Role: LA Policy & Engagement Manager

Background: Gabriel Gutierrez brings more than 14 years of experience in nonprofit work, policy, and advocacy to his role as NFYI’s LA Policy & Engagement Manager. As a Latino and P’urhépecha professional who has personally navigated houselessness and the foster care system, Gabriel is deeply committed to bridging child welfare policy with the lived experiences of foster and adoptee communities.

Gabriel’s advocacy began early: at 9 years old, during his own adoption process, he successfully secured a new name that honored his biological family’s roots. That early act of self-advocacy set the trajectory for a career built on amplifying the voices of others. His work has spanned civic leadership development for youth and parents at Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA, guiding UCLA undergraduates in advocating for educational policy reform, and most recently serving as Campaigns Manager at Arts For LA, where he helped draft arts and 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 first-hand 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!