Ileana Ovalle

Ileana’s career focuses on the successful impact between technology, policy, nonprofits, philanthropy and government. She has led social impact initiatives in tech at Google reaching net zero and supplier diversity goals as the Global Lead for Strategy & Operations in Procurement Responsibility; partnered with international health ministers to promote, launch and adopt Google | Apple | UCSD COVID-19 Global Exposure Notifications app; and worked with regulators to improve Google’s products by partnering to provide transparency for Google’s Content Trust & Safety team. Passionate about providing pervasive internet access and educational opportunity for all, Ileana secured government partnerships, developed internet policy for Google Fiber and served as the state director of government and regulatory affairs for Cox Communications CA leading government, community, public affairs, communications and national escalations teams. Prior to her tech career, Ileana held careers in foundation grantmaking at Catalyst, in community development as a long range land use planner for the City of Encinitas and as a community librarian in San Diego.

In 2023, Ileana was appointed by the California State Senate to serve on The California Organized Investment Network (COIN), which partners with community development organizations to source and structure financially sound investments promoting social and environmental impacts, advising insurers to invest in these investments in underserved California communities. Ileana is Chair of Trustees for the Museum of Us and Community Advisor to the Chancellor of the University of California, San Diego. She has provided volunteer leadership as Chair of the Board and capital campaign member of Ocean Discovery Institute, Board of Governors of The San Diego Foundation, and Advisory Board of the University of San Diego’s Nonprofit Institute. She was an appointed official on both the City of San Diego’s International Affairs Board and San Diego Public Library Commission. She is a graduate of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, LEAD San Diego and was twice named Woman of the Year for California’s 80th Assembly District (2016 and 2017). In 2021, Ovalle received the Ring of Honor Award for MANA’s National Latina Leadership Organization and in 2023 CA Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins recognized Ileana’s outstanding community leadership by naming her a 2023 Woman of CA Senate District 39.

Ileana is a first-generation American, the eldest daughter to Ileana Sr., an immigrant from Guatemala, and a Puerto Rican father. Ileana earned her M.A. in Nonprofit Leadership & Management from the University of San Diego, B.A. in Public Administration & Urban Planning from San Diego State University, a Fundraising & Development certificate from UC San Diego Extension. Ileana was born and raised in San Diego and  annually seeks out world travel to experience culture, local artisans, food, people, adventure and UNESCO World Heritage sites.