Padilla Joins El Concilio as New Chief of Staff

El Concilio California officially announces that Carmen Padilla has been promoted as Chief of Staff, a newly added position within the organization.

“As the daughter of an immigrant and a first-generation college student, I am thankful
for this opportunity to serve our community and provide connections for families to
El Concilio’s many resources as we navigate through the pandemic and beyond,” Padilla
said in her enthusiastic manner. “I am honored to work with Jose Rodriguez, El Concilio’s
President and CEO, and join the leadership team and work alongside as we continue to
uplift and advocate for our community.”

Ms. Padilla has a wealth of experience in administration, management, fundraising, outreach, and marketing. In addition to her professional role at El Concilio, Ms. Padilla continues to be active and engaged in Community initiatives. She has been involved in numerous efforts to support Spanish language communities through many non-profit organizations in the San Joaquin Valley. She is an avid soccer coach in our local community and a former standout University of the Pacific and Mexican National Team player.

Ms. Padilla was born in San Jose, CA, as the second oldest of six children. Her father immigrated from Guadalajara, Mexico and worked in the fields, as a dishwasher and eventually became a maintenance supervisor. Her mother worked as a house cleaner and later became a property manager. Her father only completed the third grade in Mexico and her mother dropped out of high school as they started a family. Her parents emphasized the importance of family, being proud of their Mexican American culture and obtaining an education

During her senior year in high school, Ms. Padilla received scholarship offers from colleges. With little college knowledge and left by herself to navigate the college application and financial aid process, Carmen applied and embarked on her next journey. In 2003, Carmen arrived in Stockton on a soccer scholarship to the University of the Pacific. While participating at Pacific, Carmen finished her four years at Pacific as a four-time All-Big West recipient, a three-time first team member, and a 2006 NSCAA All-American Academic Team honoree. Carmen was the first person in her family to graduate from college, paving the way for her siblings. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 2007. She began her coaching career as an assistant coach at Pacific and later completed her Masters Degree in Sport Science in 2015

Throughout her life, she had many coaches and teachers that believed in her abilities and pushed her, igniting a passion to help inspire future generations to dream big. She is passionate about empowering our youth to have access to higher education and the confidence to pursue their ambitions. Carmen is passionate about making a difference, empowering our diverse communities and providing connections for families to resources as we navigate through the pandemic and beyond.

Ms. Padilla also is an adjunct professor for San Joaquin Delta College and an assistant coach for the women’s soccer team. She coaches local youth soccer teams and is a SUSD parent volunteer and certified substitute teacher.

Ms. Padilla resides in Stockton with her husband, Alejandro, daughters, Alessandra and Victoria, and son Alex Jr.