Dr. Amalia Luxardo is a committed leader advancing gender and racial equity through strategic advocacy and community empowerment. With a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis & Resolution and a Master’s in International Relations, she brings over two decades of experience in public policy, nonprofit leadership, and social justice.

Before joining WREN, Amalia served as CEO of the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona, where she transformed the organization into a statewide powerhouse — quadrupling its budget, distributing millions in COVID relief, launching the state’s first Women & Girls of Color Fund, and helping pass legislation supporting thousands of single mothers on the path to economic self-sufficiency. She also contributed to critical immigration justice efforts and federal policymaking, including work with the U.S. Department of State during the Obama administration.

Since becoming CEO of WREN, Dr. Luxardo has elevated the organization’s role as a leading force for gender justice in South Carolina. She has mobilized opposition to discriminatory legislation, strengthened WREN’s public voice on reproductive rights and economic equity, and guided strategic growth that has led to important legislative victories and expanded protections for healthcare access.

Her leadership has been recognized with numerous honors, including Arizona’s Top 40 Under 40, Top 20 Women in Arizona, Capital Times Achiever of the Year, and NextGen Leader by Hispanics in Philanthropy. As a frequent speaker and contributor, Dr. Luxardo uses her platform to advocate for women, families, and marginalized communities across the region.