Advisory Board Members
Dr. Aisa Pessagno
Dr. Aisa Pessagno-Delroy was born in Lima, Peru, and since 2006 she has lived in Oklahoma with her husband, Dr. Enrique Villar, and their two sons. She holds a master’s degree in higher education from the University of Central Oklahoma and a master’s in Spanish Literature from the University of Oklahoma. Her Ph.D. is from Swansea University, in the United Kingdom, where her dissertation focused in the evolution of the female characters in the fiction of the Peruvian Nobel Prize in Literature Mario Vargas Llosa.
Aisa is a Lecturer at the University of Central Oklahoma and teaches some courses at Tulsa Community College. She is a founding member of Latinas WIN, Women in Norman and an advisor to Mita’s Foundation.
Rodger Randle
Former mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Bio on Wikipedia
Dr. Enrique Villar-Gambetta
Honorary Consul of Peru
Bio on Studio Villar
Board Members
Dr. E. R. Bautista • USA
Miriam Camino-Wolosky • USA
Beatriz (Betty) Escudero • Peru
Gary Lee • USA
Bio on The Oklahoma Eagle
Gary Lee is the Executive Editor of two Tulsa based news publications, Tulsa Flyer and The Oklahoma Eagle. He is a veteran reporter and editor who has made impactful contributions to the mainstream media and the Black press. Gary has been a staff writer for Time magazine and a correspondent for the Washington Post. He was deputy chief of Time’s Bureau in Germany and chief of the Washington Post Bureau in Moscow, Russia.
Early in his career, Gary explored “news that does not come out of the typical centers of power.” He has written about the cultures of more than forty U.S. states and ninety countries—from Maine to Hawaii and Afghanistan to Wales. In 2024, The National Association of Black Journalists selected Gary as the annual Journalist of Distinction, one of the organization’s top honors. Gary was twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for coverage of Russia. After notable coverage of 9/11, he was awarded the Lowell Thomas Award for excellence in travel journalism.
Gary has led the Oklahoma Eagle to win multiple awards, including over two dozen 1st place prizes from the Oklahoma Press Association. In 2023, Gary was awarded the Ray Lokey Award, an annual prize given to one of the top writers in Oklahoma.
Gary is a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma. A Russian language and literature scholar, he also speaks German, French and Spanish. Gary also writes and ghostwrites books and is head of Andes International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving equity for immigrants and people of color through training and employment opportunities.
Gary is co-owner of Casa Arequipa, a boutique hotel in Arequipa, Peru. He also co-owned Las Canteras, a Peruvian restaurant in Washington, DC.
Betsy Lewallen • USA
Betsy Lewallen is a Peruvian immigrant, mother of three young adults, civic leader and passionate advocate. Her love for community service began years ago during her time at Newcomer International School, where she worked as the family/school facilitator, which ignited her love for community engagement and service. This experience allowed her to witness firsthand the power of education and collaboration in transforming lives and fostering a sense of shared purpose.
When Betsy is not assisting her clients with real estate transactions, she is deeply involved in various cross-cultural and educational events. Over the years, she has contributed to numerous organizations, included one that she holds dear to her heart—Mita’s Foundation.
Her unwavering dedication and compassionate approach have earned her recognitions and respect within the community. In 2024, the Human Rights Commission of the City of Tulsa recognized her as “Humanitarian of the Month.” In 2026, Betsy was named “Community Champion” by the Greenwood Women’s Business Center
Today, Betsy remains a driving force in her community, tirelessly working to uplift those around her and advocate for causes close to her heart. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of how personal passion and professional experiences can come together to make a lasting impact on future generations. Her journey is a testament to the profound influence that a single experience can have on one’s life path, and she continues to inspire others with her commitment to creating positive change.
Giannina Peña Escudero • Peru
Giannina Peña Escudero is the owner of Kay Restaurant in Peru. She enjoys cooking and helping others in her community. She also enjoys music. As a board member, Giannina’s role is vital because she lives in Peru. Prior to a team of Mita’s Foundation volunteers from the United States making the trip to Peru each year, Giannina facilitates the process of providing everything that the team will need to be successful in their mission.
She purchases all of the supplies and makes sure that the volunteers are committed and know their responsibilities. Giannina is very grateful to her father, Cesar Peña, and is humbled by his commitment not only to her grandmother Mita, but to the underprivileged children of Peru.
Mita's Foundation 