As Senior Director of External Affairs, Rosa oversees aspects of the organization’s operations, board stewardship, and strategic organizational projects. Previously, Rosa held various positions in the tech sector at BigTent (founded by Coro alums), Federated Media Publishing, and GreatSchools (founded by a Coro alum). She currently serves on a fundraising committee for the Unity Council, a community development nonprofit based in the Fruitvale district of Oakland, the neighborhood where she grew up. Rosa is an alumna of the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs, and previously served on the Boards of Directors for both Coro Northern California and YR Media (formerly known as Youth Radio). 

Rosa holds a B.A. from University of California, Berkeley and earned her M.A. from the Wright Institute.

What inspires you to work in leadership development?

I believe that if we can support diverse voices at the table — and also expand our concept of the table — we as a society will be able to more effectively and humanely address our challenges. I consider it a privilege to work at an organization that provides leadership support to diverse voices.

What’s your favorite leadership quote? 

“Peace cannot exist without justice, justice cannot exist without fairness, fairness cannot exist without development, development cannot exist without democracy, democracy cannot exist without respect for the identity and worth of cultures and peoples.” — Rigoberta Menchu, Nobel Peace Prize laureate

Where are we most likely to find you when you’re not at work?

Hanging out with my husband and kids, exploring outdoor activities in the Bay Area and especially our hometown of Oakland. You can also find me volunteering at my kiddos’ schools.