Lisa Cuestas

San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center (PIC) Board Member and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee Lisa Cuestas has worked for Casa Familiar, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in San Ysidro, for nearly 17 years, and has worked in the nonprofit sector for almost 20 years.

Her service work began as a volunteer in her hometown of Tucson, Arizona at a transitional home for abused and neglected children in 1998. Lisa moved to San Ysidro, California at the age of 19 and started as a volunteer at Casa Familiar, which led to her opportunity to coordinate and develop activities and projects for youth. Her career has grown and come full circle at Casa Familiar now serving as CEO, where she works to improve the quality of life for San Ysidro and South Bay residents.  

Cuestas also serves on the 1st Captains Community Advisory Board for the Police Departments Southern Division as a representative of the community and Casa Familiar. In the 2014 elections cycle, Cuestas launched her first campaign seeking a seat on the South Bay Irrigation District Board. Cuestas expanded her network and solidified her credibility in the South Bay area, gaining endorsements from Congressman Juan Vargas, Senator Ben Hueso, former Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas, and residents. While the final election results did not mean a win for Cuestas, she was successful in gaining 40% of the vote in her district and in her first campaign.   

Cuestas has a passion for volunteerism and believes in civic engagement and leadership. Casa Familiar's vision is to organize and empower residents in San Ysidro and South San Diego to take an active role in their communities by engaging them civically to build sustainability and enhance quality of life issues affecting our region.

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