Announcing Our New Interim Executive Director: Olimpia Vázquez Ojeda
We’re excited to share with our community that Olimpia Vázquez Ojeda will be our new Interim Executive Director!
Born and raised in Tijuana, Baja California, Olimpia brings a bicultural, community-centered perspective to her work that is both intentional and action-oriented. She currently serves as Program Manager at A Reason To Survive (ARTS) in National City, where she has worked for over five years and has become a trusted leader within the organization and the wider community. In this role at ARTS she has helped envision and implement transformative arts experiences that reach more than 3,000 youth in National City and the South Bay each year. Her leadership is grounded in care, creativity, and—most importantly—community.
Olimpia’s professional background spans arts education, youth development, cultural preservation, and community engagement. She has held roles with the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Barrio Logan College Institute, the National Park Service, and INAH in Baja California—experiences that inform her holistic, people-centered approach to leadership. At ARTS, she has played a critical role in co-designing high-quality arts programs and community events that expand access to creative learning opportunities for youth and families in South Bay, particularly those who have been historically excluded from such spaces.
“I’m excited to support the team and the programs they bring to life every day. It is an honor to continue working alongside our community as more young artists, families, educators, and partners connect with one another and experience the magic of ARTS.”
“In a time when many young people are navigating uncertainty, inequity, and change, ARTS remains a place of possibility. We believe in the power and responsibility of creating joyful, welcoming, and safe spaces where young people can be themselves and experience the healing power of creativity.”
We’re confident that with Olimpia as our leader, ARTS will keep thriving as a place for creativity, connection, and new possibilities. As Olimpia says, "ARTS remains a place of possibility. We believe in the importance — and the responsibility — of creating welcoming, joyful, and safe spaces for ourselves and for the young people we serve."
Please join us in welcoming and congratulating Olimpia as our Interim Executive Director! As we celebrate this new chapter, we also want to share that our search for a new permanent Executive Director is underway. Olimpia will be leading ARTS through the spring session, ensuring a smooth transition and continuity for our community and programs.
As we prepare for our Spring 2026 session, watch for updates on our programs, events, and ways to get involved. We will soon share news about our plans for a search for a new permanent Executive Director. Let’s keep building a vibrant, inclusive, and inspiring community together.
