted source for political news in the Garden State.
Clarisa Romero, career counselor
Clarisa Romero with Puerto Rican heritage is a Career Success Coach. She founded the Career Satisfaction Academy where she works as CEO.
Romero is a two-time best-selling author of The Fearless Entrepreneur and El Emprendedor Intrépido. She created The Mindful Planner – Hack Your Day for Productivity and co-authored multiple inspirational anthologies. She is Associate Producer of Deepak Chopra’s The Mindfulness Movement film and has been featured in numerous international media outlets.
Dr. Marielos de Rueda is a Guatemalan human rights advocate, professor, and certified public accountant. She is a lifelong advocate for women, children, and persons with disabilities. She leads humanitarian initiatives as president of the Lions Club Guatemala Reforma and the Guatemala Chapters of G100 (Mentorship & Human Rights).
She has also held honorary leadership roles with the Benevolent Committee for the Blind and Deaf and the National Office for Women and participates actively in the Women Economic Forum.
The Global Youth Ambassadors for Peace
The Global Youth Ambassador for Peace was accorded to Charlene Mae Bornea, Diana Calle, Sasha Chiriboga, Nicolas Maya, Patrick Penafiel, Rachel Beth Tamayo, Lisbeth Torres, and Emily Vaca.
L-R: Priscilla Garces, Maria Garces, Patrick Penafiel, Rachell Beth Tamayo, Emily Vaca, Charlene Mae Bornea, Amb. Mario de Leon Jr., Merly Barlaan, Diana Calle, mom of Lisbeth Torres, Sasha Chiriboga, and Nicolas Maya.
Charlene Mae Bornea is a certified public accountant, entrepreneur, and a youth leader at the UNLEASH Innovation Lab which brings together top global talents to create solutions to the Sustainable Development Goals.
“I felt humbled and empowered because of this award. I am leading an empowerment project for women and youth in Bohol back in 2017 and UNLEASH Hack USA. I am inspired to do more and renewed my commitment to build bridges and lift the underserved communities,” Bornea said.
Diana Calle is the co-founder of the Young Women Foundation in NJ and director for the Union County’s Office of Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs. She is a Board Member of the Kean University Alumni Association, a HISPA Role Model, and a member of the League of Women Voters and Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc.
Calle is recognized by Front Runner New Jersey/La Prensa as one of the 30 Under 35 Young Top Latino Leaders (2021) and by Negocios Now as one of the 40 Under 40 Latinos (2022).
Of Ecuadorian descent, Sasha Chiroboga is a new graduate of B.S. Politics & International Affairs at Furman University. She has extensive experiences in community outreach, crime analysis, and human resources and marketing. She speaks Spanish and English, proficient in French, and proficient in Citrix Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, Excel, and SSPS.
Nicolas Maya is an Engineering student at Mercer County Community College who maintains a 4.0 GPA while actively engaging in extracurricular activities, including the Finance Club. He hosts a radio show that blends country music with real estate insights.
Maya is the assistant to the President of the Latino Spirit. Beyond his own physical limitations, he is a student/community leader for people with special needs.
A brilliant student at Seton Hall University, Patrick Penafiel also has talents in music and sports. His service record is also significant. He holds the rank of Sergeant with New Jersey Cops 4 Kids, guiding younger members and coordinating county-wide service projects.
Penafiel volunteers in patient care at Clara Mass Medical Center, assists the Newark Police Explorers, supports Newark council community events, and helps with Ecuadorian and Latino entrepreneur gatherings. His leadership and dedication have earned numerous awards, including the President’s Volunteer Service Award (Gold) and multiple city recognitions.
“It is truly an honor to be named a Young Ambassador for Peace. This is both humbling and inspiring as it allows me to serve as a voice and role model working toward a more peaceful world. I believe that peace begins with empathy, respect, and compassion. We act on the belief that every person deserves to be treated equally and to live free from fear and hardship,” said Penafiel in a written reflection of the Peace Ambassador award.
Rachel Beth Tamayo is a certified Industrial and Organizational Development specialist. She is a WFWPI UN Representative, leading initiatives in youth and women’s empowerment.
She serves as president of JCI North Jersey chapter.
Lisbeth Torres is a student at Temple University, taking up B.S. Architecture. She participated in financial mentorship programs, including the “Road to Wall Street” program with Prudential, and has contributed as a peer tutor at Science Park High School, supporting younger students academically and personally. She is active in campus organizations such as Delta Phi Epsilon and Temple Habitat for Humanity.
Emily Vaca, student leader at Seton Hall University
Ecuadorian descent Emily Vaca is a community activist and student leader at the Seton Hall University - School of Diplomacy & International Relations. Aside from being consistently on top of her class, she is deeply engaged in leadership, activism, and service. She is Brownson Speech and Debate competitor, active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, leader for multiple cultural and professional organizations, including the Language and Culture Club, Prospanica, Minority Pre-Law Society, and the Palestinian Student Association.
High level officials keynote the event
NJ State Senator Joseph Cryan (D) was in attendance, as one of the keynote speakers. He emphasized the need for tolerance in the public sphere to achieve peace, especially in the public sphere in America these days. “Listening, respecting, and debating as a necessary element of tolerance to achieve peace,” he said.
Cryan is the chairperson of the NJ Senate Committee on higher education and the vice chairperson on the committee on commerce and joint committee on public education. He has served the Senate since 2018.
Retired Philippine ambassador Mario Lopez de Leon Jr. spoke of the leadership of inclusion and dialogue in communities in his posts in Belfast and South Africa. He said peace and prosperity are on the same side of the coin. On the ground, what matters is people to people engagement and partnerships.
L-R: Amb. Mario de Leon Jr., Sen. Joseph Cryan, Amb. Carlos Garcia Gonzales, Merly Barlaan, and Craig Coughlin
Retired El Salvador ambassador to the UN Amb. Carlos Garcia Gonzales offered a fresh insight into the situation of his country, that peace finally started there after several years of turmoil.
The El Salvadorian government, he said, has prioritized the right of people to life, hence securing the safety of everyone. Peace has been experienced for over a thousand days for the first time in many years.
A colorful display of art and culture
There was a profuse display of art and culture during the event by the Ecuadorian dance troupe, the Balcon Andino, and the Latin Girl Dancers.
Classical pianist Hyowon Barlaan, played Home and Rachmaninoff's Prelude in G Minor, an advanced piece of classical music.
Brother-sister duet Shinwon and Jasmine Barlaan sang Where Peace Begins. Soprano Pallavi Seth warmed the afternoon with her magnificent aria.
Ambassador for Peace RN Menchu de Luna Sanchez with some dancers of Balcon Andino.
Artist Lorena Ramos
Visual artists Lorena Ramos and Gonzalo Tayo Silva (Gotasi) exhibited some of their masterpieces that day and donated two beautiful artworks to WFWPI. Gotasi created a portrait of Barlaan which was given as a surprise that afternoon.
The program also featured the Bridge of Peace ceremony, facilitated by the WFWP Elizabeth chapter. The ceremony focuses on forgiveness and reconciliation to peace. It was participated by two sets of newly appointed ambassadors for peace, international art curator Tarisse Iriarte and UNESCO consultant Rosie Chawla, and father and son Diego and Nicolas Maya. #
