www.negociosnow.com
March 2023 47
Age: 39
Title: Managing Director
Organization: Mikva Challenge
As managing director of Illi-
nois programs at Mikva Cha-
llenge, Carla Rubalcava sets
the vision and direction for
Mikva Illinois' youth-facing
programs, elevates the work
of youth program facilitators,
and oversees Mikva's school-
based classroom initiatives.
Before joining Mikva Challen-
ge, Rubalcava served as the
director of enrollment mana-
gement at Harold Washing-
ton College, one of the City
Colleges of Chicago. As an
administrator she led a colle-
gewide committee that desig-
ned a framework for student
recruitment and established
goal-specific strategies for the
college's strategic three-year
enrollment plan.
She has been exposed to all
areas of a nonprofit organiza-
tion, and her experiences have
allowed her to develop strong
organizational, administrati-
ve, and critical thinking skills.
Rubalcava began her career
as a community organizer
in the city's northside neigh-
borhoods of Uptown, Rogers
Park, and West Ridge. She
then joined the Association
for Child Development as the
director of nutrition services.
After that, she spent the next
six years working at the Aca-
demy for Urban School Lea-
dership and Holy Trinity High
School, focusing on commu-
nity engagement and student
recruitment.
Rubalcava earned a
bachelor's degree from the
University of Illinois Cham-
paign-Urbana. In addition to
her work at Mikva Challenge,
Rubalcava serves on the as-
sociate board of Erie Family
Health Centers and sits on the
steering committee for the
University of Chicago Consor-
tium on School Research.
WORDS OF WISDOM:
"G
reat things are best
accomplished in partnership.
Be intentional about building your
network and seeking connections
with diverse stakeholders as
a source of both private and
professional strength."
Carla Rubalcava
Inspiring
youth
involvement
