Delia De Mello has been with the Social Security Administration for over 30 years. She has been an agency Claims Representative and Technical Expert. She currently handles Public Affairs outreach in Southeastern MA, South Shore and the Cape & Islands, with a focus on Retirement, Disability, Survivors & Medicare benefits, and Social Security On-line Services. She has been a presenter speaker at many large conferences, including the annual Massachusetts Councils on Aging Conferences, among others. She is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. She is a regular contributor on Social Security topics to the South Shore Senior Newspaper, Patch and the Senior Scope. Her weekly column appears nationally in the Portuguese Times. She has also been a guest of Gregory Brasso and Patti Abbate on WATD radio of Marshfield. She has been a guest on WJFD radio in New Bedford, as well as on many local cable tv stations, including PACTV. She was a member of the Agency’s Office of Communications Multi-language Review Team, which provides online and printed versions of publications in various languages. She is a frequent guest on local radio and television. She is a contributor on 17 local Patch pages, as well A Praca magazine, among others. She has served on the Coastline, Money Management Program Board since 1997, currently as Chairperson. She has previously served as the Vice Chairperson on the Advisory Board, of Coastline Elderly Services, Inc. of New Bedford, and is presently serving on the Board of Directors.

Delia holds a B.A. from University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth.

Delia is married and has two children. She resides in Dartmouth.

Board Member Biography

Born in Cortiçal, Santarém, Portugal, Manny immigrated to New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1969 with his parents, Abel and Alice Louro. He has a sister, Lina Louro-Cunha, born in the United States. He has been married to Elizabeth Figueiredo since 1985, and they reside in South Dartmouth, MA, where they have lived for 26 years.

Their daughter, Marissa Elizabeth Louro, earned her Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School in Boston in May 2016. Marissa is a corporate attorney based in Boston and lives in Hingham with her husband, Mark Henry, and their twin daughters, Sophia and Julia, born in 2022.

Education
New Bedford High School, Class of 1979
Southeastern Massachusetts University (University of Massachusetts Dartmouth), 1984

Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Minors in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Technical Writing
Over 40 years of continuing education in sales, management, technology, document management, real estate, and financing

Professional Experience
Executive Vice President and Co-Owner, American Business Products (10 years; company sold in 1994)
Major Account Executive and District Sales Manager, Ikon Office Solutions (9 years)
Mortgage Originator and Sales Manager, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage (5 years)
Services & Solutions Executive, Xerox Corporation (5 years)
Sales Manager and Account Manager, Toshiba Business Solutions (13 years-present)
Part-time Realtor, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services – Robert Paul Properties (17 years-present)
Real estate investor since 1994

Community Service
Prince Henry Society of Massachusetts, New Bedford Chapter (active member since 1992)
Co-Chair of Scholarship Committee
Past President (2006-2008), during which the chapter hosted President Aníbal Cavaco Silva and the First Lady
Past Vice-President, Scholarship Foundation
Past President of the PHS State Council (5 years), promoting unity and best practices among three chapters
Pilot Class Award recipient, 1999
Finance Committee member, St. Mary’s Church (since 2001)
Soccer coach for daughter’s team (6 years)

Hobbies and Interests
President of Ateneu Tennis Club since 1988, passionate tennis player
Dedicated real estate investor for over 30 years
Travel enthusiast

Awards and Honors
President’s Club Performer
Award for Excellence, Ikon Office Solutions
Pilot Class Award, Prince Henry Society, 1999
Portuguese American of the Year, Prince Henry Society, 2011
Portuguese Heritage Award, awarded at the Massachusetts State House, 2011

Personal Highlights
Married his high school sweetheart
Birth of their daughter, Marissa
First in his family to earn a bachelor’s degree
Daughter’s graduation with a Juris Doctorate (2016)
Serving alongside his wife as Eucharistic Ministers for 24 years
Welcoming twin granddaughters in 2022
Admires his wife, daughter, and Mother Teresa

Jennifer Cardoza brings over 8 years of experience to her Human Resources background. She has strong interpersonal skills, and is able to work effectively across diverse, multigenerational workplaces. She serves on the Governance Committee and is Chair of the Hub 128 Committee and committed to the future of DLA.

Sonia was born in Terceira Island, Azores, in 1980, and her pursuit of academic excellence and professional success has taken her across continents. After obtaining an English Certificate from Loughborough College in England, she ventured to the United States in 2000 to pursue a Bachelor’s in Computer Science at the New England Institute of Technology. Sonia serves as the Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager at BayCoast Bank.
Beyond her career in banking, Sonia is deeply passionate about various hobbies, including singing, modeling, and community involvement. Her dedication to community service is evident in her role as a board member of the Rotary Club of New Bedford, where she actively volunteers and advocates for important causes.
In addition to her professional and community commitments, Sonia has also made a name for herself in the world of fashion and modeling. In 2021, she was invited to become the Face of the Azorean Collection by renowned Supermodel/Designer Avadora Mimouni. This role has allowed her to represent the collection at prestigious events such as New York Fashion Week.
Sonia’s mantra of Love is Love, Equality, Inclusivity, and Diversity resonates in all her endeavors, as she strives to promote these values within her community and beyond. Her dedication to preserving Portuguese culture and traditions is a testament to her belief in passing on important heritage to future generations.
With her inspiring journey and impactful contributions, Sonia embodies resilience, passion, and a strong sense of purpose. I believe she would be an excellent addition to any speaking engagement or panel discussion centered around community involvement, diversity, or empowerment.

