Karla Castaneda
Executive Director
Karla joined Voz in 2022, bringing a wealth of experience in program management, community organizing, and strategic partnership building. Originally from Guadalajara, Jalisco, she migrated to the United States at age four and is a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). With a background that spans work with the Governor's Office, regional government, and various private sector organizations, Karla has dedicated her career to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives that create lasting, transformative change.
Karla’s journey with Voz is deeply personal. Sharing many of the same experiences as the community she serves, including being undocumented/DACAmented, Latine, and having faced housing insecurity and poverty. She is a strong advocate for day laborers and immigrant workers. Her commitment to building a sustainable, equitable future is rooted in her own story and her dedication to community-driven leadership. Outside of her work, Karla enjoys outdoor adventures with her three dogs—two mini schnauzers and a big rottweiler, who always keeps her on her toes!
Annica Maxfield
Annica joined Voz in 2019 and is a proud lifelong resident of the Portland metro area. A first-generation college graduate, she holds a degree in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Arizona. Her background includes experience in research, political education, curriculum development, fundraising, and grassroots organizing.
At Voz, Annica has helped grow programs that center the voices and leadership of immigrant workers. She has led leadership schools, supported worker-led initiatives, and currently facilitates classes on emergency preparedness and environmental justice—connecting day laborers’ lived experiences to broader struggles for climate, racial, and economic justice.
Annica’s work is grounded in the legacy of her family—she is the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants and comes from a long line of farmworkers, coal miners, and carpenters whose lives were shaped by solidarity, hard work, and perseverance. Her understanding of the immigrant experience is also shaped by close personal ties to those navigating the U.S. immigration system, which deepens her commitment to collective liberation and community resilience—especially for those most often excluded or exploited.
Outside of organizing, Annica loves spending time outdoors with her three dogs—two pugs and a cattle dog mix.
Essly Diaz
Essly Diaz joined Voz’s team as Finance & Operations Manager in the summer of 2025. Essly brings over 10 years of experience managing finances for membership-based organizations, as well as a deep commitment to fighting for equity, especially for BIPOC and immigrant communities. Originally from Los Angeles, CA, she moved to Oregon more than a decade ago. Her parents migrated from El Salvador and maintain strong cultural roots. Growing up surrounded by people of color from diverse backgrounds, Essly discovered early on her passion for supporting her community.
Her experience spans working with students, unions, and the broader labor movement. She has led membership finance operations and contributed to development, communications, and campaign work. Essly’s dedication to immigrant and worker rights is deeply informed by witnessing her parents’ struggles as they navigated a new country. She remains committed to building an equitable future for people of all backgrounds.
In her spare time, Essly enjoys being with her two dogs, Max and Sunflower. Max is a 13-year-old Shih Tzu mix she’s had since he was a puppy, and Sunflower is a 10-year-old terrier mix who began as a foster pet before being adopted into her family.