Clara Ortiz

Clara Ortiz has served as Site Coordinator at CISLA since September 2021. In this role, she helps implement and sustain the CISLA model, fostering both academic and personal growth for students. She has supported donor site visits and in-kind events—such as toy giveaways, clothing drives, and food distributions—partnering directly with funders to offer firsthand exposure to the CISLA model in action.

With over a decade of experience in youth development and student support programs, Clara has organized funded field trips, guided students through scholarship opportunities, and provided support with FAFSA applications and other college readiness resources. She is committed to expanding student access to enrichment opportunities and strengthening community partnerships that open pathways to higher education and personal growth.

Clara holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of California, Santa Cruz—one in English Literature with an emphasis in Modern Studies and another in Political Science with an emphasis in Comparative Politics. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring national parks, hiking coastal and beach trails with her dogs, Obi-Wan (a Goldendoodle) and Camila (a Shih Tzu), and searching for the perfect bowl of shoyu ramen to share with family and friends.