Virdiana Vélez joined the Irvine Foundation in 2022 as a Program Officer. She comes with a robust background in the public sector, developing and implementing programs, policies, and strategies to promote long-term health and sustainability in vulnerable communities.

Prior to joining Irvine, Virdiana served as a Senior Policy Analyst for the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA), where she worked on key policy priorities for LA County, including the economic mobility initiative for women-and BIPOC-owned businesses, the sidewalk vending ordinance, and the County’s guaranteed income pilot program. Virdiana was also responsible for updating the scope of the temporary eviction moratorium and subsequent analysis during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, she supported the implementation of the Department’s various American Rescue Plan-funded projects to promote an equitable COVID-19 recovery across LA County. Through this work, she developed eligibility criteria and facilitated grant distribution to community-based organizations that provide critical services to underrepresented and low-income communities.

Before working for DCBA, Virdiana served as a policy deputy for the Los Angeles County Third Supervisorial District and in various community outreach and development roles for non-profit organizations throughout the Los Angeles region.

Virdiana holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University and a Master of Public Policy from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.