Daily Inspiration: Meet Ivette Lopez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivette Lopez.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I actually started my career in journalism. I worked at NPR, completely convinced I was going to be a war correspondent one day, a dream my parents were not thrilled about, to put it gently.

I grew up in Fresno, where the divide between people who had a lot and people who had very little was impossible to ignore. I realized early on that information, and more importantly the way information moves, has the power to shift entire communities. That understanding shaped everything for me.

At 20, I packed up my little car, moved to LA, and never looked back. My first real job was in sports production at TimeWarner Cable, hauling cables up and down football fields and learning how to write for tape. I was one of only two women on my team, so I learned very quickly what it feels like to be the only woman in the room and how to make sure my voice carried anyway.

I always joke that I feel like I’ve lived nine lives in one, because I’ve worked in so many different spaces since those early days in sports. I’ve been fortunate to work in different mediums, from print to podcasting. At one point in college I even worked in a flower shop!

Eventually I stumbled into entertainment and landed a job with the wildly talented communications team at Warner Bros. I ended up calling that place home for six years. It was the foundation of everything I know about storytelling, culture building, and navigating big organizations with humanity.

Since leaving Warner Bros., my career has revolved around helping creative people, especially Latino creatives, get the visibility, resources, and industry access they deserve. At this point I have collected jobs in this space like they are Infinity Stones. If the organization has Latino in the name, I have probably worked with them, collaborated with them, or built a program with them. It has become my life’s work, and one of the greatest privileges of my career.

Today I am in this beautiful evolution of creativity, community building, and storytelling, and somehow it feels like everything I have done up to now has been leading me here.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth is not a word I would use to describe my journey. Beautiful, yes. Transformative, absolutely. But smooth, not even close.

I started my career in spaces where I was often the youngest person, the only woman, or the only Latina in the room. That came with a mix of pressure and invisibility. I had to learn how to advocate for myself, how to speak up in rooms that were not built for me, and how to keep going even when I felt underestimated.

Another major challenge has been learning how to care for myself while doing work that is so deeply tied to community. When you are immersed in this space, you have to stay aware that your needs, your bandwidth, and your mental health also matter. Our community is passionate and giving, which is beautiful, but it can sometimes open the door for people, even from within our own circles, to take advantage. I learned the hard way that just because something has Latino in the name, it does not always mean it is truly for us. And that is completely ok. It is part of growing up professionally and personally.

The biggest obstacle to uncover is learning who we are outside of the work. We are multi-passionate, multi-hyphenate, nuanced humans, and our worth is not defined by our output or our affiliations. The most important thing is never to forget how we make people feel, and to stay grounded in the integrity and joy that brought us into this work in the first place.

Every challenge taught me something about resilience, boundaries, and the importance of creating community with intention. The road has not been smooth, but it has shaped me into a stronger, clearer version of myself.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work lives at the intersection of creativity, community, and operations. I am officially the Director of Operations at Latinas Acting Up, which still feels surreal to say out loud. After freelancing for the last few years, it feels incredibly grounding to call LAU home for a long minute. I want to give the deepest thanks to Diana Maria Riva and Lisa Vidal for trusting me with this role and welcoming me into a community that is bold, loving, and full of purpose.

Alongside my work at LAU, I have the privilege of working with Tomorrow’s Filmmakers Today presented at Hola Mexico. I cannot speak about TFT without getting emotional. This program has truly saved my life in more ways than one. The camaraderie, the love, the support, the creativity, the dedication from the filmmakers and the team have been some of the brightest highlights of my recent years. Every cohort is a reminder of what tenacity and resilience look like in real time. They are a second family to me, and I love them deeply. They inspire me to show up as my best self every single day.

I also partner with Friends of Julie, supporting their heartfelt and powerful programming. I want to thank Jolene Rodriguez for taking me in with such warmth and trust. Working with her and the entire Friends of Julie team has been a privilege and a beautiful reminder of what community leadership in action looks like. Their work honors Jolene’s twin sister Julie in a way that moves people and creates real opportunities for artists. Being part of that mission has been one of my great joys.

And of course, I want to acknowledge NALIP and Diana Luna, who gave me opportunities that changed the course of my life. Their trust in me allowed me to work on a range of events and initiatives that helped me grow as both a leader and a human being. I carry that gratitude with me always.

In my work, I specialize in designing and producing experiences that help creative people shine. I operate across communications, strategy, event production and community building. I am known for being equal parts structure and heart, the person who can run the logistical engine while also creating a space where people feel valued, understood, and celebrated.

I am most proud of the access points I help build for Latino creatives. Whether through industry forums, fellowships, mentorship programs, or festivals, I love being the person who connects emerging storytellers to the relationships and opportunities that can transform their careers.

What sets me apart is my ability to lead with clarity, empathy, and humor. I am a storyteller by nature and an operator by training. I understand people and I understand systems, and I find joy in weaving the two together. I believe deeply in integrity, collaboration, and creating environments that feel alive with possibility. In other words, I’m your favorite ‘corporate Tia’ whose door is always open at any time, or any place.

At the core of everything I do is a simple mission. I want our community to win, to grow, and to feel seen. And I am committed to building spaces where that can happen in a real and lasting way.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is living a life with purpose, where people feel seen and community feels alive. I am driven by the belief that every single person carries a story worth honoring. If I can help someone feel valued, if I can open a door for them, or if I can help create a community that supports their dreams, then that is enough for me. Purpose, connection, and care are my compass.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ivettelopez.com
• Instagram: ivettieee
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/i-lopez/

Image Credits
Headshot Courtesy of Armando Ibanez