Meet Our 2024-2026 Team

Tamia Muenala, the current president of KCC grew up in Ibarra, Ecuador. Prior to being president, Tamia served as the Culture Department Lead for the 2022 - 2024 cycle. She loves serving her community because she loves her cultural identity as an indigenous woman and wants to instill those cultural values in her kids. She loves dance and traditional Ecuadorian food.

Cesar Burga is the current vice president of KCC and originally from Otavalo, Ecuador. He is skilled in weaving and loves the art of music. In his free time he enjoys practicing music with his kids and youths of the community.

Jairo Chalan is the current treasurer of KCC where he is in charge of the organization’s financial management. He is an artisan merchant originally from Otavalo, Ecuador and has lived in Chicago since 2006. He is excited to mentor and support the youth to ensure they know their culture and traditions even outside of their motherland.

Cindy Burga-Romero is the current secretary of KCC where she supports the organization’s logistics and documentation. Growing up in Chicago, Cindy relied on the community to have events revolving around her culture. As a girl she participated in a Kichwa dance group with other girls before heading out of state for college. After graduation she came back to Chicago to start her career and is excited she gets serve the same community that taught her about her roots.

Miriam Teran serves as the Department of Education lead and is originally from Peguche, Ecuador. Prior to her current role, Miriam worked in the Department of Culture.

Maricela de la Torre is the lead for the Cultural department where she leads initiatives that strengthen the Kichwa cultural identity fortify the connection to Ecuador. She is from Imbaya, Ecuador but has lived in Chicago for over 27 years. She values continuous learning and believes each day is an opportunity to something new.

William Pineda, the Communication Department Lead, is a mindalae Kichwa from Imbabura, Ecuador. In 2011 he served as the Inti Raymi pushak and has since been involved in multiple Inti Raymi commissions including Social Media and Sports. Prior to his current role, he formed part of the KCC Sports Department in 2022. He is now directing communication, photography, and social labor within the organization.

Edison Maigua is the current Department of Social Support lead. In 2019 he was the selected pushak for Inti Raymi. Edison has been involved in the Kichwa community in various ways including serving as the NYC pushak in 2001, DEPEIA secretary in 2002, and Department of Sports lead in 2022. He enjoys serving for the benefit and needs of the community.

Edwin Campo serves as the Department of Sports lead.