Celia Yapita is the People and Operations Director at NMCLP where she leads our Operations team in strengthening people-centered systems and fostering an equitable and collaborative workplace. She began her legal career as an Equal Justice Works Fellow in rural north Florida, focusing on reducing systemic barriers for survivors of domestic violence. Since 2010 she has served in nonprofit leadership roles, including Chief Program Officer at Catholic Charities and Director of DEI at United Way of North Central New Mexico. She is proud to have been part of the coalition that, in 2019, welcomed approximately 5,000 migrant newcomers from South and Central America, providing support as they reunited with family across the United States. Celia is of the Aymara people of Bolivia and was raised by her mother in Florida. In her free time, she volunteers as a mediator with Metro Court and as a hospice volunteer.