When Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez approached the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) to create a program preparing Latino professionals for nonprofit board service, the need was urgent. Latinos make up over one-third of Orange County’s population but remain vastly underrepresented on nonprofit boards.
Now in its third year, the Avanzar Board Leadership Academy is a proven success. Since 2023, 60 professionals have completed the program, with roughly half serving on nonprofit boards across Orange County.
The academy, which partners with Los Angeles-based consulting firm Adelante Partners Inc. in the development and management of the program, bridges the gap by providing a unique pathway to leadership and community involvement.
A Program Modeled for Success
“Our program is modeled after a highly successful initiative by the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley,” Vasquez told the Business Journal. “We assessed their model and adapted it to Orange County’s unique environment.”
Cathleen Otero, OCCF’s chief operating officer, emphasized the gap Avanzar addresses.
“Latinos haven’t historically served on many boards, so often there’s no family or mentor experience to draw from,” she said. “Participants come with open minds and hearts, ready to learn how to step into these roles.”
The impact is multi-layered. “Nonprofits gain committed, well-prepared board members,” Otero said. “Participants develop leadership skills beyond their day jobs, which benefits their employers as well.”
She also noted that employees serving on boards align with their companies’ social responsibility goals, deepening corporate connections to the community.
Demand for Avanzar is strong, with more applicants than spots available. “There’s usually a waiting list,” Otero said. “We review applications each winter and launch the program in March, continuously improving based on participant feedback.”
Focus on the Fundamentals
Avanzar offers 10 sessions, both virtual and in-person, covering nonprofit governance, financial oversight, fundraising, organizational strategy and relationship building.
Facilitators include experienced board members, executive directors and subject experts. Topics range from board-chair and executive director dynamics to personal branding and board prospecting.
The goal is to ensure graduates are ready to join a nonprofit board within 1–2 years.
This strategy is working.
Nearly 50% of the 2023, 2024 and 2025 cohorts have secured board placements at local organizations like Latino Health Access, Waymakers, Meals on Wheels OC, OCCORD, WISEPlace, CIELO and Charitable Ventures.
Success Stories in Leadership
Luis Cachua, director of multicultural strategy at Santa Ana-based digital media company Foodbeast, and a graduate of the inaugural Avanzar cohort, serves on the CIELO board.
“Avanzar prepared me to approach board service with more thoughtful questions and a clearer sense of impact,” Cachua said. “I’ve grown into a more active role: connecting CIELO to our community while leading with empathy and amplifying voices.”
Designed specifically for Latino professionals living or working in Orange County, Avanzar provides a distinct path for individuals ready to give back. Applicants must be interested in joining a board within 1–2 years and open to local nonprofit matches.
Beyond skills, the program connects graduates to a professional network that helps unlock board opportunities. For many, it’s their first exposure to the nonprofit ecosystem, which can feel inaccessible without prior connections.
“I learned how to identify where my skills, network, and experience could add value,” Cachua shared. “It helped me approach board service strategically (by) focusing on governance, asking the right questions, and turning ideas into tangible impact.”
Building a Pipeline for Latino Leadership
With three successful cohorts, Avanzar is becoming a key pipeline for cultivating Latino board leadership across health, education, housing, arts and youth development sectors.
“Start by finding an organization whose mission speaks to your heart,” Cachua said. “You don’t need to have all the answers. Your lived experience and perspective are already valuable. Board service is meaningful but requires preparation to lead effectively.
Programs like Avanzar helped me understand my role, ask better questions, and focus my strengths where they can make the most impact. It also gave me a community of Latino board leaders to connect with and share experiences.”
Ambassador Vasquez summed up the program’s impact: “We’re developing a talent pool with a genuine interest in serving. They gain the right tools and knowledge to be well-prepared board members. Organizations are better suited to provide services and access to a growing population in the years ahead.”
