Researchers
Daniel Copeland serves as Barna Group’s Vice President of Research and oversees the strategy, operation and execution of the firm’s published and proprietary research. He is trained as a social researcher and is passionate about producing accessible insights that inspire compassion and fresh perspective. To him, research provides the framework necessary for naming current realities, investigating their roots, and charting a course for change. At Barna, he has designed and conducted more than 150 individual studies and is recognized as a subject matter expert on the institutional church, church trends and American religious life. Daniel holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Sociology from Georgia State University, currently serves on the board of North Decatur United Methodist Church, and lives in Atlanta with his wife, Heidi.
Tara Henriquez is the Director of Program Evaluation at Urban Strategies, where she leads the agencywide evaluation of programs serving communities across the United States, Puerto Rico, and El Salvador. She holds a Master’s in Social Welfare from UCLA, a bilingual Teaching Credential from Cal State Los Angeles, and a graduate-level certificate in Program Evaluation from American University. Tara brings over a decade of experience focused on initiatives serving Hispanic children, families, and child care providers in California and Mexico. Her work has expanded to include the evaluation of faith-based initiatives led by community leaders throughout Latin America. She previously directed a workforce development initiative in Los Angeles, supporting over 1,200 child care providers annually. Earlier in her career, she developed professional development programs for Hispanic family child care providers and spent six years as a Kindergarten teacher in a Latino immigrant neighborhood.
Managers
Dr. Girien Salazar (pronounced “Gideon”) is the Director of Faith-Based Policy and Research at the Center for Public Justice (CPJ). Girien’s non-profit leadership experience includes roles as Executive Director of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), Director of Development at The Philos Project, Director of Development at Nelson University, and service on non-profit, local, and state boards such as the Latin American Heritage Society, San Antonio Parks and Recreation, and OneStar National Service Commission Board in Texas. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Church Ministry and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Nelson University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership Studies from Dallas Baptist University. A U.S. Navy veteran, he served eight years as a Religious Programs Specialist and was honorably discharged at the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class.
Melissa Mercedes is a Policy Associate at the Center for Public Justice. She is a Gordon College alumna and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Affairs with a concentration in International Development. In her position, Melissa supports the advancement of CPJ’s faith-based policy and institutional religious freedom research and initiatives.
Advisors
Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra is the Academic Dean of the Centro Latino and the Associate Professor of Mission and Global Transformation at Fuller Theological Seminary. Centro Latino is a 50 year old Spanish theological education program with certificate, Masters and Doctoral programs as well as a research institute. She is the author of multiple books and articles, and has served in various forms of ministry for over 45 years – as a pastor, missionary, non-profit executive, community development practitioner, community organizer, legislative advocate and co-founder of various national initiatives engaging faith leaders in working for immigrant integration and immigrant rights.
Dr. Andrea Ramirez‘s career has spanned across public service, executive search, and the non-profit sector. She served in the White House Office of Public Liaison as a policy advisor and director of Hispanic outreach, was promoted to a commissioned officer as Special Assistant to the President, and led two White House Initiatives based in the U.S. Department of Education. Prior to government service, she served as the executive director of the Faith and Education Coalition of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC). Dr. Ramirez currently serves as a policy advisor to the National Faith Advisory Board (NFAB), is a trustee for Dallas Baptist University, and sits on the NHCLC’s Executive Committee and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Open Education Resources Advisory Board.
Dr. Yvette Santana has dedicated her life to serving the Lord and the Church since her youth. Her deepest passions lie in education, empowering women to reach their God-given potential, and ministering to the Latino community. She has served professionally in various roles within public education, with a focus on Title I schools. Over the past 35 years, she has also served in a wide range of ministerial roles. She has led thousands of women through discipleship programs and ministerial development initiatives within the Church of God. Alongside her husband, she has co-led three congregations, overseeing their rebranding and revitalization. They also founded an orphanage in Mexico, extending their ministry beyond church walls to meet critical social needs. She continues to teach and minister, with a particular focus on current immigration issues, leadership development and topics relevant to women in ministry.
