Latinas First Foundation congratulates our Executive Director, Dr. Judi Diaz Bonacquisti, on her appointment to the University of Colorado system. While we will miss her leadership at LFF, we are proud that she will be living the Latinas First mission while continuing to serve diverse communities as Senior Diversity Officer. She will report to CU President, Todd Saliman, beginning October 1st.
As LFF’s inaugural executive director, Dr. Diaz Bonaquisti, has spent the last few years working tirelessly to further LFF’s mission and values. During her tenure, she has been one of the driving forces behind our success as she increased LFF’s revenue, grown LFF’s social media presence, and developed strong relationships with our scholars, honorees, and corporate and college partners. “Judi has been instrumental in developing a solid foundation for Latinas First and quickly building upon that foundation. She has enabled us to have sustainability that will allow us to thrive into the future,” said Juanita Chacon, LFF Co-Founder.
Meshach Rhoades, LFF Co-Founder added, “[w]e are so incredibly grateful for Dr. Diaz Bonaquisti’s leadership and dedication to our community and LFF’s mission. She ushered in a new era of growth for LFF. She brought dynamic energy and vision to our work, while broadening our impact within the Latina community. While the world was undergoing significant change, Dr. Diaz Bonaquisti’s steady guidance allowed us to focus on what was most important- the community we serve. With more than two decades of education experience, extensive experience leading, fundraising, and strong ties to our community, she laid the groundwork for a more sustainable future for Latinas First.
Dr. Diaz Bonacquisti’s vision and leadership will be greatly missed by the Board, scholarship alumni, award recipients, and nonprofit partners alike. We wish her the best of luck in her next chapter, and we thank her for her dedication to LFF.
Over the next several months, Latinas First will be conducting a thorough search to find its next executive director. It is our priority to find a dynamic leader with a true passion for our mission to empower the next generation of Latina leaders and embolden them to reach their fullest potential through scholarship, mentorship and sponsorship. We will share the job announcement soon and ask for your help in identifying candidates who can help Latinas First take its next steps.
About Latinas First Foundation:
The Latinas First Foundation enters its 11th year supporting future Latina Leaders in our community to fulfill their dreams, while recognizing trailblazers and unsung heroines for their heroic work in and around Colorado. While we celebrate the cultural and historical contributions Latinas have made in Colorado, we also lift Latinas up through scholarship, mentorship, and sponsorship. We have awarded 189 scholarships to incredible Latina leaders and will continue to create opportunities so Girls Can Be What They Can See.