Dalia Velasco currently serves as ABC’s Policy & Advocacy Manager, where she is responsible for advancing ABC’s policy agendas on K-12 education, health, economic prosperity, and local governance reform. In this role, she leads advocacy efforts supporting Latina/os across the county, driving K-12 education policy, promoting health initiatives such as greening schools, and securing resources and support for impactful community projects.

With nearly 10 years dedicated to addressing the critical challenges students face in achieving their educational goals, Dalia works with community members to become effective advocates for their children and champions systemic changes. She also strives to uplift the intersectionality of education, health, and economic prosperity, leveraging coalition-building and community engagement to create lasting, positive change across these interconnected areas.

Dalia brings a robust skill set in organizing, advocacy, coalition-building, and campaign development to her role at ABC. Her background includes empowering Latina, Black, and Indigenous parent leaders to access data and advocate for quality education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led coalition efforts to support LAUSD’s highest-need students, sparking a district-wide campaign for individualized recovery approaches that united parents and teachers. Dalia has also supported over 500 first-generation students in their journeys to college. With a cross-sectoral understanding of community challenges, she leverages lived experiences alongside data to drive positive systemic change for Latina/o communities across Los Angeles. A first-generation college graduate with a Bachelor’s in Global Studies and a minor in Sociology from Azusa Pacific University, Dalia is also an alumna of the Coro Fellowship in Public Policy.

As a Los Angeles native with deep roots in the community, Dalia is dedicated to advancing social, economic, and racial equity for the Latina/o community in the Los Angeles region. Driven by both personal and professional mission, she works to build community power and shape policies that bring justice and lasting, meaningful change to Los Angeles.

In her free time she enjoys going out to eat with friends and family as well as exploring the many parks and hiking trails in the LA area.