Kaitlin Ruiz (she/her) has called Los Angeles her home for over two decades now. Her passions have been shaped primarily by her upbringing especially as a daughter of immigrants and as a close witness to the harsh realities of the injustice system. Determined to make a difference in the communities she is a part of, Kaitlin changed paths from her corporate world background and joined La Defensa bringing with her over 6 years worth of professional experience in administration, operations, and organizational development.

Kaitlin graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies and is currently pursuing a masters degree in Organizational Leadership with a specialization in HR management.