CEO, Impact Strategies
Dr. Linda Lopez is a senior executive with a distinguished career spanning higher education, government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector. She is the Founder and CEO of Impact Strategies, Inc., a consulting firm advising municipalities, foundations, startups, and nonprofits on strategy development, investment planning, and organizational growth.
Dr. Lopez has significant board experience with a focus on governance, finance and audit oversight. She previously served as Board President of Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center, a $200 million nonprofit supporting children and adults with disabilities. She also served on the board of directors of the Social Impact Fund, as a member of the Finance and Nominating Committees. She is an Advisory Board Member of the 22 Fund, an impact investment firm focused on climate-forward and export-ready companies.
Dr. Lopez served as a senior advisor to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, where she led the creation of cross-sector partnerships to advance equity and opportunity. Notably, she spearheaded the launch of the LA Justice Fund—a $10 million public-private initiative to expand legal services for underserved communities—which became a national model replicated in other cities.
Her federal service includes senior executive leadership at the National Science Foundation, where she managed a $40 million portfolio focused on expanding STEM education, advancing research for women in science, and commercialization of technology. In academia, Dr. Lopez was the inaugural Associate Dean for Diversity and Strategic Initiatives at USC’s Dornsife College and previously served as a professor of political science and policy at both the University of Southern California and Chapman University.
Dr. Lopez has advised foundations on high-impact strategies and grantmaking. During COVID-19, she led the design and execution of a $36 million national deployment strategy to support emergency relief funds in 26 cities, benefiting essential workers, families, and children. She continues to advise CEOs and leadership teams on strategic planning, organizational design, and sector-wide innovation. In addition to her civic and philanthropic roles, has provided strategic guidance to tech and infrastructure startups, including Quantum Corridor, Inc. as the Chief Strategy Officer.
She resides in Los Angeles.