Alejandra Villa

Managing Associate

Alejandra (Ale) describes herself, first and foremost, as a social worker fascinated by the human experience. As a first-generation college graduate, she proudly holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Washington with a concentration in Administration and Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from San Diego State University.

A formerly undocumented immigrant and a staunch advocate for human rights, she started her career as a direct-service social worker, collaborating with diverse communities across various nonprofit sectors, including human services, healthcare, higher education, and research. Through her experience working directly with underserved communities, she discovered a desire to address macro-level systematic changes, including at the state and federal policy levels. Her efforts toward economic and social justice in policy and democracy include community coalition building, policy analysis, state legislature, and federal congressional experience.

Before joining NPAG, Ale served as the Director of Immigration at the Office of U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). She managed a portfolio that assisted thousands of constituents in navigating their bureaucratic immigration processes while developing and fortifying relationships with stakeholders statewide and participating in policymaking with colleagues in Washington, DC. Ale’s professional and personal experiences have contributed to her passion for mission-based organizations and their organizational development. She admires their capacity to serve communities and repair harm and their ability to encourage and uplift BIPOC leadership and voices to allow inclusivity of the most critical voices in the realm of social and economic justice.

Outside of work, Ale enjoys yoga, the beach, and outdoor adventures. She currently resides in San José, Costa Rica, with her partner, Gabriel, and frequently visits her former home cities, San Diego and Seattle.