OLAS LGBTQ+ Sanctuary Project

Team

We have a wonderful, diverse, and dedicated staff that works hard to make the mission of OLAS happen!

Cristina Ceballos

Program Director

Cristina’s passion for immigrant rights came from bearing witness to the obstacles their own family faced. Cristina joined OLAS in 2020. Cristina has worked on LGBTQ+ asylum cases at East Bay Sanctuary Covenant since 2017.

Email Cristina.

Diana Shapiro

Founder and Facilitator

Diana founded OLAS in 2014 as a response to the abuse and mistreatment of sexual minorities in many parts of Latin America, and to their need for mental health support. Diana is a licensed, bilingual psychotherapist with over a decade of experience working with immigrants from Latin America.

Email Diana.

Francisca Lizana

Clinical Director and Facilitator

Originally from Chile, Francisca cares about supporting and celebrating the Latine/x community in creative ways. As a licensed bilingual expressive arts psychotherapist with two decades of experience she believes in the power of the arts as a vehicle for transformation, healing and empowerment. Francisca’s migrant lineage has taught her to value community solidarity and connection. In California, Francisca has been part of mental health agencies providing advocacy, school-based counseling, substance abuse recovery and prevention, trauma informed therapy for victims of crime and psychosocial evaluations for immigration. She is proud to be part of OLAS since 2017.

Email Francisca.

Pedro Felix

Facilitator

Pedro is a licensed therapist, transpersonal psychologist, and social worker with more than 15 years of experience working in the mental health sector, primarily in agencies focused on the unhoused, people with severe mental illness or substance addiction, as well as HIV treatment and prevention. Pedro is passionate about offering social services to communities most in need. An immigrant from Mexico, Pedro has participated in the OLAS program since 2015.

Joaquin Basulto

Assistant Facilitator

Joaquin is a permanent U.S. resident who started as a participant in OLAS in 2014.  After attending several events, Joaquin was asked to join the OLAS staff as a co-facilitator. Joaquin works in construction and lives with his partner of 12 years and his beloved dog. Joaquin speaks English and Spanish.

Email Joaquin.