Silissa Uriarte Smith

As a feminist innovator, I have dedicated my professional career to creating a more just and equitable world for our most vulnerable populations. Advocacy, community engagement, and fund development for mission-driven organizations and purpose-centered people have been the focus of my work in the non-profit, political, and public sectors.

 

I bring a strong advocacy mindset and inclusive nature to my work, with solid communication and strategic skills honed through diverse experiences as an executive senior-level staffer, and community-based leader. Working with community members, elected officials, businesses, and community-based organizations has given me a unique perspective and a wide range of relationships, enabling me to work effectively in cross-functional teams.

 

My professional successes are the result of hard work, valuable mentorships, and exceptional education. I hold a B.A. in Political Science from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University. I am also a certified coach through the Academy for Coaching Excellence, an ICF-accredited institution, and hold an ACC credential. My executive leadership training and professional development experiences include MANA A National Latina Organization Avanzamos Fellowship Program and HOPE’s (Hispanas Organized for Political Equality) Leadership Institute.

 

My commitment to social justice is unwavering, and I am dedicated to empowering and uplifting marginalized communities in all of my work. As a leader in my field, I strive to inspire others and make a meaningful impact toward creating a more just and equitable world.

 

I created Purpose Centered Coaching and Consulting (PCCC), a 501c3 non-profit California public benefit corporation as a way toward greater gender equity for women in Long Beach, Los Angeles County, and beyond. PCCC is strongly rooted in gender equity, diversity, inclusion, access, and belonging and seeks to create compassionate coaching spaces with a focus on BIPOC, LGBTQ+, non-binary, low-income, and women with disabilities to provide emotional support and leadership development skill sets. In the next two years as I go through the start-up process with a committed Board of Directors, I look forward to connecting with others who also want to support women through coaching and a gender equity lens. 

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My community roots run deep throughout Southern California, as I was born and raised in Orange County, California. I reside in downtown Long Beach and am active in various community-based organizations. In my free time, you can find me enjoying the outdoors, hiking, practicing yoga, and spending time with friends and family.