Wilma A. Franco, Ed.D.

Dr. Wilma Franco serves as Executive Director of the Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) Collaborative, where she leads regional, cross-sector efforts focused on strengthening communities, advancing civic engagement, and building nonprofit capacity across Southeast Los Angeles. She brings nearly 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, community development, public policy, and collaborative initiatives.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Franco led and coordinated vaccine distribution efforts across the SELA region in partnership with FEMA and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), working to expand equitable access to vaccines for communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

Dr. Franco’s public and civic service includes serving as a Commissioner on the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Redistricting Commission. She currently serves on the Steering Committee for the Neighborhood Data for Social Change at the University of Southern California (USC) and as an Advisory Member for the Pacific Southwest Region University Transportation Center (Region 9 UTC).

Dr. Franco holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne, a Master’s degree in Public Policy from USC, and bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Chicana/o Studies, with a minor in Public Policy, from UCLA. She has also served as a lecturer in the Human Development Department at California State University, Long Beach.

Beyond her professional and civic service, Dr. Franco is the proud mother of two sons, a role that deeply informs her commitment to community and future generations. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to strengthening public trust, community voice, transparency, and accountable leadership.