Additional nonvoting/advisory member appointed by the Governor

Camila Chavez is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Dolores Huerta Foundation (DHF). After earning her BA in Early Childhood Education from Mills College and a short career in public health, she returned to Kern County to establish the DHF with her mother Dolores Huerta. From the DHF headquarters in Bakersfield, Ms. Chávez oversees the strategic direction of this organization that seeks to empower historically disenfranchised communities with the training and skills to make transformational changes in their communities.

DHF has increased political representation of communities of color through increased voter engagement and redistricting; addressed education inequities; and secured millions of dollars for neighborhood improvements such as sidewalks, gutters, street lights, neighborhood parks, swimming pools and school campus renovations. Vecinos Unidos (Neighbors United) leaders were at the forefront of these campaigns to improve the quality of life in their communities, a model which she helped create. This model of community empowerment has led to many significant victories during her tenure including the establishment of over 12 DHF grassroots community organizations throughout California’s Central Valley and the development of a youth leadership program.

Camila received the Irvine Foundation Leadership Award in 2022. She is the Board Chair of California Calls, President of the Central Valley Partnership, and sits on the boards of Inner City Struggle and Planned Parenthood PAC.