City Heights CDC's CEO Alexis Villanueva Named As A Finalist for San Diego Business Journal 2024 CEO of the Year Award

CEO Alexis Villanueva joined the organization in 2019 as a Senior Program Manager on the Economic Development team. In December 2022, she was named Interim Executive Director, transitioning into CEO/President of the organization in June 2023.

Congratulations to our CEO, Alexis Villanueva, for her nomination as a finalist for the San Diego Business Journal’s 2024 CEO of the Year. Since joining the organization in 2019, Alexis has dedicated her efforts to creating a sustainable and equitable neighborhood by fostering community pride, job training, and economic development. She made history at CHCDC by becoming the first woman of color to lead the organization in its 43-year history. Under her leadership, the organization broke ground on a four-parcel, $98M affordable housing project; became the new Business Improvement District Advisory Board for the University Ave corridor in City Heights; released its Development without Displacement Report, designed collaboratively with the community to help inform housing policy that preserves housing for low-income communities; and led organizational flood relief efforts.

“I get the honor of serving the community, and that is a gift,” says Villanueva, “City Heights has many leaders, but to be a leader from City Heights, and be able to show all the other young leaders they can do anything and make a difference makes me extremely happy.”

Her career has been in community service, primarily through San Diego nonprofits, service providers, and county government. We couldn’t be more thrilled for her recognition as one of this year’s finalists for the San Diego Business Journal CEO of the Year Award for her efforts in the City Heights community.