I believe the role of philanthropic organizations is to act as a unifier and bring people from different sectors together to accomplish common goals.

Philanthropy has the capital and flexibility to act courageously and fuel change from the bottom up. Working in philanthropy fulfills my desire to foster well-resourced organizations that can be the backbone of support to the communities they serve.

JBMF’s commitment to investing in inclusive, next-generation leadership is a pillar of our work that I am deeply passionate about. I believe that having diverse leaders in positions of power that bring their culture and unique perspectives to the table can create a more equitable future for everyone.

My passion for leadership stems from my grandfather’s influence. A proud first-generation Mexican-American, he instilled the values of accountability and civic engagement inside me since very young. Being a Marine war veteran, he believed strongly in freedom and fought for it as a soldier.

His dedication to justice extended beyond his military service and shaped his role as the patriarch of my family. He encouraged all of us to use our voices and be involved civically. With his direction, I wrote a letter to an LA congressperson asking for more funding for school systems — at the wise age of 10. A family vacation looked like traveling to DC to learn about history, democracy, and attempts to meet elected officials in person.

Though he sadly passed when I was 15, he taught me many lessons that drive my work in philanthropy.