Ms. Rivera is a veteran nonprofit executive, educator, and community activist & organizer

For more than 25 years she has provided strategic and operational leadership across several communities and organizations including advocacy and organizing institutions.

In 2008, she opened a consulting firm named Xecutiva to provide executive level consulting and services to organizations and professionals.

Her involvement in community issues, working to engage others in the political process, and political advising has remained consistent over the years. Her efforts include founding The Lula Project, a Latina Research and Leadership Institute; Campaign Manager for Judge Phil Chavez, who was an unknown candidate in an upset election and the first Latino in that position; and establishing the Latino Elected Officials group.

Among her educational and training achievements, she holds a certificate in Organizing and a certificate in Bible Studies; graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Community Education; has a Master’s degree in Administrative Leadership where she was on fellows; and has entered the final stages of her Ph. D. in Urban Education, with a minor in higher education, and a certificate in Teaching and Learning (focused on online learning) where she also has been a continuous fellow. Her dissertation research is focused on Latina leadership. She is a recognized beginning scholar including having her work published, presented, and awarded.

At SOC she is working to complete their program model by adding economic development to their existing grassroots organizing and leadership development components.