Voces Unidas is pleased to welcome Dr. Olivia García as Vice President of Research, Federal Policy and Leadership.
Originally from El Paso, Tex., Dr. García has a PhD in Political Science from UCLA and brings more than 15 years of experience in policy, research and leadership at the national level. Most recently, Dr. García served as Director of Public Policy for Esperanza United, a national victims advocate nonprofit. Before Esperanza United, Dr. García was the Director for Underserved Populations at the National Center for Victims of Crime. Her experience also includes serving as a congressional fellow for Nevada U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto in Washington, D.C for one year through the American Political Science Association Congressional Fellows program.
“While Dr. Garcia’s credentials are undeniably impressive, it’s her passion for the work and issues affecting Latino communities that truly stand out,” Voces Unidas CEO Alex Sánchez said. “We look forward to the benefits of Olivia’s leadership and impact as a researcher, policy leader and educator.”
This new position was created to further establish our research efforts used to achieve policy change that advances equity and racial, social and economic justice for rural Latinas and Latinos in the central mountain region of Colorado. Among her responsibilities, Dr. García will oversee the annual Colorado Latino Agenda research initiative (in partnership with COLOR), lead our work in D.C. to advance our federal policy priorities, and manage our leadership programs, including our international Civic Leader Education and Advocacy Program (CLEAP).
“I am excited to join the team at Voces Unidas to advance community-centered research that drives policy and support the leadership development of Latinas and Latinos in rural Colorado,” Dr. García said. “My background as a political scientist, educator, policy director in D.C., and daughter of immigrants should serve me well as we embark on this new strategic focus area for Voces Unidas.”
Olivia and her husband relocated from D.C. to Colorado this past year and now live in Arvada with their two dogs. In addition to her work at Voces Unidas, she serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in the Chicano Studies Department.
Welcome Olivia!
