CELINA ALVAREZ, Executive Director

Celina Alvarez, a 2026 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award Recipient, has been part of Housing Works since 2008 where she was mentored by Mollie Lowery, the pioneer of permanent supportive housing in Los Angeles County. Celina has served as HW’s Executive Director since July 2015. Under her leadership, the organization has increased its staff by 235%, increased the number of people it serves by 360%. She was recently appointed Vice-Chair of the Los Angeles County Best Practices Standardization of Care Committee, as well as serving on the Hilton Foundation Leadership Table. Celina worked with Santa Monica College to collaborate on the development of California’s first-ever college certification program for frontline workers looking to enter the homeless services workforce.