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Christine Castillo is the current Senior Director of National Programs at Defy Ventures. Christine has over 10 years of experience in the education and nonprofit sector. Christine started their career as an AmeriCorps member with City Year Los Angeles, where they served as a tutor and mentor for students in under-resourced schools. Christine later became the Learning and Development Director for City Year, where they oversaw the professional development of all staff members.

In 2020, Christine joined Equitas Academy Charter Schools as their Director of Learning and Development. In this role, they were responsible for creating, leading, and executing a cohesive vision for leadership development and the professional development of staff members. Christine also oversaw the implementation of diversity goals across all departments and developed a comprehensive strategy for ensuring that a diversity and equity lens was applied across all development.

Under Christine's leadership, the staff at Equitas Academy saw significant growth in their skills and mindsets, retention and engagement, and organizational health. In recognition of their work, Christine was promoted to Senior Director of National Programs at Defy Ventures in 2021. In this role, they oversee the development and implementation of programs that provide opportunities for people with criminal histories to start their own businesses.

Christine Castillo has a certificate in diversity and inclusion for HR from Cornell University. Christine also has a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Christine is also certified from IDEO U in insights for innovation.

Some of their coworkers include Gilian Villatoro - Senior Manager, Data & Systems, Julie Jackson-Forsberg - VP, Learning, and Quan Huynh - Executive Director, Southern California. Christine Castillo reports to Andrew Glazier, President & CEO.