Ileana Lopez | Vice President of External Relations

As V.P. of External Relations, Ileana Lopez leads national initiatives that build and execute brand, strengthen marketing and communications, foster strategic partnerships, and expand relationships with policy makers, education leaders, partners and stakeholders. Ileana leads a department comprised of policy and partnership, communications, community engagement, and fund development to achieve PIQE’s strategic plan objectives and continue building upon PIQE’s mission of social justice and educational equity.

Prior to joining PIQE, Ileana served as Director of External Affairs at Crystal Stairs, Inc. She lead their communications, public policy, and fund development efforts. With over twenty years of nonprofit, corporate, and government communications and public relations expertise, she has a richly diverse background and expertise in making public information campaigns accessible to communities of color. Ileana’s skill-set includes leadership and team/culture building, complex communications strategies, and community outreach.

Ileana also has experience serving as Director of External Affairs for a local non-profit in the Los Angeles region. Before that she worked in the corporate and government sectors managing government relations, advocacy, branding, marketing communications, and large events. In the early half of her career, she worked for the California State Legislature on behalf of Assembly member Tom Umberg, who represented the most diverse district in Orange County at the time. Ileana liaised with education, business, healthcare, and Latino leaders as well as worked directly with constituent requests at the municipal, county, state, and federal levels.

Ileana resides in Pasadena and enjoys time spent caring for family. She is an avid reader and music lover. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Policy from the University of California, Irvine and later received another degree in Interior Design.