Xavier Vargas, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Communications (he/him/él)

My background: I am proudly raised in Los Angeles and first-generation in many ways, driven by a deep commitment to helping build a stronger, more equitable Los Angeles for all. With 14 years of experience, I’ve led strategy, communications, and change management initiatives across the public, corporate, startup, and nonprofit sectors. My work has included leading hundreds of staff to scale critical initiatives for the NYC government during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, helping the largest school system in the U.S. safely return to in-person instruction. I hold an M.B.A. from MIT Sloan School of Management with a concentration in business analytics and a B.A. in History from USC with a focus on Latin American history.

What I do: At The LA Local, I am responsible for developing the strategic corporate partnerships and communications that fuel our long-term sustainability and community impact. I focus on building relationships with organizations that expand our reach, and securing the resources needed to power our mission.

Why LA: Because I believe in the power of its joy and resilience. And I want to help build a more equitable LA. Its the place where my family, coming undocumented from Mexico and Colombia, found the hope and opportunity to build something new and better. Of course, tacos de trips, ceviche, the Lakers & Dodgers, cultures and pride all make LA pretty special too.

The best way to contact me: My email is xavier@thelalocal.org.