Isela Gracian is been President of East LA Community Corporation (ELACC), a social and economic justice community development organization on LA’s Eastside. Gracian began with ELACC in 2004 as coordinator for a job training program and has held various progressive positions, including Community Organizing Director and Vice President of Operations. Gracian credits immigrant parents for inculcating strong roots and links to their cultural traditions. Gracian attended UC Davis where she received her BA and has over a decade working to advance development accountable to marginalized residents. The California Women's Foundation recognized Gracian for her thought-leading work formulating solutions to community issues by appointing her a California Women's Policy Institute Fellow in 2006/2007. She serves on various boards, including Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Political Education (SCOPE) and the California Reinvestment Coalition. She is also a National Advisory Board member to the Strong, Prosperous, and Resilient Communities Challenge (SPARCC).