Yadira is a first-generation college graduate and East San Jose native. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside, and her Master's in Public Policy from the University of Southern California.

With over 9 years of experience in education and the nonprofit sector, Yadira has dedicated her career to supporting students and families on their path to higher education. Her background spans college access, scholarship administration, and college success — helping students not just get to college, but through it. As a first-generation graduate herself, Yadira understands firsthand how transformative programs like LEAF can be. That understanding fuels her passion for this work: helping students, families, and the community break down the barriers standing between them and their educational goals.