Dr. Angelica Cortez is the Founder and CEO of LEAD Filipino, a national nonprofit organization established in San José to build civic, cultural and community-based power for Filipino and Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Under her leadership, LEAD Filipino has spearheaded historic initiatives, including the first Filipino cancer study conducted with Stanford Health Care, the naming of the first park in San José in honor of Filipino farmworkers, and the first Filipino Advocacy Day at the California State Capitol. In 2024, she led the organization’s strategic growth into Nevada and Texas, championing civic education programs and coalition building efforts.

She brings nearly two decades of experience across government, public policy and advocacy, where she held senior executive roles with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and Pacific Clinics, overseeing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives. Her volunteerism has included service on local and national boards, including Sacred Heart Community Service, the AAPI Oral History Project, and the Filipino American National Historical Society, where she serves as the VP of Accountability & Compliance. Her contributions have been recognized by local news media, the Golden State Warriors, and Stanford Health Care.

Dr. Cortez holds her BA in Political Science from San José State University, Master of Public Administration from the University of San Francisco, and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Southern California, where her field research focused on scaling small organizations.