Our Board

Celia C.J. Solis joined the Board of Directors in 2020 and currently serves as the Board Chair. She is the Senior Director of Operations and Development for Azul, where she brings extensive expertise in organizational leadership, strategic planning, operations, and sustainability. A senior executive with more than 20 years of experience, Celia’s professional background spans corporate and nonprofit administration, human resources, organizational and community development, information technology, and marketing.

The daughter of immigrants — and an immigrant herself — Celia emigrated from the Philippines and was raised in a civic-minded family deeply committed to service, culture, and community. Her father, a Retired United States Navy veteran, instilled in her a strong work ethic and dedication to service. Her mother, originally a Doctor of Dentistry in the Philippines who later became a nurse in the United States, nurtured Celia’s appreciation for music and the arts. Her brother dedicated his career to public service and retired as Assistant Chief of the San Diego Police Department.

Celia has built a distinguished career developing and implementing strategic initiatives that support organizational sustainability and growth. She previously served as Director of Human Resources and Administration for RioPort, a startup international internet music company in the Bay Area. Upon returning to San Diego, she transitioned into nonprofit leadership roles, where she led strategic development planning, volunteer and internship programs, and information technology services for several environmental organizations.

Her leadership experience also includes serving as Director of Human Resources and Community Outreach for Ephesians Home Care, where she supported Alzheimer’s education and services for seniors and families, and as Director of Operations and Administration for the New Americans Museum, an organization dedicated to honoring, educating, and celebrating the contributions of immigrants.

A dedicated community advocate, Celia continues to volunteer extensively with both nonprofit and community-based organizations. She serves as a Board Member and Committee Chair for the California Communications Access Foundation, advisor for the Pre-K Autism Program at Lyndale Elementary School in San Jose, CA, Commissioner for the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, and member of the Pastoral Council at St. Rose of Lima Parish, where she also volunteers as a liturgical sign-language interpreter. In addition, she advises community-focused organizations including The San Diego Filipino Film Festival, Let’s Talk Seniors and The Greatest Gift Program, which provide Alzheimer’s support and vision care services to underserved communities.

Celia earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology and Audiological Communicative Disorders from San Diego State University and later completed her MBA with a concentration in Management Information Systems. She continues to live in sunny San Diego, where she enjoys the surf, waves, and seashore.