Sonia Avitia is the Deputy Executive Director at the Latino Education Advancement Foundation (LEAF), where she leverages over 25 years of expertise in operations, management, and leadership to drive organizational efficiency and impact. A first-generation college graduate with a B.S. in Business Management from Santa Clara University, Sonia brings a deep understanding of the challenges faced by underrepresented students and a commitment to guiding them toward academic success.

Her professional background spans finance, human resources, facilities, risk management, and communications, with leadership roles at organizations like SV@Home and other nonprofits. As well as a long span of working with elected officials. Sonia’s dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion is deeply rooted in her own experiences as an immigrant and woman of color.

Beyond her work at LEAF, Sonia has been a mentor to hundreds of women entrepreneurs as a Mary Kay Independent Sales Director since 1995 and she and her family are proud recipients of the La Familia Award from the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley.

Sonia’s life and career reflect her unwavering commitment to empowering students, families, and communities, ensuring they have the support and opportunities to thrive.