2024-2025 Leadership Council

Director of Operations

Yaritza Gonzalez (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Inglewood, CA by Mexican parents, and is a role model to her two younger sisters.

In 2016, she earned a B.A. in Geography with a minor in Public Policy from Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH and later earned her M.A. in Public Policy from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Currently, Yaritza works as a Policy Manager at an immigrant rights nonprofit organization that advances immigration policy at the federal, state, and local level.  

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 also a Co-Founder of the ING Fellowship.

Director of Communications

Alejandra Medina (she/her/hers) is a First-Gen Latina storyteller born and raised in Inglewood, CA to 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 Sacramento State University. While in Sacramento, she was involved with the university’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion and local community grassroots organizations. 

Ale’s natural flair for storytelling and deep advocacy for multicultural communities led her to a career as a Multicultural Creative Strategist in the digital marketing industry. Her mission is to champion inclusion for all through her professional and community work.

Ale is also a Co-Founder of the ING Fellowship. 

Director of Policy

Leonel Garcia (he/him/his) was born and raised in Inglewood, CA to Mexican parents from Oaxaca, Mexico. He has three brothers. Inglewood, CA has been his home for over 30 years.

In 2015, Leo earned a BA in Political Science from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY.

In 2016, Leo was chosen by Councilmember Alex Padilla to serve as the District 2 Parking and Traffic Commissioner and served until 2022.

Currently, he works as a Senior Recreation Leader for the City of Inglewood Parks & Rec Department and helps oversee the City’s Youth Sports program. 

Leo is also an ING 2020 Fellow Alumni. Since then he has been an active member of the ING Leadership Council and served as Co-Director/Director of Organizing & Policy from 2022-2024.

Director of Community Organizing & Advocacy

Karla Vasquez (she/her/hers) was born in San Salvador, El Salvador and raised in Hawthorne, CA by a strong, single Salvadoran mother. 

 

Currently, Karla is a fourth-year student at the University of California, Los Angeles. She is double majoring  in Labor Studies and Political Science and double minoring in Community Engagement and Social Change and Central American Studies. She is passionate about civic engagement, volunteerism, and advocacy for underserved communities.

 

Grounded on social justice and radical love, Karla advocates for equity in community-driven efforts. 


Karla is an ING 2022 Fellow Alumni. Since then she has been an active member of the ING Leadership Council and served as Director of Organizing during 2023-2024.

Community Organizing & Advocacy Committee Member

Amber (she/they) is a Queer Xicana, warrior, educator, and community leader. She was born and raised in Inglewood and Lennox, CA by Mexican immigrants, and is a proud eldest sister to her five younger siblings. These are the identities that she holds closest to her heart. She credits her success to the intergenerational support systems that she has inherited throughout her journey.

In 2019, Amber earned her B.A. in Chicanx Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. She recently earned her M.S. in Counseling, School Option with Pupil Personnel Service Credential and Child Welfare Attendance Authorization & College Counseling Certificate at the California State University, Dominguez Hills. 

As an Educator and Counselor, she comprehends learning as a reciprocal and lifelong encounter where everyone is simultaneously a student and teacher. Therefore, she challenges her educational partners to reach their optimal potential while practicing compassion and centering their cultural knowledge. 

Amber is also a Co-Founder of the ING Fellowship. Overall, she intends to continue paying her experiences forward by planting seeds of liberation and nourishing future generations, just as others have done for her.

Summer Fellow

Edgar Diaz (he/him/his) was born and raised in Inglewood, CA and is a proud first-generation college student raised by Mexican parents. The youngest of four siblings, Edgar is a rising senior at Stanford University, pursuing a B.A. in Communications and Comparative Studies in Race & Ethnicity, with a concentration in Education & Inequality.

This summer, Edgar is serving as a Fellow with the ING Fellowship, where he supports efforts to build community and uplift youth in Inglewood. Passionate about expanding access to higher education in low-income communities, Edgar soon plans to pursue a Master’s and eventually  become a licensed attorney. 

His long-term goals include eliminating educational inequalities and fighting for students who are often forced to navigate systemic challenges on their own. He hopes to create educational programs and opportunities specifically for high school students in underserved communities, empowering the next generation with the resources they deserve.

Community Organizing & Advocacy Committee Member

Yadira (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Inglewood, CA by a Mexican mother and Puerto Rican father. 

In 2019, she earned a B.A in Sociology from California State University, Dominguez Hills and later earned a Paralegal certificate. 

Yadira has worked as a Paralegal at an immigrant rights nonprofit organization that provides immigration legal services in Los Angeles, CA. Currently, Yadira works as a Litigation Paralegal providing Personal Injury legal services in Los Angeles, CA. 

Yadira is also an ING 2020 Fellow Alumni. Since then she has been an active member of the ING Leadership Council and served as Co-Director of Fundraising & Marketing during 2021-2023.

Community Organizing & Advocacy Committee Member

Guadalupe Rivera (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Inglewood, CA by Mexican parents.

In 2020, Guadalupe earned her B.A. in Criminal Justice with two minors in Sociology and Counseling from Sacramento State University and later earned her M.A. in Social Work with a Clinical focus from Loyola University of Chicago.

Currently, Guadalupe works at a Mental Health agency providing therapeutic services to youth, adolescents, and adults from marginalized communities. She aspires to invest her time as a healer/guide in marginalized communities on an individual and collective level.

Guadalupe is also an ING 2021 Fellow Alumni.