Staff and Board

James Martinez brings over two decades of nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and advocacy experience to SALSA. His career highlights include raising millions of dollars for organizations across Texas, doubling the endowment at Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, and securing major gifts and partnerships that advanced sustainability and growth.

James was the first Texan and Hispanic to be awarded the Vilar Fellowship at the Kennedy Center, later serving as Manager for International Programming, where he directed global cultural exchanges such as the Festival of China. He also played a key role in Smoke-Free San Antonio, leading advocacy that resulted in the passage of the city’s 2009 smoke-free ordinance, and later advanced statewide clean air policies as State Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association.

A Gulf War era (wartime) veteran of the U.S. Air Force, James served with the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron at McChord Air Force Base and supported logistics and humanitarian airlift missions during Operation Support Hope and Operation Uphold Democracy. James attended the San Antonio College and The University of Phoenix, where he studied Business Marketing with a minor in Fine Arts. He has been recognized as one of the San Antonio Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Rising Stars. Outside of work, he has coached girls’ soccer with Alamo Heights Fort Sam Houston for over 15 years and enjoys spending time with his children: Skylar, Annika, Bella, Ceily, Jules, and Maverick.

Bob joined SALSA as a staff attorney and legal fellow with SALSA’s Housing and Homelessness Program and has since progressed to the role of Managing Attorney. Bob began in the legal profession as a solo practitioner in elder law, specializing in special needs planning.  As a law student, he participated broadly in indigent legal work, representing clients in eviction cases at St. Mary’s Center for Legal and Social Justice and interning with both the Public Defender Service for D.C. and the Federal Public Defender office in San Antonio.

Before entering the legal profession, Bob served in the US Army for twenty years, before retiring in 2019 as a lieutenant colonel. He is a graduate of West Point, Texas A&M University, and St. Mary’s University School of Law. In 2020, he was selected as Tillman Scholar by the Pat Tillman Foundation for his commitment to giving a voice to the disenfranchised as well as his record of accomplishment. He is a member of the National Low Income Housing Coalition and National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Miranda McCardle is SALSA’s Communications & Outreach Manager. She earned her BA in Marketing at University of the Incarnate Word. Her upbringing in San Antonio impassioned her to give back to her community by empowering artists, small businesses, and non-profits through her marketing and digital design capability.

She has over seven years of legal experience from working as a legal assistant and business manager in a small law firm. Miranda aims to use her multifaceted skill set to help facilitate SALSA’s rapid growth and commitment to closing the justice gap though creating connections to vital legal resources for those in need.

Tashawna Campbell is a pro bono coordinator with SALSA’s Veterans Legal Services program. Tashawna joined our team in 2018 and has been the backbone of the program during our transition to a full-service pro bono organization. Tashawna has over five years experience exclusively working with underserved residents in Texas, beginning her pro bono services career with Houston Volunteer Lawyers.

Tashawna takes pride in helping veterans, as she comes from a military family. She completed the University of the Incarnate Word Paralegal Certificate Course in 2020.

Mónica Palma, SALSA’s first Equal Justice Works Fellow, leads the legal home at the Multi-Assistance Center (MAC) at Morgan’s Wonderland. Mónica is a proud Colombian-American and grew up in Connecticut. Mónica attended the University of Hartford for undergrad majoring in special education, prior to teaching in public, private, and charter schools. Mónica later earned her Master of Education at Texas State University where she graduated with a concentration in Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Mónica obtained her board certification in behavior analysis and as a BCBA served as the director of clinical operations for an ABA clinic in San Antonio, TX. Mónica then decided to pursue a law degree so that she could better serve the special needs community she loves. Mónica graduated in May of 2023 from St. Mary’s University School of Law earning the Dean’s Award, Adele Advocate for the Poor Award, and the Catherine Stone Rock of Justice Award. Mónica is on the Board of Directors of Mission Alpha Advocacy (MAA), a non-profit advocating for world class healthcare for military families.  

Alison is a pro bono coordinator with SALSA’s Estates & Disabilities program. Alison graduated from Texas A&M University – College Station in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Like many who call Military City home, her family history was shaped by the diversity and experience of growing up as a child of the military. She has 9 years of experience working with legal practices & non-profits in San Antonio; including over 2 years as a Pro Bono Coordinator for SALSA.

Alison is passionate about giving back to the community through her work with estate planning & disability assistance services. She looks forward to the services that SALSA is able to provide to people receiving assistance from The Multi-Assistance Center at Morgan’s Wonderland.