President and Chief Executive Officer, City Heights Community Development Corporation

Raised in City Heights, Villanueva is a longtime community leader dedicated to building a sustainable and equitable neighborhood through community pride, job training, and economic development. She is known for creating strong relationships with partners and community members and has a proven track record with CHCDC, joining as Senior Program Manager of Economic Development in 2020 and becoming President/CEO in 2023.

With over 12 years of workforce and business development experience, Villanueva previously worked for the San Diego Workforce Partnership and began her career advocating for families and children in the foster care system through roles with Mi Casa Group Homes, the County of San Diego, and Social Advocates for Youth.

She serves on several boards, including Promises2Kids, Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, and Viet Vote. Villanueva holds a B.A. in Social Work and Chicano/a Studies from San Diego State University and an M.S. in Organizational Leadership from National University.