Esmeralda Vazquez
Executive Director
Esmeralda Vazquez is a lifelong resident of the Inland Region, with humble roots stemming from L.A. Since 2005, Esmeralda has served her community as a social justice, community, education, and labor advocate. She is an Alumni from Crafton Hills College, UC San Diego, and Georgetown University, where she received her Masters in Policy Management. Having previously worked in K-12, Higher Education, and the California State Assembly, Esmeralda is now the Executive Director for the Inland Empire Labor Institute; leading the I.E.’s community-led Regional Investment Initiative known as Thrive Inland SoCal in partnership with California Jobs First, and other union-focused impact programs to empower and sustain our working families. Her goal is to obtain quality jobs and build prosperous communities for all through equitable and inclusive economic development centering disadvantaged communities, as part of California’s transition to a clean energy, carbon neutral economy. Her most important role, however, is as a mama, raising her little girl, alongside her partner.
Fatima Nelson
Workforce Development Program Manager
Fatima Nelson has over two decades of dedicated service and expertise in external engagement and program management. With a career spanning diverse fields from education to community engagement, Fatima has consistently excelled in orchestrating impactful initiatives for underserved communities. Notably, she spearheaded the organization of major community engagement events related to data, research and policy while serving as the Community Engagement Specialist for UCR’s Center for Social Innovation out of the School of Public Policy. She is currently working as the Outreach Coordinator for the Inland Empire Labor Institute. Fatima and her husband made the Inland Empire their home in 2021 along with their three school-aged children.
Kelley Bader
Cooperative Development Program Manager
Kelley Bader is working to build out the support network for Cooperatives in the Inland Empire. Previously, Kelley was board president of the Slow Bloom Coffee Cooperative and helped start the worker-cooperative. Kelley completed his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Riverside & his Master’s Degree at the California State University, San Bernardino. He’s also taught as a professor in various roles at Crafton Hills College, Riverside Community College, & CSUSB.
Daisy Lopez
CA Jobs First Initiative Program Manager
Daisy Lopez is our CA Jobs First Initiative Program Manager in relation to Thrive Inland SoCal and more. Daisy previously served as a Program Coordinator with the UDW Resource Center and a Senior Community Organizer with the Warehouse Worker Resource Center. Daisy completed her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Riverside.
Alicia Aguayo
Senior Marketing & Communications Strategist
Alicia Aguayo is our Senior Marketing and Communications Strategist. Previously, she worked with the People’s Collective for Environmental Justice as a Communications Manager & for a local political campaign as a Communications Director & has grown up in the organizing and community spaces since a young age. Alicia completed her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of California, Irvine.