United Way of Santa Cruz County Welcomes Yvette Lopez Brooks as New CEO

CAPITOLA, CA — United Way of Santa Cruz County is proud to announce the appointment of Yvette Lopez Brooks as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective February 3, 2025. This marks an exciting new chapter for the organization as Brooks brings extensive experience in community leadership, strategic vision, and a deep passion for making a difference to this pivotal role.

United Way of Santa Cruz County CEO, Yvette Brooks.

Brooks recently stepped down from her position as Mayor of Capitola to dedicate herself to this new opportunity fully. “Stepping into this role as CEO of United Way of Santa Cruz County is an incredible honor and a natural extension of my commitment to this community,” Brooks said.

“While stepping down from the City Council was not an easy decision, I am excited to embrace this new opportunity to serve the entire county. United Way’s mission to ignite our community to give, advocate, and volunteer resonates deeply with me, and I look forward to dedicating my efforts to ensuring our youth succeed in school and life, our residents are healthy, and our families achieve financial independence.

”Brooks served as a two-term Capitola City Council Member from 2018 to 2025, serving twice as Mayor during that time. Her leadership in Capitola was marked by a commitment to equity, collaboration, and innovative policymaking. She successfully championed projects such as Capitola’s first universally designed playground and spearheaded initiatives fostering inclusivity and diversity within city governance.

With over 15 years of experience at the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, Brooks has been at the forefront of championing equitable access to education and resources for students.

For over three years, she has served as the Executive Director of Your Future Is Our Business (YFIOB), where she implemented work-based learning initiatives connecting Santa Cruz County students with career opportunities and mentorships. Under her leadership, YFIOB hosted career panels, job expos, and fostered partnerships with local businesses to prepare students for fulfilling careers.

The United Way of Santa Cruz County’s Board of Directors expressed their enthusiasm for the appointment: "We are thrilled to welcome Yvette Brooks as the new Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Santa Cruz County. Her proven leadership and deep connections within our community align perfectly with our mission to ignite our community to give, advocate, and volunteer. The Board of Directors is confident that under Yvette's guidance, United Way will continue to strengthen its vital work in ensuring our youth succeed in school and life, our residents are healthy, and our families are financially independent. We look forward to working together to create lasting positive change in Santa Cruz County.

“Brooks’ appointment underscores a renewed commitment to addressing the community’s most pressing challenges, including youth opportunities, economic stability, and equitable access to resources. Her vision for United Way includes strengthening collaborations with local partners and expanding impactful programs like Jóvenes Sanos, Youth Action Network, and United 4 Youth to reach more underserved communities.

Reflecting on her role, Brooks stated, “Together with the United Way team, I look forward to building a healthier and more equitable future for Santa Cruz County, ensuring that every resident has access to the tools and resources they need to thrive. I am honored to serve in this capacity and continue creating opportunities for youth, families, and communities across the region.“

About United Way of Santa Cruz County

United Way of Santa Cruz County (UWSCC) serves youth, families, and residents throughout the Santa Cruz County area. They unite the community to give, advocate, and volunteer so that youth succeed in school and life, residents are healthy, and families are financially independent.

UWSCC’s vision is a thriving, healthy, and safe Santa Cruz County for all. Under the leadership of CEO Yvette Brooks, UWSCC provides critical access to resources through 2-1-1 and youth programming initiatives, supporting underserved and underrepresented students across the community. For more information, visit unitedwaysc.org.