2021-2022 Leadership council
Director of Fundraising
Yadira Colon (she/her/hers) was raised in Inglewood, CA to a Mexican mother and Puerto Rican father.
In 2019, she earned a B.A. in Sociology from California State University, Dominguez Hills. While at CSU Dominguez Hills, Yadira developed a passion for helping others.
Currently, she is earning her Paralegal certificate and is working as an instructional aid at an elementary school helping children develop the proper skills to transition into successful young adults. She is also the Co-Founder of @corazonescompasivos, which provides support to houseless people in Inglewood and South Bay, CA with meals and essential kits.
Yadira is a ING Fellowship alumna from our first ING 2020 Cohort.
Director of Programming
Estefany Castaneda (she/her/hers) was born in Inglewood, CA and raised in Lennox, CA by Mexican immigrants.
In 2016, she earned her A.A. at Santa Monica College, and transferred to the California State University, Northridge (CSUN). In 2018, she earned her B.A. in Sociology with an emphasis on Work and Society from CSUN.
During her senior year at CSUN, Estefany ran for the Centinela Valley Union High School District Board of Trustees for Seat 5 to represent Lennox, parts of Inglewood, and parts of Hawthorne. She ran a campaign centered on community engagement, transparency, and accountability. Estefany was elected in 2018 for a 4-year term, and is currently still serving on the Board.
Currently, she works with a local hotel workers union, and spends a lot of time working with grassroot mutual aid efforts that impact Inglewood and Lennox, CA.
Estefany aspires to continue to work on any and all active efforts that help produce changes that help meet our communities basic needs and battle the effects of gentrification in South Bay, CA.
Director of Organizing
Leonel Garcia (he/him/his) was raised in Inglewood, CA to Mexican parents from Oaxaca, Mexico. He has three brothers. Inglewood, CA has been his home for over 25 years.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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In 2015, Leo earned a B.A. in Political Science from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Since returning to Inglewood, CA he has helped various organizations and elected officials to make Inglewood, CA a better place. In 2016, Leo was chosen by Councilmember Alex Padilla to serve as the District 2 Parking and Traffic Commissioner.
Currently, he works as a Senior Recreation Leader for the City of Inglewood Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department.
Leo is a ING Fellowship alum from our first ING 2020 Cohort.
Director of Operations
Yaritza Gonzalez (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Inglewood, CA by Mexican parents, and is a proud role model to her two younger sisters.
In 2016, Yaritza earned a B.A. in Geography with a minor in Public Policy from Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH.
Currently, she is obtaining her M.A. in Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
She plans on becoming a licensed attorney to help eradicate the systemic injustices that hinder underrepresented communities like hers from thriving in society.
Yaritza is a Co-Founder of the ING Fellowship.