ADL’s Mountain States Region is thrilled to introduce Jordan Alvillar, who joins the team this week as Associate Director of Development.

 

How did you first become involved in ADL? How are you involved now?

Through volunteer work, I was able to connect with the wonderful Dafna Michaelson Jenet, who is an ADL supporter and a member of the Colorado House of Representatives. She was the reason that I decided to participate in the Sturm Fellows Leadership Program (2017) and through this opportunity, I was able to connect with an organization and individuals whom I felt shared my goal to create a platform for change. From there, I participated in the Mentor Program (shout-out to my beloved mentor, ADL Regional Board Chair Melinda Quiat) and I became a co-chair of NextGen 360, ADL’s initiative for young professionals. Additionally, I served as a member of the Regional Board of Directors for 1.5 years until joining the professional staff.

What do you do in your professional life?

The main components of my professional background are strategic communications, project management and stakeholder relations.

Joining the ADL Mountain States team as a full-time staff member is a dream come true for me. The role of Associate Director of Development will allow me to do what I’m passionate about: advocacy work and connecting others to ADL’s mission.

Prior to working at ADL, I had the opportunity to work at multiple marketing and public relations agencies with a sharp focus on traditional advertising and government relations.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Strangely enough, I wanted to be a voice actor.

Where were you born? From where do your ancestors hail?

I was born and grew up in Grand Junction, Colo. where my parents still reside. My ancestors hail from Mexico and England.

What’s your favorite holiday?

Whenever my family can be all together in the same place, regardless of the day, I consider that my favorite holiday.

What’s your favorite food?

Don’t make me choose.

What are you reading?

I’m currently reading So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo. Although I don’t read as often as I would like, I’m constantly listening to podcasts – some of my regular listens include The Daily, How I Built This with Guy Raz, Nonprofits are Messy with Joan Garry, WTF with Marc Maron, and This American Life.  And of course, I listen to a lot of Colorado Public Radio.

What’s a special place you have visited?

My wife and I love to travel. Recently, we’ve traveled to Vietnam and Portugal, which we both loved.

What’s one thing every person should know or experience?

A perspective that’s different from their own.

What teacher or class stands out to you the most in your education and why?

At one point I was an art major – and every art teacher I had really pushed me to find my individuality and my own style, which I really appreciated.

What are you passionate about personally? What can’t you stop talking about?

Podcasts are a huge part of my personal brand. I respect the art of modern-day storytelling very much and it’s my favorite way to learn about any topic.

Where can we find you when you’re not working?

Depends on the time of year – but typically with my wife and our two dogs.

What would be impossible for you to give up?

My dogs.

If you had to teach something, what would you teach?

Sociology of Pop Culture.

Tell me a story that immediately pops into your mind that was a defining or significant moment for you.

At a young age, my father shared with me the hardships he had experienced throughout his childhood. I have spent a significant amount of time thinking about how different his life could have been if someone would have been a champion for him when he needed it most.

Why do you choose to make a financial investment in ADL?

Although I am not Jewish, as a woman who is gay and Latina, I connect to ADL’s mission as a champion of underrepresented communities. I care about ADL’s mission because to me, the organization is intersectional and a defender of people and their civil rights – its work overlaps into the issues, topics and organizations that I care about.

Complete this sentence: For me, the ADL is …

An organization that brings a voice to those who need it.