Christina Villarreal named LIT's first executive director

Latinos In Transit (LIT) has named Christina Villarreal as its first executive director.

"Christina has taken LIT to a whole other level. In a short period of time, she streamlined LIT's membership process, launched a new website and successfully took over planning and implementation of LIT's major activities and events," said Alva Carrasco, president of LIT's Board of Directors. "Christina has become an integral member of our team and I am delighted that with her leadership, LIT will continue to shine."

Villarreal has more than 25 years in the nonprofit sector. She holds a bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, a master's degree in public administration and a master's degree in human services. As an active member of the Association of Consultants to Nonprofits, Villarreal has worked in supporting and advocating for immigrant educational programs, providing valuable resources and assistance to immigrant communities.

She has contributed to city planning commissions and committees, where she played a crucial role in urban development, community revitalization and ensuring equitable and sustainable city planning.

Villarreal has also played a pivotal role in upholding her Latino community's rich cultural and historical legacy by dedicating herself to historic preservation. Through her efforts, she brought to light the often-overlooked historical narrative of her community, making it accessible to a wider audience. Her work provided her the opportunity to be a Diversity Scholar for the National Trust of Historic Preservation.

"I am humbled to be given the opportunity to help push the mission of LIT forward,” Villarreal said. “I am extremely grateful for the board of directors for having the confidence in me to implement the organization's strategic plan and I look forward to working with our organizational members. I am most excited about expanding the programs and services of LIT."

Under her administrative direction, LIT successfully organized the organization's 2023 Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. The summit provided a platform for industry professionals to collaborate, share ideas and inspire positive change within the transit sector. Furthermore, Villarreal played a key role in facilitating the 2023 Leadership Academy program.