Belen leads an entrepreneurial team at Harbor Freight Tools for Schools that aims to advance excellent skilled trades education in Los Angeles public high schools. Belen joins the team after serving almost 20 years at the Weingart Foundation, where she assumed the role of Senior Vice President. Most recently, Belen was an Associate Vice President at Cal State LA, her alma mater, where she led community partnerships and government relations in the President’s Office.
Throughout her career, which began in the Los Angeles nonprofit sector, Belen has been guided by her commitment to advancing racial, social, and economic justice. Belen serves on the Boards of New Village Girls Academy, InnerCity Struggle and the Liberty Hill Foundation. A first-generation college student, she holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from Cal State LA and a J.D. from USC Gould School of Law.
Belen’s happy place is spending time with her family on weekend hikes, watching the Dodgers and planning trips with family and friends.