Role: LA Policy & Engagement Manager

Background: As a leader, Gabriel brings 14+ years of experience in nonprofit, policy, and advocacy initiatives. As a Latino and P’urhépecha professional shaped by his experiences navigating houselessness and the foster care system, he believes deeply in bridging child welfare policy implementation with foster-adoptee-centric modalities.

Gabriel first leaned into advocacy when successfully securing his new name at 9 years old during his adoption process that honored his biological family roots. Since then, his expanded advocacy includes grasstops and grassroots organizing for Angelinos belonging to the foster care, first generation, and immigrant community. His work includes civic leadership development for youth and parents at Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA, guiding UCLA undergraduates to advocate for educational policy reform including holistic UCLA admission processes, and most recently served as a Campaigns Manager at Arts For LA drafting arts & culture policy recommendations for the 2028 Cultural Olympiad in LA County.

Why you like working at NFYI:  As a former foster youth and adult adoptee, I understand firsthand the impact great child welfare policy can have on the future of young people in the foster care system. I am excited to add to the long-standing impact of NFYI through local coalition building and policy initiatives being a part of the amazing NFYI team.

Passion/Hobbies/Aspiration: Cooking vegan food, watching science fiction movies, and finding new healthy restaurants to try in different cities.

Fun Personal Fact: Gabriel led UCLA Ethnic Studies undergraduate courses where he highlighted activist history. He had the opportunity to meet, facilitate a panel, and have activism conversations with long-standing labor leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers union Dolores Huerta!