Karla Rivas
Head of People
Karla Rivas, Head of People at the Community Economic Defense Project, was born in El Salvador and is a Gates Millennium Scholar graduate from Texas State University, currently pursuing her MBA at Colorado State University and serving as the co-chapter lead of Latinas in Tech. At CEDP, she takes charge of building and implementing a comprehensive vision for the organization’s people, encompassing internal culture, training & development, Human Resources, Equity, Inclusion, and Diversion efforts, while also serving as a trusted advisor, collaborating with executives, and championing diversity initiatives to empower the team to exceed objectives.
With a strong passion for the nonprofit sector, Karla’s earlier career focused on programs supporting individuals facing social-economic barriers and limited abilities, and she brings a wealth of experience, including her time in HR with the United States Army and expertise in recruiting gained from working with startups and nonprofits; during her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and cherishing moments with her pug, Albert Einstein.