The Team | MCOHA

MCOHA is here to help. Meet the team!

The Leaders

Marcela Lenox

Executive Director

Marcela I. Lenox has joined MCOHA as Executive Director, focusing on strategic growth and partnerships. In this role, Marcela will identify new sponsorship and program opportunities, deepen existing partnerships within the community, and drive the development and management of new projects with a growth-oriented mindset.

Marcela brings more than 10 years of experience leading non-profit fundraising and community wellness programs. Most recently, Marcela served as Director of the Salvation Army Morristown Corps where her work advanced philanthropy through increased awareness of how these services help communities thrive.

marcela.lenox@mcoha.org

(973) 366-4770 Ext. 16

Silvina Abbate

Chief Fiscal Officer

As Chief Fiscal Officer, Silvina Abbate is in charge of all financial, accounting, and controller functions. Her unique skillset and experience of more than 25 years are dedicated to ensuring the present and future financial health of MCOHA.
Silvina has worked with companies of all sizes, from global organizations such as Johnson & Johnson to local start-ups. Besides not-for-profit organizations, she has vast experience in many other industries, from food manufacturing to medical devices, healthcare, professional services, and e-commerce. Prior to joining MCOHA, she held positions as a financial controller, managing accountant, and marketing controller among others. She also volunteers at local non-profit entities as a treasurer, bookkeeper, and financial advisor.
Born and raised in Argentina, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Business Administration from the Universidad Nacional de Rosario, a Certified Public Accountant designation also in Argentina and a Graduate Certificate of Special Studies in Administration and Management from Harvard University.

sabbate@mcoha.org

(973) 366-4770 Ext. 23

rsoto@mcoha.org

(973) 366-4770 Ext. 21

Rosa Soto

Weatherization and Home Energy Programs Manager

Rosa Soto is the longest-tenured staff person at MCOHA, having joined the organization in 1987. During her nearly 30 years of dedicated service, Rosa has worked in just about every department and is knowledgeable regarding all aspects of agency operations. From 2004 to 2005, Rosa served as MCOHA’s interim Executive Director. Currently, she holds the position of Manager of the Weatherization and Home Energy Departments which have regularly been recognized in the State of New Jersey for their high degree of professionalism and achievement.
Rosa is a graduate of Dover High School, is a licensed certified social worker in the State of New Jersey and a United Way Certified Mentor. Most recently, in 2012/2013, Rosa attended Fairleigh Dickenson University and earned the Certificate in Executive Nonprofit Leadership.

lmonsalve@mcoha.org

(973) 366-4770 Ext. 11

Lina Monsalve

Client Advocacy and Outreach Manager

Lina Monsalve currently holds the position of Client Advocacy and Outreach Manager for MCOHA. In this position, she oversees a wide range of services including programs for senior citizens. She provides case management, advocacy information and referrals to individuals and families with special needs in need of social services as well as TANF and post-TANF clients. Lina networks and coordinates activities and conferences with community organizations and special programs to assist clients with other agencies, and provides translation and interpretation services and advocacy for clients.
Lina holds a degree from Antonio Narino University, Colombia, in International Business and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Fairleigh Dickenson University, 2007.

Janice Perez-Rojas, Esq

Part-Time Immigration Attorney

Janice, our collaborating bilingual immigration attorney, received a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Sociology, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey. In 2011, she used her knowledge and experience to collaborate with the Civil Rights Commission of Puerto Rico doing legal research and analysis on proposed legislations. In 2013, she graduated from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law, Magna Cum Laude, and is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Since receiving her license she co-owned a law firm in Puerto Rico where she practiced Family Law, Litigation, and Civil Law for two years. In 2015, she sought other opportunities within the U.S. to expand upon her knowledge of the law and worked for the Law Offices of Liliana Quiroz as an of-counsel working mainly in Immigration Removal Proceedings.
Since then, she has gained more experience in Immigration matters and has developed a serious commitment towards helping the ever-growing immigrant community have a voice within our legal system. Her hopes for the future is to be able to create a social impact beyond the matters of immigration.

jperez@mcoha.org

(973) 537-0573 Ext. 12

lgudino@mcoha.org

(973) 537-0573 Ext. 17

Lisette Gudino, LSW

Director of Justice For All

Lisette Gudino is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) currently serving as the Program Director for Justice For All, under the Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs (MCOHA) – Center for Citizenship & Legal Immigration (CCLI).

She has a Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology and Hispanic Language and Literature from Boston University (2014), Master of Social Work from Rutgers University (2018) with a concentration in Global Social Work & Latino(a) Initiative for Service Training and Assessment [LISTA], and a Certificate in Human Services Management. Her past experiences include working as a paralegal at a center for immigration law and 40-HR Domestic Violence Training through Jersey Battered Women’s Services (JBWS).

maria.rojas@mcoha.org

(862) 244-4437

Maria A. Rojas Botero

Director of the Hispanic Women's Resource Center

Maria Rojas Botero is currently serving as the Program Director for the Hispanic Women’s Resource Center, under the Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs (MCOHA).

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language from Universidad del Quindío, Colombia (2011) and validated in the US by World Education International (2018). DADC training in a partnership with County College of Morris and Rutgers University (2019). Maria has been in the non-profit field for 6 years where she has gained experience in Social Work, Social Justice and Advocacy. Her past experiences include working as a Residential Support Staff, Program Associate and Women’s program Case Manager at Homeless Solutions Inc. In her desired to promote selfcare among the women she serves, Maria became a certified 200 hours Yoga Teacher in December 2022 by Abhaya Yoga Studio in Brooklyn NY. Working for the community has become her passion, especially serving the population of Hispanic Women by helping them achieve their goals and personal wellness.