CRISTINA PADILLA

Dr. Cristina Padilla is a leadership development executive, executive coach, educator and facilitator with more than a decade of experience helping leaders and organizations strengthen leadership capability, navigate change and build more effective organizations. Cristina has designed and led leadership initiatives across the corporate, nonprofit, government and higher education sectors, and has held leadership roles with Fluence, The Nebo Company, ExecOnline and San Diego State University's Academy for Professional Excellence. She is a faculty facilitator with the Center for Creative Leadership and an Associate Professor at National University, where she teaches graduate leadership courses.

Cristina has more than a decade of community leadership and nonprofit service. She serves as Co-Chair of the MANA de San Diego Leadership Programs Steering Committee, helping shape and deliver leadership development programs for Latinas across the region, and previously served on the Board of Directors of MHP Salud, a national nonprofit dedicated to strengthening underserved communities through community health worker programs. She has also volunteered as a coach with the University of San Diego's Catalyst Coaching Program, supporting first-generation graduate students in their professional and leadership development.

Cristina earned a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego, where her research focused on Latina leader identity development. She holds an M.A. in Politics, Economics and Business from Claremont Graduate University and a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Latin American Studies from California State University, Fullerton. She also holds a Leadership Coaching Certificate from the University of San Diego and is an International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach (PCC).

Cristina is a proud San Diegan and mom of two teenagers. A true extrovert, she loves traveling, reading, trying new restaurants and spending time with family and friends, and she is endlessly curious about new places, new things and new people.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristinaapadilla/