ABOUT US
Canada Habla Español was founded by a dedicated group of visionary professionals in Canada, united by a shared commitment to promoting the Spanish language and advancing the growth of Spanish-speaking communities. In recent years, their efforts have focused on creating impactful programs and fostering cultural development.
By promoting and preserving the Spanish language, we strengthen community identity and empower individuals within the Hispanic community. Through education and socio-economic development, our initiatives foster cultural exchange, raise awareness, and bridge gaps, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the diverse heritage of Spanish speakers. These efforts not only support personal growth but also contribute to a more inclusive, culturally aware society that values the contributions of all its members. By expanding opportunities for education and economic success, we enhance the role of the Hispanic community in building a vibrant, united future.
Ericka Aguilera (Founder)
Mexican-born Ericka Aguilera has been an active member of the Canadian Hispanic community since 2007, advocating for education, social justice, and the socio-cultural development of Hispanic communities. Driven by a passion for promoting the Spanish language, she founded Canada Habla Español (CANHE), an initiative aimed at preserving and strengthening the language across the country. This dedication led to the official proclamation of April 23 as Spanish Language Day in Toronto in 2021, followed by 11 additional proclamations across Canada, including the first provincial proclamation from the Province of British Columbia, and from the cities of Aurora, Calgary, Edmonton, Markham, Newmarket, Ottawa, Regina, Richmond Hill, Saskatoon, and Toronto.
As Community Relations Officer for the Toronto Catholic District School Board, she plays a key role in advancing community and school initiatives that support students’ academic success and well-being. She also assists families in integrating into the school system and collaborates with other communities to help students access necessary support.
In addition to her work with CANHE, she collaborates with numerous organizations, embassies, consulates, and government bodies, where she is recognized as a leader in fostering unity and growth within Canada’s Hispanic community. She has served as Vice President of the Centre for Spanish-Speaking Peoples and Las Flores NP Housing Corporation’s boards of directors and is currently an advisory member of Casta Latina Network Corporation.
Aguilera immigrated to Canada in 2002 and holds a law degree from La Salle University. With a background in banking and insurance, she is also a certified Spanish instructor, image consultant, and style coach. In 2023, she was nominated as a finalist for the 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians award.
Luz Madroñero (Co-founder)
Luz is a Colombian journalist and senior communications and public relations professional.
Luz studied communications and journalism in La Sabana university in Colombia and made a master’s in journalism at the Complutense university in Madrid (Spain). She got a diploma in online community management.
For more than 15 years, Luz was responsible for news in economic topics for some of Colombia’s biggest media outlets. She was awarded twice with the economic journalism award in Colombia. She was the press secretary for National Planning Department (DNP), for the Institute of Urban Development of Bogota (IDU) and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC).
Luz was the community outreach coordinator at the consulate general of Colombia in Toronto for 10 years. She led the creation of the Latin American Bilateral Trade Initiative (LABTI) which is a coalition of the Economic Business Development of City of Toronto and 10 consulates from Latin America.
She is the cofounder of Canada Speaks and is member of board of directors of Hispanic Women Network and Panamerican Food Festival and was the founder of Economic Journalist Association of Colombia.
She is a certificated rescue diver and her passion is to dive and help to immigrants in their settlement process in Toronto.
Carolina Testa (Co-founder)
Carolina Testa is the founder of Inspirad@s, a cultural initiative that aims to disseminate Spanish-American art and literature in Canada and promote cultural exchange with Latin American countries through inclusive activities. This initiative has had the support of the Toronto Arts Council and different universities, consulates, embassies in Canada.
In her development, as a cultural manager, she has been involved in different community inclusion projects and initiatives to promote Latin American roots in Canada.
Due to her commitment to diversity and inclusion actions, she has been called upon by the Ontario Council for International Cooperation (OCIC) to design the digital magazine: iAM Vol. 10 "Reflections on Intersections: Intersectionality, Development and Change". In addition, she collaborates in the "Young Parents Connect" project with adolescent mothers in vulnerable conditions.
As a graphic designer, with more than 20 years of experience, she has worked extensively on projects in Canada, the United States, Latin America, and Europe. She graduated as a Graphic Designer at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Argentina, where she later developed as a university professor. She studied Editorial Design at Parsons School of Design in New York. She obtained the Instructor Training certificate for Inclusion and Diversity in Foreign Language Arts-BRI Bayres Ritz Institute-Canada and has a Postgraduate Degree in Cultural Management and Communication from the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences-FLACSO.
In 2022 she was recognized with the distinction Brand Country of Argentines in the world.