Jimmy is Bank Five First Vice President-Retail . He has 29 years of banking experience in a variety of positions. Prior to joining Bank Five, he was Vice President at Santander Bank, serving in roles ranging from District Executive to Area Manager to Branch Manage.
Jimmy, who resides in Dartmouth, MA, with his wife and three children, received a bachelor’s degree in Portuguese language and literature from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He obtained a certificate in Portuguese history and culture from the University of Lisbon, and is certified to teach Portuguese in Massachusetts.
He is Vice President of Friends of St. John the Baptist Church. He is past Vice President of Portuguese United for Education (now Discovery Language Academy), and was involved with St. Vincent DePaul Society/Junior Achievement.

Lucilia lives in Acushnet and has worked at Acushnet Rubber Company since 1994 as a Lab Technician and Quality Auditor. She is extremely proud of her two daughters who both graduated for the Discovery Language Academy. She is a member of the Scholarship Committee for the American Maritime Heritage Society, as well as a member of the Board of Helping Hands of Farmers, which is a partner of St. Jude. Lucilia is also a member of several Rowing and Sailing teams in the area. She enjoys volunteering in the community and is extremely proud of city and it’s Portuguese Culture.

Gloria de Sá is an immigrant from the Portuguese Mainland who has lived in New Bedford since 1971. She has a PhD in sociology from Brown University and is a former (retired) associate professor of sociology and faculty director of the Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Her academic research and publications intersect the fields of immigration and ethnicity, with a particular focus on Portuguese Americans. Over the years, she has worked with various community organizations serving immigrants, including the Immigrants Assistance Center and the Community Economic Development Center in New Bedford.

Stephen currently lives in New Bedford with his wife. He has been a realtor and Notary Public for over 30 years. In the past Steve has held several Presidencies in different organizations, most recently as President of the Discovery Language Academy where he had been a board member for several years. He was also President of the Prince Henry Society from 2013-2015 and the New Bedford Festival Theater. Steve is a recipient of the 2015 Portuguese Heritage Award. Steve has a passion for helping others in the community and is part of many non-profit organizations.

Sandra immigrated to the United States at the age of two. She grew up in New Bedford, Ma.

She earned her education at Bristol Community College. Patricia is a certified CNA, as well as a medical assistant; she has been in the medical field for over 25 years. She has worked with mentally challenged adults and autistic children, who hold a special place in her heart. Patricia has worked the last seven years in the dermatology field as a doctor’s assistant.

Currently, Patricia assists her husband in their family business ,JP Imports. She lives with her husband and daughter, as well as immediate family. She is an alumni of the Casa de Saudade/Portuguese United for Education School. She has been a member of DLA’s PTO for six years, and its lead member for the past four years. Patricia has been a director of DLA’s Board of Directors for five years; she was also a member of the Day of Portugal Committee. Patricia is a devoted and a firm believer of DLA’s mission to provide skill development and training opportunities in the areas of language acquisition, cultural understanding, and career education to achieve personal, professional, and vocational goals to the residents of the Southcoast Community, and beyond.

Tiffany is a lifelong resident of New Bedford and a proud graduate of Discovery Language Academy, formerly known as Portuguese United for Education. Her bilingual skills have been instrumental in shaping her professional career, allowing her to navigate different environments and connect with a wide range of individuals.
With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and History, a Master of Business Administration degree specializing in Human Resources Management, and certification as a Professional in Human Resources, Tiffany brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Her dedication to working for organizations with a strong mission and a focus on the Southcoast region is truly commendable.
Currently serving as an Employee Relations and Engagement Manager at a prominent local non-profit mental health organization, Tiffany’s skill set extends beyond her current role. She has experience in training, staff development, recruiting, operations management, and case management, making her a versatile asset to any organization.
Tiffany is actively involved in the community, serving on the Advisory Board for the Human Services program at Bristol Community College and participating in the Leadership Southcoast cohort, class of 2025. As a first-generation daughter of Portuguese parents, she takes great pride in her heritage and is committed to preserving it for future generations.
In her personal life, Tiffany resides in New Bedford with her husband, Ryan, and shares a passion for travel. Her love for exploring new places and experiencing different cultures adds to her well-rounded perspective and adaptability.
We are confident that Tiffany’s unique background, professional accomplishments, and dedication to community engagement make her an excellent fit for any organization seeking a dynamic and committed team member.

Carlos resides in Rochester with his wife Lucy and 4 children. He has been involved with the Discovery Language Academy for several years. He graduated from the school in 1987 and became a member of the board in 2006. Carlos has a passion for his Portuguese culture and heritage, which lead him to become a former President of the Discovery Language Academy.

Judite resides in Dartmouth with her husband Tony and daughter Simone. Along with her husband, they own Inner Bay Cafe in New Bedford, MA. She is extremely involved at Discovery Language Academy doing fundraisers and being the homeroom mom for her daughters class. She is a member of the PTO as well as the Assistant Coordinator for the Discovery Language Academy Folkloric Group.

Diane currently lives in Acushnet with her husband and 2 children. When she was 3 years old, she immigrated to the United States from the island of Sao Miguel, Azores from a small village called Capelas. She is extremely proud of where she came from and her Portuguese culture is extremely important. Seeing that her parents as well as other immigrants didn’t have many resources to help them because of the language barrier, she decided to get a degree in accounting. Diane is a self-employed business woman, owning her own Accounting firm for over 30 years. In the last couple of years, she has branched out to the Insurance and Financial fields. Her passion for helping others has lead her to be part of many non-profit organizations.