Gammas In The Know: Empowerment through Education

MEET THE PANELISTS

Arianna Pittenger, LLMSW

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

Arianna Pittenger (She/Her/Hers) is a clinical limited-licensed social worker (therapist) based in Michigan, specializing in trauma with a particular focus on marginalized populations. Her activism began during her time in community college, where she was one of the founding members of the Feminist League, advocating for the citizens of Flint on intersectional inequalities at the city, state, and national levels.

After transferring to Michigan State University, she continued her advocacy through involvement with the Feminist Majority, the Center for Survivors, MSU Race Dialogues, and Take Back the Night. During her time at MSU, she connected with Sigma Lambda Gamma and joined the Truly Alluring Theta Alpha Chapter in the spring of 2021, where she found a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to making a difference.

Pittenger holds multiple degrees from Michigan State University, including a B.A. in Women and Gender Studies, with a focus on LGBTQ2SIA+ studies (2021), a B.S. in Sociology, concentrating on gender and global change from an international perspective, and an M.A. in Clinical Social Work.

Currently, she works in private practice and serves as a Youth Support Worker (YSW) at Samaritas, where she provides direct support to undocumented, unaccompanied refugee minors.

Christine Diaz Luna, M.S.Ed., LPC, NCC

Evolve SEL Curriculum Specialist

Christine Diaz Luna is a licensed professional Bilingual Senior Counselor with 7 years of experience in clinical assessments, program management, and counseling, recognized for fostering collaborative environments and optimizing resources for impactful program delivery. Christine attended Northern Illinois University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Christine has used her experience in both her professional and volunteer roles. Christine is also a member of Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, Incorporated, having become a member in the Summer of 2017 through the Chicago Alumnae Chapter, SLGCMAA. Christine has held a variety of positions, including but not limited to, serving as a member of the Elected Board, and Academic Advisor.

Yo Soy Ella Inc./ Sarah J. Taylor, LCSW

Founder & Executive Director

Yo Soy Ella, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering domestic violence survivors, women, girls, and LGBTQ+ individuals through trauma-informed mental health services, advocacy, and education. Founded in 2012 by Sarah Taylor, LCSW, who serves as the Founder and Executive Director, Yo Soy Ella has provided 12 years of compassionate support, breaking cycles of abuse and fostering healing. Through individual counseling, support groups, crisis intervention, and leadership development, YSE creates safe spaces for survivors to reclaim their voices and build brighter futures. Our mission is to ensure equitable, accessible, and culturally responsive support for all survivors.

Savannah Francois, J.D.

A daughter of an immigrant, Savannah Francois has spent most of her educational career dedicated to raising awareness about issues that impact immigrant communities. In 2019, Savannah hosted an Immigrant Resilience Rally in partnership with United We Dream, the largest youth-led immigrant rights organization in the country. She was also named a 2020 Newman Civic Fellow and worked on a project to create a network for immigrants to find work and housing in addition to assisting people with their citizenship paperwork. Since graduating law school in 2024, Savannah has been studying for the Bar Exam. Her favorite topics in law school were Constitutional Law and Criminal Procedure. She lives in Harrisburg, PA with her fiancé and will be getting married this May!

Jocely Pacheco

Assistant States Attorney, Cook County States Attorney Office, President of HLAI (Serving the Hispanic Lawyers of Illinois) Charities

Jocely Pacheco is an Assistant State’s Attorney (ASA) with jury trial experience at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office Criminal Prosecutions Bureau. She is assigned to District 4 (Maywood) where she represents the State of Illinois prosecuting felonies. Jocely was previously assigned to Felony Reviews CAC-CAPU (Crimes Against Children) Task Force Unit where she investigated allegations of sex crimes against children. Jocely advocated for the youth of Cook County by participating in forensic interviews, approving felony charges, and obtaining witness and defendant statements. Prior to that, Jocely litigated criminal misdemeanors and traffic cases. For five years now Jocely has represented the people of the State of Illinois and is committed to continue fighting for victims of crime.

Jocely received her undergraduate degree from Illinois State University in 2016 and her Juris Doctor from the UIC Chicago School of Law in 2019. She was admitted to the Illinois bar in November 2019. As a law student, Jocely served as the Alumni Chair on the executive board of the Latinx Law Student Association (LLSA) in 2017 and 2018); and as Co-Founder and Co-President of the Women's Law Caucus (WLC), while actively participating with HLAI. As an active member of LLSA, HLAI, and WLC Jocely facilitated relationship-building between students and alumni with events, workshops, and fundraisers.

Jocely has served on the HLAI Board for the past three years and is currently its Recording Secretary and President of The HLAI Charities Arm. Since joining HLAI during her first semester of law school, Jocely has volunteered at every signature HLAI event and has served on the planning committees for HLAI’s Judicial Reception, its Gala, and the WBAI/HLAI Annual Leadership Dinner. Jocely also participated in the HLAI Mentorship program, both as a mentee and now as a mentor.