Alicia Nuñez
President & CEO
Chicanos Por La Causa
Alicia Nuñez is Interim President and Chief Executive Officer at Chicanos Por La Causa, one of the nation’s largest Latino nonprofit and community development organizations.
Nuñez was Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President when she was named to the Interim President and CEO by the CPLC Board of Directors in October 2023. She is the first Latina to lead CPLC, which was established in 1969 and has operations in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, California, and Texas. Alicia is a seasoned non-profit executive with a demonstrated history of success in leading organizations to achieve financial sustainability and programmatic excellence. With over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector, Alicia has a proven track record of developing and implementing strategic financial plans, managing complex budgets, and building strong relationships with donors, funders, stakeholders and community leaders. Ms. Nunez has raised over $100 million in capital from corporate and foundation partners over her 15-year career. In addition, she has raised $3 million in capital through federal grants. Ms. Nunez previously served as CPLC’s Chief Financial Officer, where she oversaw the organization’s Finance, Accounting and Fiscal Audit functions for the organization’s not-for-profit programs and for-profit subsidiaries including 24 multifamily properties, 18 commercial buildings, a construction company, a realty company, charter schools, employment agency, property management and small business lending, a combined total assets of $367 million.
Nuñez joined CPLC in 2006 and has served in several roles including: Vice President of Business Enterprises, where she managed several for-profit entities within the organization; Vice President of Accounting, overseeing accounting and finance departments; Director of Business Enterprises; and President of CPLC Insurance, Inc. In her role of President of Insurance she developed the infrastructure, process, and business model for the successful inaugural launch of the program. In addition to her financial expertise, Alicia is also a skilled leader and communicator. She is known for her ability to motivate and inspire teams, and she has a deep understanding of the importance of collaboration in achieving common goals.
Nuñez has more than 30 years of financial and operational management experience in both for-profit and non-profit businesses, including as Assistant Director of Finance for The Ritz Carlton, Huntington Hotel and Spa in Pasadena, California.
In 2022, Nuñez was selected as one of 12 nonprofit leaders from Maricopa County for the prestigious Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust’s 2022 Class of Piper Fellows.
Nuñez is an executive board member of Sí Se Vota CPLC Action Fund, a 501C4 advocacy nonprofit organization that oversaw the award-winning Latino Loud voter engagement and education efforts. Alicia is committed to using their financial expertise and leadership skills to make a positive impact on the world. She is passionate about helping non-profit organizations achieve their missions and make a real difference in the lives of others. In addition to her efforts on the Action Fund Board, Alicia is an active Board Member of Sun Corridor since November of 2023, BMO’s National Community Advisory Council since November of 2023, and Valleywise Health Foundation a nonprofit partner supporting Valleywise Health. She has been a Valleywise board member since 2019 and supports their efforts in providing healthcare to all residents.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in English Credential Program at California State University Northridge and received her Executive MBA from The University of Arizona in 2017. She recently completed and received her Certificate through the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Program for Growing Companies 2023.
Nuñez grew up in Los Angeles in the Lincoln Heights area. Her parents were immigrants from Sinaloa, Mexico.