OUR STAFF
LUISA ORTEGA, Ed.D.
Inaugural Executive Director
Alumna, SLC 1995
Dr. Luisa Ortega is a transformational leader with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, program development, and community advocacy. As Executive Director of the Chicano Latino Youth
Leadership Project (CLYLP), she leads initiatives that address educational and civic disparities affecting Latino/Chicano youth. An Indigenous, first-generation Chicana and dedicated mother, she has championed access to education and mental health resources for marginalized communities.
Dr. Ortega holds a bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies and Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, a master’s in education from San Diego State University, and a doctorate in
Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. Her research on best practices for Latino male students in Los Angeles highlights her commitment to educational equity.
Her impact has been recognized with several honors, including the Bravas Award (2024) for visionary leadership, the HOPE Leadership Institute Fellowship (2025) for advancing Latina empowerment in
education and civic engagement, a 2025 Latino Spirit Award honoree recognized for community engagement by the California Latino Legislative Caucus, and a CORO Women in Leadership leader. She
has spoken at national conferences such as CABE, NACCS, and the CA Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, been featured in KVCR Latino Leaders Spotlight, and contributed to academic panels on non-profit leadership and Latino youth advocacy.
A proud daughter of immigrant parents, Luisa credits their resilience and faith for shaping her path. As a mother of three—including two college students—she remains deeply invested in the future of education, community-building, and social justice for future generations.
EVELIN CASTAÑEDA, M.S.
Program Coordinator
Alumna, SLC 2017
Evelin earned her B.A. in Education with a minor in Chicano Studies from the University of California, Riverside, and an M.S. in Educational Leadership from California Baptist University. Her passion for education stems from navigating five public schools across different Los Angeles communities. Being a first-generation, low-income scholar, Evelin immersed herself in community organizing spaces in order to impress upon others the importance of pursuing higher education..
As a servant and authentic leader, Evelin grounds her work in community, culture, and identity. Her mission as a community leader and educator is to help others embrace their authentic selves, recognize the strength in their story, and lead with confidence rooted in their identities.
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Her commitment to educating and uplifting others comes from years of working with both high school and college students who share similar lived experiences. Evelin recognizes the significance of sharing resources and its direct impact on improving students’ lives, which fuels her dedication to promoting educational access through online platforms. Prior to working in higher education, she served as a high school Dream Center Site Supervisor in her hometown of Los Angeles, where she created and implemented programs for student organizations and advised students on college readiness and financial aid.
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Throughout her professional career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to planning, developing, implementing, and assessing programs designed to support the success and retention of first-generation low-income college students, students of color, LGBT+ individuals, and students with disabilities at both the college and high school levels. Evelin remains driven to serve, motivate, and empower first-generation and low-income students to increase representation in higher education and across the professional world.