El Tímpano is excited to announce a change of titles reflecting shared top leadership at the organization. As of October 1, El Tímpano is helmed by two Co-Executive Directors: Madeleine Bair and Deana Balinton. 

Madeleine Bair, the founder of El Tímpano, is now the Co-ED, Chief of Programs & Strategy. She shares executive leadership with Deana Balinton, Co-ED, Chief of Operations. 

Hired in early 2022, Deana joined as El Tímpano’s first Civic Partnerships Manager. Since then, her role has expanded to include leading the outreach team and overseeing operations to support the fast-growing organization.

In announcing the change to staff, Madeleine wrote, “Deana is the perfect person to join me in co-leadership of El Tímpano. In many ways, she has been doing so for some time. Hired when El Tímpano had just one full-time employee, her work and strategic partnership have been pivotal in growing the organization. In the past three and a half years, Deana has worn numerous hats, demonstrating with each one her leadership and initiative in supporting El Tímpano’s mission and sustainability as well as her commitment to personal growth. I’ve come to rely on Deana as a thought partner whose strengths—including her background in nonprofit management, finances, and coaching—complement my own.”

Born and raised in Antioch to immigrant parents, Deana has devoted the majority of her career to serving her community. She stated, “I am honored to step into the role of Co-Executive Director and Chief of Operations at El Tímpano. This milestone is not mine alone—it is the result of the support, guidance, and encouragement I have received throughout my journey.

“I want to thank my past mentors who have invested in my growth, my colleagues whose collaboration continues to inspire me, and the leadership at El Tímpano for their trust and partnership. Most importantly, I am grateful to my parents, who immigrated from Guatemala and worked tirelessly to ensure I had every opportunity possible. Their sacrifices and resilience have shaped who I am today.

“My family’s history is also a huge reason I feel such a personal tie to El Tímpano’s mission. I look forward to continuing this work with our extraordinary team and community, building on our mission to uplift and amplify immigrant voices.”