The Acevedo Foundation empowers the next generation of Latino leaders by creating equitable access to capital, closing the educational gap, and promoting economic mobility and inclusion.
Conrado Acevedo Cardenas
Founder of Acevedo Foundation
The vision of the Acevedo Foundation originated 30 years ago in Mexico with Conrado Acevedo Cárdenas, who founded the organization.
The first in his family to go to college, Acevedo Cárdenas became an attorney, historian, social activist and later a philanthropist dedicated to helping struggling families in Baja California. Building on the philanthropic legacy of her father, and inspired to empower Latino communities in the US, Beatriz Acevedo launched US operations of the Acevedo Foundation in 2018, in Los Angeles, California. A cultural strategist, entrepreneur, and awarded media executive, Beatriz embodies the Acevedo family’s passion for creating access to opportunity for her community.
Today, the Acevedo Foundation’s mission is to elevate, educate and empower the next generation of Latino leaders. To accomplish that, the foundation supports three pathways: closing the educational gap, creating equitable access to capital, and promoting economic mobility and inclusion. The Foundation partners with influential non-profits, community partners and civic leaders to develop initiatives that have proven instrumental in advancing Latino recognition.
Partnerships include the PledgeLA Fund for South LA Founders, which offers non-dilutive capital and mentorship to startup founders. PledgeLA is committed to increasing access to jobs and capital for underrepresented communities. The Acevedo Foundation is a partner and fiscal sponsor for LTX which has become the largest digital marketplace of Latino talent in technology, media and advocacy.
In 2021, the Foundation launched SUMA Academy, the first platform to offer Latinos curated financial information and in-depth financial educational resources through content that is culturally relevant, easy-to-understand, and completely free. SUMA understands and engages directly with Latinos so that planning, organizing and investing for the future will become a foundational reality to their daily lives.
Acevedo Foundation Board
Beatriz Acevedo
President and Director
Beatriz Acevedo is a leading voice among Latina entrepreneurs in the United States. She has dedicated her career to creating authentic and positive depictions of Latinos in society. She is the CEO of SUMA Wealth, a FinTech company focused on helping Latinos build wealth and economic power. Additionally, she is Co-Founder of LA Collab, a collective impact group created to open doors for Latino creatives in Hollywood, committed to doubling the number of Hispanics in the industry by 2030. Beatriz is on numerous public and private boards and is a sought-after keynote speaker.
Susi Collins
Director
Susi Collins is a Senior Director in the Office of Equality at Salesforce, where she leads the development and implementation of racial equity programs and employee resource group strategies in support of historically underrepresented communities and those with intersectional identities. Before joining Salesforce, Susi held roles in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with Amazon Web Services, Nordstrom, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She serves as a board member with the University of San Francisco’s Women in Leadership & Philanthropy initiative and the Acevedo Foundation.
Dr. Linda Lopez
Treasurer and Director
Dr. Linda Lopez has more than 20 years of experience in senior level positions across sectors. She is the founder of Impact Strategies, a strategic consulting firm advising governments and philanthropy on their social and economic impact investments. She served as the head of the Office of Immigrant Affairs for Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti, has experience as an Associate Dean at the University of Southern California, and served on the board of directors of the Social Impact Fund, and more. Dr. Lopez joined the board of Acevedo Foundation in 2022.
Michael de la Rocha
Secretary and Director
Mike de la Rocha is a strategist, musician, and change makers. As Founder of Revolve Impact (an award-winning social action company), he has co-orchestrated several of the largest policy victories and cultural shifts of the last 30 years. In addition to serving on the Acevedo Foundation Board, he also serves as Director of Strategic Partnerships for Californians for Safety and Justice, Legislative Deputy for (future Congressman) Tony Cárdenas, and Policy Advisor for the L.A. Human Relations Commission
Program Partners
The Annenberg Foundation is a family foundation that provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations in the United States and globally. The Foundation and its Board of Directors are also directly involved in the community through innovative projects that advance public well-being, spark new ideas, and spread knowledge. Annenberg Foundation supports the work of PledgeLA, alongside the Acevedo Foundation and the City of Los Angeles.
Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. This includes deep commitments to economic empowerment of the communities they serve, including their grant to the Acevedo Foundation to launch and support the SUMA Academy which helps Latinos overcome financial challenges to achieve prosperity as individuals, families, and communities.
The Acevedo Foundation is a charitable not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Tax Code.
The Acevedo Foundation is committed to empowering the next generation of Latino leaders. We do so by funding and facilitating programs that close the educational gap, create equitable access to capital, and promote economic mobility and inclusion for our community. Our three-person Board of Directors includes founder Conrado Acevedo Cardenas’ daughter and current foundation President Beatriz Acevedo, Treasurer and Director Axel W. Caballero, and Secretary and Director Michael de la Rocha.
Federal Employer Identification Number
84-2377170
Acevedo Foundation 990-EZ Form
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