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

Manuel J. Louro was born in Cortiçal, Santarém, Portugal and immigrated to New Bedford, Massachusetts with his parents in 1969. He graduated from New Bedford High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Southeastern Massachusetts University (now the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth) in 1984.

Manny has over 40 years of experience in sales, management, and business development. His career includes leadership roles with American Business Products, Ikon Office Solutions, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Xerox Corporation, and Toshiba Business Solutions, where he currently serves as a consistent President’s Club performer.

Account Manager. He is also a part-time licensed Realtor for over 17 years. Currently affiliated with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services – Robert Paul Properties. Avid real estate investor since 1994.

He has been an active member of the Prince Henry Society of Massachusetts, New Bedford Chapter since 1992, serving as Past President, Co-Chair of the Scholarship Committee, and President of the PHS State Council. Manny has also served on the Finance Committee at St. Mary’s Church where he and his wife are eucharist ministers. Active board of a tennis club where I served as the President for 40 years and still compete at a high level.

Manny and his wife, Elizabeth, have been married since 1985 and live in South Dartmouth. They have one daughter, Marissa, and twin granddaughters.

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.

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.

As the proud daughter of Portuguese immigrants from the Island of São Miguel, Elizabeth’s first language was Portuguese, and her rich heritage plays an integral role in shaping who she is. Beyond her cultural roots, she is also a proud mother of three children and a loving grandmother to three wonderful grandchildren.
With over 30 years of extensive experience in the mortgage industry, Elizabeth brings a wealth of professional knowledge and a strong work ethic to the board. Deeply committed to giving back to her community, it is profoundly important to her to see the Portuguese culture continue to grow and thrive.
Elizabeth is excited to contribute her valuable skills and passion to support the Discovery Language Academy’s vital mission of fostering language and cultural development. Her dedication to her heritage and community makes her an exceptional addition to our leadership.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kelly Rebeiro–Oliveira is a passionate advocate for education reform, the arts, public policy, youth development, and sustainability.
As a former C-Suite executive of Platform Learning and Edison Schools, her work made a significant impact on education policy changes in Manhattan, Philadelphia, Miami, and Chicago. Kelly’s commitment to holistic education and her expertise in integrating fine arts into traditional education has been shaped by her extensive artistic background, including her collaboration with The Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington, D.C. She earned her BA from Rutgers University, double majoring in Psychology and Communications, an MAT in Multicultural Pedagogical Teaching & Curriculum from Roger Williams University, and studied Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity at Cornell University. Through evidence-based programs, advocacy, and education, Ms. Rebeiro-Oliveira is dedicated to providing every child with a strong foundation for lifelong health, learning, and success