Dr. Martina Ayala

Dr. Martina Ayala is the Executive Director at Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts.

She is a visionary leader, founder and pioneer of innovative programs and schools, consultant, and management executive of 35 years, working for different institutions of higher education, and social service nonprofits serving inter-generational multicultural communities.

An award-winning filmmaker, recognized educator, and community leader, she has curated art exhibits in San Francisco and Los Angeles focusing on the Day of the Dead, gentrification, curanderismo and women. Dr. Ayala has produced numerous concerts and cultural events through Martina La Latina Productions throughout the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Mexico.

She is an academic scholar and activist that holds a Doctorate in International and Multicultural Education from the University of San Francisco. Her life’s work has focused on Chicano film, spirituality, literacy through the arts, and issues related to education, inclusion, social justice, immigrants, people of color, family strengthening, resilience and trauma informed care.

Dr. Ayala is an inspirational and transformative leader and coach; her work supports those who are seeking to discover their life purpose and personal truth. She is committed to creating supportive and equitable spaces for artists and providing access to quality cultural art programming for families in San Francisco.