Leticia Mendoza

YWCA Watsonville
Executive Director

Leticia Mendoza has been the Executive Director at the YWCA of Watsonville since 2009. But her connection with this organization began in the first quarter of 1979. When she was a student at the local high school and was looking for a place to stay. Leticia found shelter with the YWCA of Watsonville as she transitioned to college to start her freshman year at UCSC. Leticia an immigrant who arrived at the US at the age of 14 with almost no knowledge of the English Language but with a strong commitment to continue her education. She concluded a BA in economics from UCSC, an MPA and MPhil both from Columbia University in New York. 30 years later, Leticia when back to Watsonville where she found that the YWCA that once provided housing for her was looking to hiring an ED. Leticia remembered her connections to the organization and wanted to support the organization during the transition; but decided to stay and serve the agency and the community where she began her journey in the US. Leticias experience as an immigrant who spoke almost no English, an immigrant that had to adjust to a new country understood well the challenges of the migrant community in a small agricultural town. Leticia has worked with various organizations to identify appropriate programing for the children, teens, and families they serve. Leticia brings a strong academic background, work experience and her own experience as an immigrant to build partnerships to provide services to benefit the community they serve.