As a Director at Luminate, Kristel works at the global level and with programmatic teams to identify funding opportunities and support funding execution and portfolio management. With over 15 years of experience in the non-profit, media, and philanthropy sectors, Kristel works at the intersection of media, policy, advocacy, and entertainment to challenge harmful narratives and seed news ones that advance social issues.

Before joining Luminate, she was Deputy Vice President for Communications and Marketing at UnidosUS (formerly National Council of La Raza). As a member of UnidosUS’s leadership team, Kristel worked across departments to advance the organisation’s mission, priorities, and initiatives through strategic communications.

Prior to this, Kristel was Vice President for Communications and Marketing at the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA). Kristel oversaw media relations, digital strategy, and multimedia projects, and led WOLA to develop key relationships with the media, celebrities, and artists on innovative advocacy and storytelling projects. Currently, she serves as a board member at WOLA.