Together we can.

Dr. Bustillos’s professional career has been equally impressive. During the past 15 years, she has developed a national reputation as a talented and prolific researcher, as well as a determined public policy and education advocate who is committed to improving educational access and opportunities for underrepresented youth. Dr. Bustillos earned this reputation over time by serving in positions of increasing responsibility at the following organizations:

· The Los Angeles County Education Foundation

· The National Council of La Raza

· The Campaign for College Opportunity

· American Association of University Women

Dr. Bustillos currently works as Senior Program Officer for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation where she serves as the subject matter expert who supports the foundation’s goals of achieving increased equity in college admission, retention, and outcomes for Black, Latino, and Indigenous students.

Although Dr. Bustillos began her career in Southern California, she was recruited by the National Council of La Raza to move to Washington, D.C. in 2012 to serve as their Associate Director of Education Policy. Dr. Bustillos has lived and worked in Washington ever since, but she has never forgotten the Bell Gardens community where she grew up, and she has never wavered from her commitment to advocate for underserved youth.