Meet Our Staff

Ricardo Flores was named Executive Director of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) San Diego in April 2017. He joined the non-profit funding agency after serving for 12 years in leading roles with top San Diego elected officials.

In his role, Mr.  Flores oversees LISC’s extensive network of investment-based collaborations that support San Diego’s underserved neighborhoods, including City Heights, Colina Park, and Greater Logan Heights. LISC San Diego supports neighborhood revitalization efforts by assisting community groups through financing, grants, loans and equity capital, in addition to providing technical and management assistance, training opportunities, and additional resources.

A native of City Heights, Ricardo and his wife live in Kensington. Prior to serving as Councilmember Emerald’s chief of staff, Flores was a senior aide to Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-CA), dating back to 2005.  Flores has always taken an active role in his community. A long-time Meals on Wheels volunteer, he also served on numerous advisory boards and committees including the San Diego Chicano Democratic Association; San Diego Community College District; and United Way Plan to End Chronic Homelessness Resource.

After graduating from UCLA with a BA degree in Theatre, Film & Television, Flores spent several years in Los Angeles as a production assistant, most notably on the movie “Shrek 2” (2004). He also taught English in Barcelona, Spain.

DIRECT LINE: (619) 541-8017

Karina Velazquez joined LISC San Diego in July 2017. She oversees multiple programs including AmeriCorps, Business Development Organizations network, Financial Opportunities Center/Bridges to Career Opportunities, SEED, and our grants portfolio.

Prior to joining LISC, Karina was Program Manager at the Diamond Business Association, where she directed a number of economic development initiatives and coordinated several large events such as the Diamond Street Festival, Taste of the Diamond, and quarterly networking mixers. Notably, before being hired full-time at the Diamond Business Association, Karina was served as their LISC AmeriCorps member for 10-months. 

Karina is a double-major graduate of the University of California Berkeley, with a BA in Chicano Studies and a BA in Political Science. Karina has interned for several elected officials across various levels of government and has also volunteered on a multitude of political campaigns. 

DIRECT LINE: (619) 541-8016

Jimmy Chen, graduated from University of California San Diego in 2010 with a degree in Economic Management Science. Jimmy has been in the lending industry for over 10 years, working for Wells Fargo as a loan officer and Loan Depot as a loan underwriter helping to provide for the lending needs for borrowers.

Jimmy has been in San Diego for over 20 years, and has strong connections with local San Diego communities. In his free time, Jimmy enjoys watching drama, movies, sports events, and outdoor activities

Jimmy joined LISC team as Lending Program Officer, providing lending focus on affordable housing, small business, charter school, and mission driven projects. Jimmy also works on the San Diego Foundation Access Granted Homebuyer Program, which provides down payment assistance to underserved first-time homebuyers.

Ivonne Rojas joined the LISC San Diego team in July 2022. Prior to LISC, Ivonne spent five years with Casa Familiar, the San Ysidro-based social service organization. In her role, she served as a Social Services Supervisor and Program Manager for the agency’s Immigration and Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) departments. In addition, she supervised the AmeriCorps member, as well as FOC staffers. LISC and Casa Familiar have long been closely aligned to offer a wide range of programs for low-income South County individuals and families.

A bilingual graduate of San Diego State University with a degree in social work, Ivonne will coordinate many of LISC’s outreach efforts.

Maya Vargas is a recent grad of San Diego State's Public Administration master's program. She previously worked for the County of San Diego as a Graduate Student Worker supporting projects focused on workforce development and developing communication materials.

Prior to this she served as an AmeriCorps VISTA with the University of San Diego and a local nonprofit. During her time of service, she supported the local efforts to form a new nonprofit that would start-up the local farmers market. During her free time, she enjoys the sunny San Diego weather (especially by catching a Padres game), reading, and staying active by going to the gym.