Get to know our team.
ALEX KNOPES
Executive Director
Alex has enjoyed the privilege of being involved with Doxa in varying capacities since the early 2000s (starting as a high school student). Through Doxa, he discovered a love and call to the people of Tijuana. Alex has seen, experienced, and believes in the transformative power of serving through Christ, especially when carried out across cultures. He likes to explore what could be and steward along current structures and people into new growth; all in partnership with the Holy Spirit. His favorite memory in Tijuana was a midnight New Year’s celebration with tacos de cabeza (cow head)! Quite a surprising sight!
MARIA FIGUEROA
Unidos por Siempre Founder
Maria Esther Figueroa Torres is motivated by her family, love for children, and a desire to grow every day. Her journey began as a single mother of three, facing many challenges despite holding a job with long hours that kept her from her kids. In search of support, she connected with Casa Hogar de los Niños, which provided essential resources like food, clothing, and shoes.
Years later, after moving to the Rojo Gomez area of Tijuana and seeing the deep poverty around her, she started a soup kitchen to help local families. As the number of visitors grew, so did the needs—many children were living on the streets or without stable homes. In response, she transformed the soup kitchen into an orphanage, continuing her mission to serve and support vulnerable children and families.
ELIZABETH MARTINEZ SALGADO
Director of Operations
Elizabeth—known by everyone as Ely—is originally from Morelia but has lived in Tijuana for most of her life. She spent 12 years volunteering with World Vision, gaining valuable experience in community work. For the past 6 years, she has worked with Doxa, a connection that began through her son Angel. When he was in 2nd grade and needed more structure in school, Ely sought out resources and found Doxa.
With a strong background in organization and administration, Ely is a fast learner who believes in aiming high—“If we’re not shooting for the best, then why are we here?!” Her favorite part of working with Doxa is seeing kids’ faces light up when they accomplish something they once thought impossible. As a mother of four, she is deeply committed to encouraging and supporting her children so they can thrive in their own lives.
DIANA FIGUEROA
Education Administrator & Tutor
Hello, I’m Diana Figueroa and am the director of Unidos por Siempre. I love working for this organization simply because I can help children. One of my favorite sayings is “whoever doesn’t live to serve, isn’t good at living.”
GIOVANA
Education Administrator & Tutor
My name is Giovana and I was born in 1992 in Nayarit. I have lived in Tijuana since the age of 4. I have three kids, two girls and one boy. I really like to be around my family, it gives me peace. I also like to cook for my family and to stay busy. I love Harry Potter and one day want to go to London and Universal Studios. I used to work in a fabric store and in a factory. I enjoy working with Doxa and help tutor kids in their academic studies.
SABINO ESPINDOLA HERNANDEZ
Dance Teacher
Juan Sabino Espindola Hernandez began dancing in 2003 as part of a children's folkloric dance group at his elementary school, Primaria Ricardo Flores Magón. Two years later, he joined Ballet Folklórico Ixchel, where he’s been performing for over 15 years in countless events and shows.
In 2016, inspired to share the richness of Mexican culture in a new way, Juan founded Grupo Yelitza with kids from Doxa. Through this work, he’s seen firsthand the value of joyful, cultural education and the impact Doxa has in the community. His passion lies in helping children grow—artistically and personally—through dance and cultural expression.
OLGA LIDIA CAMACHO NIEBLA
Cook
My name is Olga Lidia Camacho Niebla. I was born in Sinaloa. I am 56 years old, married, and have three children. I am a cook at Unidos por Siempre. For over 16 years, I have passionately served this organization. Cooking is my favorite hobby, as it was an important part of my childhood and brings back great memories of being with my father. This makes me enjoy it 100 percent.
LILIANA RODRIGUEZ
Education Tutor
My name is Liliana Rodriguez and I was born in Tijuana. I studied law in college, but was unable to finish. Instead, I dedicated myself to being a mother to 3 beautiful kids: Mia, Dominick, and Nataly. They are what keep me going each day and a great blessing. At Doxa I currently tutor kids in 1 st and 2 nd grade, and I love it! I believe in respect, responsibility, loyalty, creativity, Honesty, resilience, and commitment.
AILIN
Education Tutor
My name is Ailin Garcia Flores. I am 23 years old and I have a Bachelor’s degree in Education. I first knew about Doxa when I was in fourth grade, and although I didn’t attend regularly, I always received educational and financial support until high school. Now I work in Doxa’s area of education, as a tutor to third and fourth graders. My priority is for children to develop good spelling and reading comprehension, which is essential for any educational level and for everyday life.
SERGIO
Education Tutor
My name is Sergio Jair Sánchez Sánchez. I was born on July 4, 2000, in Tijuana. I studied at the University of Tijuana (CUT), where I graduated with a degree in Educational Sciences, which I consider one of the most important achievements of my life. Today, I work as a teacher at Doxa and also am a substitute teacher in a local middle school. In my free time, I enjoy fishkeeping, caring for plants, and playing video games. My main goals are to obtain a teaching position and own my own home, dreams that drive me to continue growing both personally and professionally.
ESMERALDA CAMACHO
MX Bookkeeper & Translator
I’m Esmeralda Camacho, I was born and raised in Tijuana. My mother is Rosa Amelia and my father is Flavio and I have two siblings, Paola and Cesar. I was lucky to grow up with Doxa thanks to my mothers’ work, appreciating all the activities and especially being aware of all the impact that this organization has had in Pedregal de Santa Julia since I grew up on this area. Approximately twelve years ago I started being part of the house building program and I could see first-hand the impact that this activity has on the families, listening to their words at the end of the project motivated me to keep being part of Doxa. As years go by, I’ve also helped tutoring the middle school and high school students but at the moment I assist with keeping the accounting and expenses on the Mexico side, as well as translating the families and student information.
FLAVIO
TJ Building Team
I was born in Sinaloa in 1965, the sixth of 12 children. In 1989 I came to Tijuana and in 1990 married Rosa Amelia. We had three kids: Paola, Esmeralda, and Flavio Cesar. I studied airport administration and worked in the Tijuana airport for the majority of my career. In 2022, I stopped working for the airport and spent more time working with Doxa. Thanks be to Rosa that she originally got me involved with Doxa and I continue to do that to this day.
PANCHO RAMIREZ
Rancho Shed & Materials
My name is Pancho Ramirez and I help steward the materials shed at Rancho. Cleaning, organizing, inventorying, and fumigating so everything is in great shape for groups to arrive and build. I also know a thing or two about cars and am pretty handy. I’m proud and happy to serve anyway that I can.