1stGenYale Appoints Four New Members to Board of Directors

1stGenYale is proud to announce the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors for a three-year term, effective January 2026. These individuals bring a deep commitment to supporting Yale’s first-generation and low-income (FGLI) students and alumni, along with a wide range of professional experience and leadership skills.

1stGenYale is an alumni volunteer-run nonprofit and a Yale Alumni Association Shared Interest Group. Its mission is to help Yale’s first-generation and low-income students and alumni thrive - personally, academically, and professionally - by fostering community and connections across generations. The expansion of the board reflects 1stGenYale’s ongoing efforts to deepen its impact through its programs and services.

1stGenYale’s Board welcomes Jose Diaz de Leon MPH ’21, Carla Rangel ’24, Evelyn Letona-Robles ’25, and Brian Zhang ’25. Each new member was approved by unanimous vote.

Jose Diaz de Leon MPH ’21 is Chief Financial Officer in healthcare and specifically works with complex high growth multi-specialty physician enterprises that are multi-state or national operations. Prior to Jose’s healthcare leadership background, he worked in Corporate and International Tax and Financial Services for Fortune 100 companies, consulting and in one of the big 4 public accounting firms. After obtaining a B.S. in Accounting from DePaul University in Chicago, Jose then obtained a MBA from the University of Notre Dame; a Master of Public Health in Health Policy & Management from Yale University; and a Master of Science in Global Health Leadership from Said Business School, University of Oxford.

Carla Rangel ’24 graduated from Yale with a B.A. in Public Health and a certificate in global health. Carla is the Press and Digital Assistant for Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20). In this capacity, she tracks media coverage and develops and implements digital strategies, including social media and press outreach. Prior to this position she worked for Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) and served as the Senior Policy Fellow for the Yale Policy Institute.

Evelyn Letona Robles ’25 graduated from Yale with a B.A. in Political Science (Intensive) and an Advanced Language Certificate in Spanish. She currently serves as a technology fellow with Pro Bono Net’s Justicia Lab and works as an editorial assistant for the Justice Collaboratory at Yale Law School. Evelyn plans to attend law school in Fall 2027.

Brian Zhang ’25 graduated from Yale with a B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. During his undergraduate years, Brian was elected Class President for the junior year class. He also served as Arts Editor for the Yale Daily News and wrote for The Sacramento Bee. Brian began his studies at Stanford Medical School and continues his journalistic pursuits as a contributing essayist for Business Insider.

To learn more about 1stGenYale, visit http://www.1stgenyale.org/.