Azahalia is Program Director for both the Adaptive Technology and Workforce-related programs at the San Diego Futures Foundation (SDFF). She completed her AA in General Studies at the Southwestern College. She pursued her BA in Spanish at San Diego State University and transferred to the University of Southern California where she earned her MA in Teaching. After her time at SWC, she went on to teach preschool to middle school-aged students at the San Ysidro School District where she had several administrative and para-educational duties that spanned from 2006 to 2015. Prior to SDFF, Azahalia worked for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater San Diego as their South Bay ASES Program Coordinator, as well as the College of English Language and the University of San Diego – English Language Academy as an instructor and career pathways student advisor.
As a South Bay native, Azahalia understands that there is an ongoing need for free educational and skill-building resources, and many communities have similar needs. Azahalia hopes to continue advocating for affordable job resources and utilizing her time at SDFF to help build programs that can help underrepresented populations find career pathways.