SENEN CAMARENA RUIZ VELASCO
BBA, Almendra’s Loving Father

Chief Executive Officer and Founder

Senen Camarena is a highly accomplished, bicultural business executive, entrepreneur, and Process Reliability Engineer with a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Washington and over thirty years of experience managing cost optimization and operational logistics. He holds three U.S. patents for developing Tencel/Lyocell fiber manufacturing processes and serves as an Organizational Change Agent for JMEG LLC, engineering standardized best practices across the company. As a strategic partner at Suarez, Camarena & Associates, he designs high-accountability financial frameworks to minimize systemic liabilities.

Following the tragic loss of his eldest daughter, Almendra, Senen founded the organization to channel personal grief into positive change. As CEO, he draws on his background in systems engineering and cross-divisional standardization to lead the foundation’s vision, direct public-private school district integrations, steer strategic capital allocation, and drive the legislative expansion of the Almendra Act across Texas.

YANETH ALEJANDRA SUAREZ MACIAS
BPA, SP, AUD, CAA

Compliance Officer

Yaneth Alejandra Suarez Macias is a Venezuelan-born entrepreneur, accountant, and nonprofit leader with more than 20 years of professional experience in accounting, auditing, business consulting, and organizational management. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Accounting and a Master’s Degree in Auditing, and has built a distinguished career helping individuals, families, and business owners achieve financial stability and long-term success.

As Founder and CEO of Suarez, Camarena & Associates, a Texas-based accounting and consulting firm, Yaneth provides tax, accounting, compliance, and business advisory services to entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on immigrant-owned businesses. Her work has helped hundreds of families and small business owners navigate complex regulatory systems, improve financial literacy, and build sustainable economic opportunities across Venezuela, Ecuador, and the United States.

Within The Almendra Foundation, Yaneth serves as Treasurer and Compliance Officer, providing strategic leadership, financial oversight, governance development, and operational planning. She is committed to advancing the Foundation’s mission of supporting children and families facing educational, psychological, medical, and socioeconomic challenges through sustainable programs, strategic partnerships, and community engagement – combining financial expertise, entrepreneurial vision, and a deep passion for service.

JAMES BISHOP
Ph.D, LPC, NCC

Director of Clinical Framework Development

Dr. James C. Bishop is an educational psychologist, licensed professional counselor, and author with more than two decades of experience working with neurodivergent children, adolescents, and adults. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Psychology and has dedicated his career to advancing the understanding of human potential, talent development, psychological well-being, and educational excellence.

Throughout his professional career, Dr. Bishop has provided counseling, consultation, assessment, and educational services to individuals, families, schools, and organizations. His work has focused particularly on the social and emotional development of gifted and high-ability students, as well as individuals facing complex educational and psychological challenges. As a licensed professional counselor, he integrates evidence-based therapeutic approaches with a deep understanding of cognitive, emotional, and developmental factors that influence learning and achievement. He has authored scholarly publications, educational resources, and professional presentations on gifted education, counseling psychology, creativity, talent development, and the unique needs of exceptional learners.

At the Almendra Foundation, Dr. Bishop leads educational programming, psychological consultation, strategic planning, and family support initiatives. He is committed to helping children, adolescents, and families overcome educational, emotional, and social barriers while fostering resilience, well-being, achievement, and lifelong growth.