Lisa Marie Alvarado - Latino Community Foundation

Lisa Marie Alvarado, Central Valley Philanthropy Fellow

Lisa is an empowered woman striving to empower more women.

In her role as Central Valley Philanthropy Fellow, Lisa will work to strengthen the Latino Giving Circle Network in the Central Valley and support The Roots of Latino Power Initiative to create leadership development opportunities and increase civic engagement among Latinos.

For over six year, Lisa organized young women on reproductive health and leadership with ACT for Women and Girls. As a two-time graduate of The Female Leadership Academy, a volunteer, and employee, Lisa grew alongside the organization and was the driving force behind the Don’t Let a Hot Date Turn into a Due Date campaign. As Program Manager, Lisa managed and co-facilitated two Teen Success groups in the Valley, one in Visalia and another in Exeter; cultivated and created The Alumni Association; and facilitated new cohorts of The Female Leadership Academy.

Lisa’s love for learning and adventure sent her to Oakland on a fellowship for The Organizing and Leadership Academy (TOLA). She was instrumental as a campaign lead and worked alongside her TOLA fellows defeating Big Soda with their “Yes on Measure D” campaign. Upon graduation and passing the first ever soda tax in the nation, Lisa wanted to pursue a career as an organizer and convener. She set intentions on doing it where is mattered most, the heart of the Central Valley and her home, Visalia.

When she’s not smashing the patriarchy or volunteering with her favorite organizations, you can find Lisa instructing paint nights at Blending Palettes. She enjoys “nerding” out at the Visalia Public Library, stuffing her face at Farmers Markets, and supporting all things local.