Julissa Alvarez-Marin
(She/They)
Central Valley Program Manager

Julissa is spearheading digital inclusion initiatives in the Central Valley (Bakersfield & Fresno) of California. She manages digital skills training programs for adult learners, as well as capacity-building training for local community-based organizations in the region. She believes equipping communities with the digital skills necessary to navigate different institutions is critical to their livelihoods. 

Julissa has over 5 years of experience in community organizing and development, having a robust understanding of what it takes to empower and equip marginalized communities to bring about needed growth, change and opportunities. Additionally, Julissa has over 2 years of experience as a program and project manager, having successfully developed and implemented new service programs. Most recently, she implemented and managed an educational program aimed to support youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities transition from school to adult services. Previously, she developed and managed a nationwide grant to foster LGBTQ+ student equity. She also has extensive experience partnering with school districts, nonprofits and more cross-sector stakeholders to bring about additional resources and services to Central Valley communities. Julissa is driven to close the gap of services and opportunities available for marginalized communities in the digital inclusion space. 

Born and raised in the East Side of San Jose by her single immigrant mother, Julissa went on to get her B.A. in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She now calls Bakersfield her home, where she lives with her partner and two furry babies. In her free time, Julissa enjoys learning cooking, reading, and expressing her creativity through drag and make-up.