Born and raised in East Palo Alto, Ofelia (she/her) is driven by her roots in this community, her love for the people, and the powerful history that resides in her hometown.

Ofelia loves working and organizing with young people from East Palo Alto and working in coalition with renter leaders who have been fighting for housing justice in this community, for years. Ofelia’s background is in urban planning and public policy, with expertise and specific interest in community development and housing. Ofelia currently sits on the East Palo Alto Planning Commission, chairs the Pahali Community Land Trust board of directors, and is a board member on the California Community Land Trust Network. She is humbled and grateful to join the YUCA family after having volunteered with the organization since finishing her master’s degree.    

Ofelia holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara in Sociology, U.S. History and Sociocultural Linguistics and a master’s degree in Urban and Public Affairs from the University of San Francisco.