Founder and CEO Shirley Acevedo Buontempo, MPA, of Latino U College Access Inc. (LUCA) in White Plains will transition into a new role within the organization effective July 1. She will be succeeded by LUCA”™s Deputy Executive Director Cosette Gutierrez, MBA, who will assume the role of executive director.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to live my life”™s purpose doing work that makes such an incredible difference in the lives of the students and families we serve,” said Acevedo Buontempo. “I am grateful to our Board of Directors, our partners, volunteers and funders for their support of our vision and mission. Cosette has been an invaluable partner. Her talent, passion and commitment to our work give me great confidence as I pass on the baton of leadership.”
As the founder of LUCA, Acevedo Buontempo has built one of the leading college access and success organizations in Westchester County. In her 10 years leading the organization, what began with only two students from one high school grew to reach more than 6,000 students in four partner school districts. Throughout her tenure, she has led advocacy efforts and spoke in support of initiatives that advanced educational equity for Latinx students.
Acevedo Buontempo will remain an integral part of LUCA”™s future in a full-time role as founder and strategic growth officer.
“We are incredibly grateful for the extraordinary commitment Shirley has given to launch LUCA from a start-up to a well-established organization,” said Steve Moroney, chairman of the Board of Directors. “LUCA has a transformational impact on the lives of both the community and students we serve. We are thrilled Shirley will continue to support our board and Cosette as we launch ambitious goals for the future.”
Cosette Gutierrez”™s unanimous appointment by the board of directors assures a seamless transition for ongoing dedication and commitment to LUCA”™s mission. A dynamic and engaging executive, Gutierrez has had a successful career in nonprofit, retail and financial services. She earned a bachelor”™s degree from the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.
Founded in 2012, Latino U College Access is a social impact organization that transforms lives by making college dreams a reality for low-income, first-generation, Latino youth. It guides students, who have demonstrated academic ability, through individualized coaching and culturally relevant programming as they navigate higher education to successfully enroll in schools that meet their financial and academic needs, enabling them to graduate on time and career-ready. To learn more about LUCA or to make a donation in support of its mission, visit latinou.org.
