Graciela Barrett (she/her) joins Girls Leadership as the Director of Institutional Giving, bringing over seven years of experience in nonprofit development and youth empowerment. Her career reflects a steadfast commitment to securing resources that enable young people to recognize their potential and step into leadership roles.
Graciela began her journey in youth development as a program staff member at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, where she worked directly with youth to foster their growth and leadership skills. This hands-on experience sparked her curiosity about enhancing program quality, leading her to explore funding avenues to support and improve these initiatives. This drive propelled her transition into nonprofit development within the same organization, where she focused on securing grants from public (federal, state, and local) and private institutions to enrich youth programs.
She later served as the National Institutional Partnerships Manager at Summer Search, where she managed funding pipelines and cultivated relationships with funders to expand access to transformative experiences.
Having lived in four different states, Graciela possesses a deep understanding of the United States’ geographic diversity and is excited to contribute to Girls Leadership’s nationwide mission of empowering girls through social-emotional learning. In her free time, you can find Graciela with a good book or embarking on new adventures with her husband, exploring diverse cultures around the world.
