2021-2022 Leadership council
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.
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.
Fundraising Committee Member
Lily Trejo (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Inglewood, CA by a Salvadoran mother and Mexican father.
In 2016, Lily earned a B.A. in Sociology and Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). While at UCSB, Lily developed a passion for helping others through volunteer work as a member of Sigma Alpha Zeta, an organization on campus.
Since graduating from UCSB, Lily has worked as a Behavior Interventionist, Youth Counselor, and Program Associate. She hopes to dedicate herself to a career in social justice.
Lily is also a Co-Founder of the ING Fellowship.
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.
Organizing Committee Member
Alejandra Medina (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Inglewood, CA by a Guatemalan mother and a Mexican father. She is the youngest of three daughters and has a younger brother.
In 2018, Ale earned a B.A. in English from California State University, Sacramento. While in Sacramento, she was involved with the university’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion and local community grassroots organizations.
Since returning to Inglewood, CA, she has worked as a freelance writer with a focus on multicultural stories and an after school teacher in Inglewood.
Ale is also a Co-Founder of the ING Fellowship.
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.
Programming Committee Member
Amber Olmos (she/they) was born and raised in Inglewood and Lennox by Mexican immigrants, and she is a proud role model to her five younger siblings.
In 2019, Amber earned her B.A. in Chicanx Studies from the University of California, Los Ángeles. While at UCLA Amber discovered her purpose of struggling alongside Youth of Color toward educational and social justice through MEChA Xinachtli, an undergraduate student ran access project on campus.
Since graduating from UCLA, Amber has worked as a Youth Counselor, Femtor, University Teaching Assistant, Special Education Coordinator, Middle School Elective Teacher, and recently College Adviser. She hopes to pay her experiences forward by planting seeds and nourishing future generations.
Amber is also a Co- Founder of the ING Fellowship.
Programming Committee Member
Kevin Pizarro (he/him/his) was born in Queens, New York to Peruvian immigrants. His family eventually moved to Lawndale, California when he was just one and has lived in the South Bay Area ever since. His friends often refer to him as a townie for not wanting to move out of Lawndale.
In 2019, Kevin earned a B.A. in Sociology from California State University, Long Beach and has worked as an advocate for families in the South Bay Area. His work includes working with the Lawndale Community Fridge, the House of Yahweh’s food bank, and volunteering his time passing out resources and relief efforts to members of the South Bay community.
Currently, his passions are advocating for members of our communities such as low income families, folks with disabilities, our houseless neighbors, our undocumented neighbors, and other marginalized groups. This passion comes from his lived experiences in dealing with members of his community that actively voice they are being left out of conversations. He’ll help connect members of our communities to resources that they use to aid their situations.
Kevin aspires to continue his work in engaging in collective efforts to provide basic needs to all who need them. Overall, wanting the eventual freedoms of all oppressed people. His future aspirations is to engage in more efforts that combat the violent gentrification that removes families from their homes due to profits being valued higher over people.
Kevin is also an ING 2021 Fellow Alumni.