Evita Chavez
Program Officer, State Housing Advocacy
Why do you do what you do?
The opportunities in the lower-income, Latino neighborhood in which I grew up were vastly different from the opportunities available for residents of the adjacent, predominately white, and affluent neighborhood. I’ve spent a lot of my life learning about why and how these differences came to be and how we can collectively achieve a different reality. I believe a world where everyone has the same access to opportunity, regardless of their zip code, is possible and I want to work to make that a reality.
What drew you to the foundation?
I was drawn to the foundation’s commitment to integrate the values of equity, inclusion and diversity, internally and externally, which has resulted in inspiring and creative work to reimagine and reshape long-standing systems.
How would you describe your role?
I support the foundation’s state housing advocacy efforts through strategy development, capacity building and policy expertise to advance affordable housing policy and systems change efforts for tenant protections and affordable housing preservation and production. Specifically, I am working with foundation staff and field leaders to strengthen relationships and capacity across California with the goal of catalyzing transformative systemic change to address the state’s devastating housing crisis.
Are you involved in any volunteer activities?
I’m an active volunteer for my alma mater, Occidental College, as both a volunteer for the college’s Admissions Office and a member of the Board of Governors.