Executive advisory
Thought partnership on organizational direction, team development, and leading through change.
Nonprofit leadership · Advancement · Community
Lead with purpose.
Build lasting impact.
Advisory and strategic support for nonprofit leaders seeking to strengthen relationships, grow resources, and create communities where more people can thrive.
Areas of focus
Strategy grounded in people and purpose.
Yajaira brings experience across education and nonprofit organizations to the relationships and decisions that sustain a mission.
Fundraising & philanthropy
Philanthropic strategy, donor relationships, stewardship, and sustainable development practices.
Community building
Partnerships and engagement that connect institutions with the people and communities they serve.
Strategic communications
Clear narratives and stakeholder engagement that bring people together around shared goals.
Inclusive practice
Leadership approaches that support access, belonging, equity, and meaningful participation.
Organizational stewardship
Practical alignment of resources, relationships, and mission for lasting impact.
Meet Yajaira
Experience shaped by service.
Yajaira De La Paz is a nonprofit advancement leader with more than 25 years of experience across education and mission-driven organizations. Her work spans development strategy, major gifts, corporate partnerships, community engagement, and team leadership.
Her experience includes Girl Scouts of Orange County, SHPE, and Pasadena City College, where she has helped connect people, partnerships, and resources to expand opportunity. She currently serves on the board of Latina Professionals, continuing her commitment to mentorship, community engagement, and inclusive leadership.
M.A., Sociology, Mount Saint Mary's University · B.A., Human Development, Pacific Oaks College
How she works
Listen closely. Connect people. Move the mission forward.
Cura personalis: care for the whole person.
Yajaira’s philosophy is rooted in cura personalis—care for the whole person. She recognizes that every person brings a unique story, strengths, needs, and aspirations to a community. That understanding shapes how she builds relationships, invites participation, and develops strategy.
In community building, she creates connections grounded in trust, dignity, and belonging. In engagement, she listens closely and makes room for different voices to shape shared priorities. In strategy, she connects organizational goals with the lived experiences of the people they serve, helping leaders advance their mission with empathy, equity, and lasting stewardship.
01
Understand
Begin with the people, priorities, and realities that shape an organization.
02
Align
Bring leaders, partners, and resources together around a shared direction.
03
Advance
Turn relationships and strategy into thoughtful, sustainable action.
Connect
Let's talk about the mission you're building.
For advisory inquiries, partnerships, or speaking opportunities, send Yajaira a note.
Connect with me on LinkedIn