Araceli Centeno

Araceli is tasked with the success of the Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program- a passthrough grant from the Environmental Protection Agency that will provide subgrants to community-based nonprofits and other eligible organizations.

Araceli was born in Ventura, CA, to farm working parents and grew up in Oxnard’s Colonia neighborhood. She attended San Francisco State University where she double majored in International Relations and Raza Studies. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for social justice and organizing. After receiving a B.A., she worked as a community organizer conducting direct actions, tackling issues such as environmental justice, workers’ rights, and gentrification in Ventura County and the Bay Area. Araceli has trained and mentored aspiring organizers in topics such as campaign building, grassroots fundraising, direct actions, community building, and other organizing tactics.

In 2016, Araceli graduated with a Master in Public Health from the Keck School of Medicine at USC. Since then, she has worked in NIH funded research of chronic diseases in agricultural workers, as a mental health advocate, and youth-led health equity initiatives. More recently, she worked for the McCune Foundation based in Ventura, California. As the Foundation’s first program officer, she secured funding, provided technical assistance, and capacity building to community organizing projects in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. She currently sits on the board of two nonprofit organizations—Future Leaders of America and CFROG (Climate First: Replacing Oil & Gas).

Araceli enjoys roller skating, gardening, arts and crafts, and peaceful walks along the beach with her dog and human family. She also values her alone time by watching documentaries (the occasional mocumentary included) and starting crocheting projects (albeit, not always completing them).