Governance & Leadership

Our Board members represent diverse Latin American backgrounds and professional expertise, working together to strengthen cultural inclusion in the Northern Territory.

Maria Consuelo Reyes

President

Consuelo has nearly 20 years of experience in performing different types of dances including folkloric and classical dance. She has been involved in different event organisations across her career as well as coordinating community groups related to culture such as folkloric dance and literature groups. She is also an active member of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion communities and has volunteered in diverse organisations in Chile and Australia. Consuelo is passionate about community engagement and cultural diversity.

Maria Jimena Arcos

Vice president

Maria Arcos is an Argentinian community worker and event planner based in Darwin, dedicated to supporting refugee and migrant communities. With a strong background in Public Relations, Community Services, and community development, she focuses on creating programs and events that build connection, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging. Her work is guided by empathy, creativity, and a deep commitment to inclusion. Fluent in Spanish and English, Maria is also a proud mother raising her bilingual son, Santino. She is passionate about strengthening and celebrating Latin American culture in the NT, contributing to a vibrant and diverse community.

Hernani Pires

Treasurer

Hernani brings over two decades of experience in IT infrastructure, enterprise systems and data centre environments, with a background including IBM and large-scale virtualisation and migration projects. Originally from Brazil and currently completing leadership studies at Alana Kaye College, he contributes strong analytical expertise and structured financial oversight to LAAD’s governance and treasury functions.

Cristóbal Fernández Barriga

Communication and social media officer

Cristobal brings a diverse professional background combining veterinarian in public health, construction, surveying and community engagement. Originally from Chile and currently based in Darwin, he has experience working in government health programs and community-led initiatives, contributing to multicultural collaboration and outreach.

With a strong interest in organisational development and strategic growth, Cristobal supports LAAD in strengthening governance, communications and community impact. He is passionate about building bridges between cultures and creating opportunities that empower the Latin American community in the Northern Territory.

Governance & Accountability

LAAD is an incorporated association in the Northern Territory. The Board is responsible for strategic direction, financial oversight and compliance with regulatory obligations.

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