Welcoming Shelsy Zárate Chávez as Program Coordinator at Minds Matter SoCal

A Full Circle Journey Expanding Minds Matter SoCal’s Impact

Minds Matter Southern California is growing—and we’re thrilled to announce that Shelsy Zárate Chávez has joined our team as Program Coordinator!

This new role reflects our expansion as we continue to serve more students, engage more volunteers, and strengthen alumni programming. With Shelsy joining our programming team, we’re building capacity to deepen our impact and ensure that every Saturday session and alumni initiative is supported with care and vision.

Shelsy’s journey is a full-circle story. A proud Minds Matter alumna, she first experienced the transformative power of our community as a student. Over the past decade, she has carried forward the lesson that collectiveness and kindness are the strongest assets of any community.

Now, Shelsy returns to help strengthen programming for the next generation of students and volunteers, bringing lived experience and wisdom back to the place where it all began.

Her academic path reflects her commitment to equity and youth empowerment. Shelsy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology & Society and Latin American Studies from Pomona College and later completed her Master of Public Health at USC, with a concentration in Community Health Promotion.

As a first-generation student from South Central LA, Shelsy knows firsthand the challenges and opportunities that shape our mission—and she’s ready to expand what’s possible for our community.

We are excited for the energy, vision, and care Shelsy brings to Minds Matter SoCal. Her role marks a new chapter in our expansion—one that ensures our students, volunteers, and alumni are supported by someone who knows the heartbeat of our mission.

Please join us in welcoming Shelsy home to Minds Matter SoCal.