José Luis Montero joins La Sala as their new part-time Executive Director

(March 3, 2024, Seattle) La Sala announces the addition of José Luis “Pepe” Montero as the Executive Director (part-time, effective 2/10/2024). As the Executive Director of La Sala, Montero is responsible for organizational operations and oversight, programing, fundraising, marketing, financial and development reports. For more information, he can be reached at info@lasalanw.org.

José Luis “Pepe” Montero is a bilingual writer, technologist, and literary advocate. Originally from Mexico, he spent two decades in the tech industry and explored diverse creative avenues including radio, photography, and filmmaking, before turning his focus to storytelling. Holding both an MBA and MFAs in Narrative and Poetry, he adeptly merges technology and creativity across for-profit and nonprofit spheres. His editorial journey includes internships at Copper Canyon Press and Narrative Magazine before joining the Jack Straw Writers Program in 2021. Committed to amplifying marginalized voices, particularly within the Latine/x community, he champions equity and diversity in the arts through various nonprofit roles. A former president of Seattle Escribe, he now leads the board of Seattle City of Literature, an organization that manages this UNESCO designation, and acts as the Spanish-community liaison for 4Culture’s Poetry in Public initiative. His journey with La Sala began with La Cocina, his very first commission, inspiring a commitment to create similar opportunities for fellow Latine/x artists.