Gloria Vázquez Merrick

Gloria Vázquez Merrick serves as Executive Director of the Latino Hispanic American Community Center (LHACC) of the Greater Harrisburg Region since July, 2010.

Prior, to the nonprofit arena, Ms. Merrick served in the public sector, becoming the first Latina Director of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Leadership Development Institute (LDI) - graduating nearly 300 professional and executive women from LDI. Gloria Also served as Director of the Governor’s Office of Administration (OA), Commonwealth Management Development and Pennsylvania Management Associate programs, designed to develop existing management and to recruit recent college graduates from across the state to come work in the Pennsylvania public sector. As a senior management consultant in OA central headquarters, Merrick was instrumental in the development and execution of statewide initiatives impacting 35 agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction. Gloria rounded out her public service career serving on the Pennsylvania Department of Health executive team where she spearheaded health initiatives and programs.

Ms. Merrick currently serves on boards of the Harrisburg Public Schools Foundation, the Historic Harrisburg Association, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and PennLive Editorial boards. Recognitions include: Central Pennsylvania “Latina Inspirational Leadership” Award; YWCA Women of Excellence Award; 2018 Martin Luther King Drum Major Award; 2019 BCM Peacemaker Award, and the Latino Connection 2020 Community Leader Award.

Gloria graduated with distinction from Eastern University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management/Studies, and is a graduate of the Commonwealth’s Leadership Development Institute for Women in Government.